An apparatus is provided comprising a flywheel (112) for storing kinetic energy and an electrical machine (190) mechanically coupled to the flywheel and arranged for conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. The apparatus is arranged for transferring energy between the flywheel and a vehicle transmission via a variable ratio transmission (182). The electrical machine is coupled to the flywheel via a disconnect clutch which comprises a magnetic coupling (116).

A flywheel module comprises a coupling unit which has an input shaft and an output shaft. This coupling unit has a first coupling of which a first coupling half can be connected to a combustion engine and a second coupling half can be connected to a continuously variable transmission. The flywheel module further comprises a flywheel unit which has an in/output and is formed by a flywheel and a reduction gear unit connected to the flywheel. This flywheel unit is exclusively connected to the in/output via the coupling unit.

A kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) is provided. The KERS (1) comprises a first speed-up gear arrangement (12) having an input (10) connectable to a vehicle powertrain. The KERS further comprises a hydraulic variator made up of first and second bent axis motors (20,22) fluidly connected to one another, wherein at least the first motor (20) is a variable displacement motor, and the first motor (20) is connected to an output of the first speed-up gear arrangement (12). A second speed-up gear arrangement (34) has an input connected to the second motor (22). At least one flywheel (52) is connected to an output of the second speed-up gear arrangement (34), where the at least one flywheel is located in a vacuum within at least one flywheel chamber (58).

The embodiments disclose a method including transferring kinetic energy from a kinetic energy source to a flywheel storage device system, transferring all or a portion of the kinetic energy stored to a continually variable transmission planetary gear system, integrating a multiple axis mechanism kinetic energy transference device to the continually variable transmission planetary gear system, integrating multiple speed governors in the multiple axis mechanism kinetic energy transference device, coupling a computer controlled module to each of the speed governors, processing operational data with the computer controlled modules to determine a measured most efficient use of the kinetic energy for each operation, transmitting the operation measured most efficient use amount of the kinetic energy from the computer controlled module to the corresponding speed governor, transferring the amount of the kinetic energy through gears and output shafts/drive shafts to serve operations and storing surplus kinetic energy not needed for operations in the flywheel storage system.

A continuously variable transmission system for a vehicle comprising a continuously variable transmission with plural sensors configured to collect vehicle data and quantities of regenerated energy recovered, an energy control module coupled to the plural sensors and configured to analyze the vehicle data to determine a net amount of energy used less an energy regenerated amount, a preferred travel route and an estimated cost for the vehicle to travel on the preferred travel route, a navigation controller coupled to the energy control module and configured to navigate the vehicle along the preferred travel route, a display device coupled to the navigation controller and configured to display the estimated cost and the preferred travel route in real-time on an interactive map and a mobile device configured to display on the mobile device in real time the estimated cost and the preferred travel route and to alter the preferred travel route.

A speed reduction power unit system includes a main power unit operably connected to a vehicle battery and operably connected to a vehicle transmission via a driveshaft. The main power unit includes a primary motor adapted to convert kinetic energy from the transmission to stored electrical potential energy for recharging the vehicle battery. Secondary power units are operably connected to each wheel. Each secondary power unit includes a secondary motor adapted to convert energy to electrical potential energy. The secondary power unit engages to slow the vehicle and generate electrical energy when the vehicle brake is activated. Each secondary power unit is operably connected to the vehicle battery, such that each secondary unit can recharge the vehicle battery. The secondary power units can include internal batteries and may be removable and independently recharged, then reconnected to the system as needed to provide electrical energy to the primary vehicle battery.

A power flywheel motor is generally disclosed. In use, a flywheel assembly includes at least one motor-generator and a housing adapted to receive the flywheel assembly. The flywheel assembly is rotatable in the housing about a central axis. The motor-generator is configured to convert between electrical energy and kinetic energy associated with a rotation of the flywheel assembly.

Assembly (1) comprising at least one vehicle wheel (2), adapted to rotate about a vehicle wheel axis (X2) and adapted to perform an at least rolling movement on a travel surface for the vehicle; at least one flywheel (4), adapted to rotate about a flywheel axis (X4) which can be operatively connected to said at least one vehicle wheel (2), in such way the vehicle wheel (2) can transmit kinetic energy to the flywheel (4); at least one kinetic energy recovery device (10), operatively associated with said flywheel (4) and adapted to store the kinetic energy transmitted to said at flywheel (4), to make it available for subsequent uses; at least one clutch (8), adapted to connect and disconnect selectively and operatively said vehicle wheel (2) and said flywheel (4), in order to uncouple said flywheel (4) from said vehicle wheel (2), to allow said flywheel (4) to rotate due to inertia when the vehicle wheel (2) is stopped, and in such way to couple said vehicle wheel (2) when is standstill to said flywheel (4) rotating due to inertia, to transfer a start-up rotational motion from said flywheel (4) to said vehicle wheel (2).

A power flywheel motor is generally disclosed. In use, a flywheel assembly includes at least one motor-generator and a housing adapted to receive the flywheel assembly. The flywheel assembly is rotatable in the housing about a central axis. The motor-generator is configured to convert between electrical energy and kinetic energy associated with a rotation of the flywheel assembly.

A transmission for an energy storage and recovery system comprises a variable slip transmission and a clutch arranged to transmit drive while slipping. The level of torque transmitted through the slipping clutch is dependent on the clutch force but is independent of the clutch slip speed. Preferably the clutch is provided by a plurality of clutches connected in parallel in a range extender. When drive is transferred between clutches in parallel, the clutch forces of both clutches are controlled to maintain the total torque transmitted by the clutches. This reduces torque fluctuations at the energy source/sink during clutch transfer. Where there are two slipping clutches in series, one clutch is controlled to provide the required torque and the other clutch is controlled in response to a clutch slip speed. This helps to control the speed of rotation of the mass between the clutches.