Kinetic energy system and method for hybrid machine
First Claim
1. A kinetic energy system, comprising:
- a power source,multiple flywheels, each flywheel having a drive gear and clutch unit;
a transmission selectively driven by the power source, and selectively and operatively connected to each flywheel to drive or be driven by each flywheel; and
a controller communicatively connected to the transmission and each flywheel, and configured to generate signals to selectively connect the power source to the transmission to drive the transmission, and generate signals to selectively and sequentially connect the transmission to each of the flywheels.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A kinetic energy system incorporates multiple flywheels, each flywheel situated and adapted to develop and store kinetic energy, and to subsequently impart that energy to move a work machine. Each flywheel is controlled by an ECM to operate in a selective sequence with respect to any of the other flywheels. Each flywheel has its own individual external gear and clutch unit adapted to be in communication with a commonly shared continuously variable transmission. The plurality of flywheels may be operated sequentially to develop, store, and dispense kinetic energy equivalently to that of a substantially larger unitary flywheel. In the disclosed embodiment and method of operation, the flywheel system may be employed with a traditional internal combustion engine to produce a hybrid motive source, with capability for effectively meeting transient load demands of an off-road work machine.
25 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A kinetic energy system, comprising:
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a power source, multiple flywheels, each flywheel having a drive gear and clutch unit; a transmission selectively driven by the power source, and selectively and operatively connected to each flywheel to drive or be driven by each flywheel; and a controller communicatively connected to the transmission and each flywheel, and configured to generate signals to selectively connect the power source to the transmission to drive the transmission, and generate signals to selectively and sequentially connect the transmission to each of the flywheels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A kinetic energy system for a hybrid work machine, comprising:
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a power source; a flywheel system comprising multiple flywheels, each having a drive gear and clutch unit; a transmission selectively driven by the power source, and selectively and operatively connected to each flywheel to drive or be driven by each flywheel; and a controller communicatively connected to the transmission and each flywheel, and configured to generate signals to selectively connect the power source to the transmission to drive the transmission, and generate signals to selectively and sequentially connect the transmission to each of the flywheels. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of using a kinetic energy system, comprising the steps of:
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providing multiple flywheels in a work machine, with each flywheel having a drive gear; providing a CVT with a gear in engagement with each of the flywheel drive gears; providing a system of individual flywheel clutch packs, each clutch pack situated between a flywheel gear and associated flywheel to engage and control rotation of that one flywheel; providing an ECM to monitor and control the CVT to simultaneously and individually control each flywheel clutch pack so as to enable the CVT to sequentially engage each clutch pack to develop kinetic energy sequentially in each flywheel; and the ECM subsequently controlling the CVT and each flywheel clutch pack to transfer kinetic energy sequentially from each flywheel to provide motive power to the work machine during transient periods of power demand. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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20. A method of recovering stored kinetic energy in a machine having work functions, comprising:
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selectively driving a transmission with a first flywheel; selectively driving the transmission with a second flywheel; selectively driving the output of a power source with the transmission to augment the power source and increase power available for the work functions.
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21. A method of storing kinetic energy in a machine having work functions, comprising:
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selectively driving a transmission with a power source when the power source produces greater power than needed for the work functions; selectively driving a first flywheel with the transmission; and selectively driving a second flywheel with the transmission.
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Specification