Energy Recovery Systems for Vehicles and Vehicle Wheels Comprising the Same
First Claim
1. A wheel assembly for a vehicle comprising a rim and an energy recovery system, the energy recovery system comprising a flywheel, a continuously variable planetary (CVP), a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set, wherein:
- the flywheel is substantially concentric with the rim and operable to rotate relative to the rim;
the CVP is positioned within the flywheel and is operable to transmit rotational motion between the flywheel and the rim;
the first planetary gear set is disposed in the flywheel and rotationally coupled to the rim and the CVP such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP and the rim is transmitted through the first planetary gear set;
the second planetary gear set is disposed in the flywheel and rotationally coupled to the CVP, the rim and the flywheel such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP, the rim and the flywheel is transmitted through the second planetary gear set, wherein;
when a magnitude of an angular velocity of the rim is greater than a magnitude of an angular velocity of the flywheel, kinetic energy from the rim is imparted to the flywheel and stored as mechanical potential energy; and
when the magnitude of the angular velocity of the rim is less than the magnitude of the angular velocity of the flywheel, mechanical potential energy stored in the flywheel is imparted to the rim thereby accelerating the rim.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a rim and an energy recovery system. The energy recovery system includes a flywheel, a continuously variable planetary (CVP), a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set. The flywheel is substantially concentric with the rim and operable to rotate relative to the rim. The CVP is positioned within the flywheel and is operable to transmit rotational motion between the flywheel and the rim. The first planetary gear set is rotationally coupled to the rim and the CVP such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP and the rim is transmitted through the first planetary gear set. The second planetary gear set is rotationally coupled to the CVP, the rim and the flywheel such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP, the rim and the flywheel is transmitted through the second planetary gear set.
157 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A wheel assembly for a vehicle comprising a rim and an energy recovery system, the energy recovery system comprising a flywheel, a continuously variable planetary (CVP), a first planetary gear set, and a second planetary gear set, wherein:
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the flywheel is substantially concentric with the rim and operable to rotate relative to the rim; the CVP is positioned within the flywheel and is operable to transmit rotational motion between the flywheel and the rim; the first planetary gear set is disposed in the flywheel and rotationally coupled to the rim and the CVP such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP and the rim is transmitted through the first planetary gear set; the second planetary gear set is disposed in the flywheel and rotationally coupled to the CVP, the rim and the flywheel such that rotational motion transmitted between the CVP, the rim and the flywheel is transmitted through the second planetary gear set, wherein; when a magnitude of an angular velocity of the rim is greater than a magnitude of an angular velocity of the flywheel, kinetic energy from the rim is imparted to the flywheel and stored as mechanical potential energy; and when the magnitude of the angular velocity of the rim is less than the magnitude of the angular velocity of the flywheel, mechanical potential energy stored in the flywheel is imparted to the rim thereby accelerating the rim. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 18, 19, 20)
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10. An energy recovery system comprising a flywheel, a continuously variable planetary (CVP), a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, and an input/output coupling configured for connection to a source of rotational motion, wherein:
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the first planetary gear set rotationally couples the CVP to the input/output coupling; the second planetary gear set rotationally couples the CVP to the flywheel and the input/output coupling to the flywheel; and the CVP is operable to transmit rotational motion between the flywheel and the input/output coupling, the CVP comprising an idler ring, a plurality of roller elements, an input ring and an output ring, wherein; the idler ring is concentric with the flywheel and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation of energy recovery system; the plurality of roller elements are pivotally positioned on the idler ring and operable to roll on the idler ring, wherein the idler ring is axially displaceable with respect to the roller elements such that a tilt angle between the roller elements and the idler ring is adjustable; the input ring is frictionally engaged with the roller elements and rotationally coupled to the first planetary gear set such that the input ring is operable to transmit rotational motion between the first planetary gear set and the roller elements; and the output ring is frictionally engaged with the roller elements and rotationally coupled to the second planetary gear set such that the output ring is operable to transmit rotational motion between the second planetary gear set and the roller elements. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification