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Flywheels

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SAJID HUDLI Jan 22, 2000 - 11:00    Re: Flywheel technology for cars FLYWHEEL MANUFACTURING

Sage May 03, 2001 - 15:16    Does anyone know how much these flywheels weigh. It seems to me they have to have substantial mass to store significant energy (even accounting for this somewhat being covered by their high rpm's). I think this is why they are so useful in space, and such stationary exercises. In a car it would sem to add a lot of weight which would need to be moved around. I don't have any facts but am just thinking it might take something over 100lbs spinning to realy get a car moving which is like haveing an extra person in the car all the time. Does anyone have numbers? Is this more than accounted for by the energy saved by storing the braking power otherwise lost. Anygood sites to go to would also be appreciated. I love this kinda of research but get frustrated it stays research so long. Sage

Paul Sedun Jul 20, 2001 - 18:14    If you haven't already, check out the excellent WIRED MAGAZINE article (May 2000) on Jack Bitterly and US Flywheel Systems. I can email it to you if you can't get it.

Alex Dec 04, 2001 - 20:44    Sage - Actually engineers are looking for the LIGHTEST material to build flywheels from. Lightest and strongest, of course. You see, heavier material means bigger centrifugal forces, which tear the flywheel apart much more easily. So don't worry about the flywheel weighing too heavily. The motor/generator, enclosure and power electronics would weigh several times as much. No actual figures, unfortunately. Do a search on "Bitterly, flywheel".

Larry Aug 31, 2002 - 04:59    Sage - The flywheels are replacing several hundred pounds of engine, transmission and exhaust system, probably closer to or even more than 1000 pounds in some cases. One article says that 16 flywheels (around 100 lbs each) could give a maximum of 800 hp when flooring the pedal. Who needs that? Most cars would need only 3 to 6 flywheels, an excellent trade for weight to power ratio. Besides that, you aren't trading mass for mass. The spinning of the flywheel acts as a generator and only transfers power to electric motors to propel the car. Also, braking would be used to add power back to the flywheels to extend their use. I've read 300 to 400 miles per spin up would be average milage per spin up. That's equivalent to a tank of gas, and 15 minutes to re-spin the wheels to maximum makes for a perfect break time on long trips. It's so unbelieveable that the auto manufacturers gave this technology the cold shoulder.

Michael Dec 02, 2002 - 22:41    That is because the big three (Ford, Chrysler and GM) are in bed with the big oil companies. Get a car running on next to nothing as far as expendable fuels go means less profit for the oil companies. That is why you'll never see a car running on just electricity, not in our life time anyway.

simon hudson Oct 01, 2003 - 17:33    I'd just like to say, Flywheel technology is fantastic, and I have no doubt at all that it is a significant advance from chemical energy storage systems like batteries, and as such will allow further electric car development. However, electiric cars are not the future. I find it amazing that everybody harps on about them so much when they have such a fundamental flaw. Energy is always lost during any process of energy conversion. So using electricity to power a motor is one opperation, generating that electricity is another. and to date every method of generating electricity, if it isnt through burning stuff, costs vast ammounts of energy in the manufacture of the solar pannel or the wind turbine. It's all a stop gap sollution. We need a renewable, green source of energy right there, in the vehicle, preferably that extracts it's energy from the atmosphere. Electric cars?.........white elephant?, perhaps a smoke screen if you are a big brother sceptic!? But deffinately not the right future! Simon Wirral, England

Todd Brown Oct 10, 2003 - 23:26    Actually Simon, and others. Current engine technologies can decrease engine weight by up to 2/3rds increasing horsepower by 100%. Also, deisel fuel turbo, and water injection could make for higher output gains. These engines are relatively cheap to build. With this type of motor spinnging (as power maintenance)the flywheel which has generating capacities, or PTO otuput, or whatever, and regenerative braking systems, potential mileage for the average SUV would be 70 or hundred miles to the gallon with conventional fuels. Smaller cars might get 120 or more to the gallon. The power savings of the engine not running under most normal driving conditions, lack of physical power train and it's resistance, and regenerative braking would make for a very friendly machine. Tube frame construction and composite body panels would further enhance the design. Mass production of such a vehicle is probably the single event that will give the human race enough time to develop alternative resources. Imagine, In five years, 40% of car emissions would be eliminated. Because of savings in fossil fuel purchases, any older car would become a museum peice, or junk. After 10 years, even with growing populations, 50% or 60% percent of car emissions could be eliminated. That's the kind of stop gap that makes sense for everyone. And yes, the oil companies ARE in the business of making sure you don't get a car like this. For example, the longer we are in IRAQ, the higher the prices stay for American Oil companies. Pretty simple when you think about it. If anyone would like to invest in the project, I will build, or help build the car. I would need money for materials, a small stipend to make sure my bills can be paid, and access to a mechanical engineer and tooling costs paid for. I would be happy to provide references to research or persons who could prove this technology and idea sound. So, if you have the money and the balls. I'm just your average guy who knows that what's on the T.v. is a bunch of crap. Otherwise, your just another talker. Oh. Simon. Challenge the Paradigm. Even your own. It's not all black and white.

Gennaman Oct 19, 2003 - 17:05    This flywheel power vehicles facinates me, I too have just discovered that old August 1996 Discover magazine article. In this article the interveiwer mentions that the inventer Jack Bitterly was quite cautious about giving too much of his idea out,because of someone stealing it. Now, I need some feedback from the people on here,about ideas such as Jack Bitterly's being bought up,and stored away by huge corporations over the years,because they would either cost them too much money to compete,or just because they wanted to milk the current technology for all it's worth. Yes ,I'd call this a conspiracy,might even go past that and call it criminal.How many of these ideas are locked away,while this planet dies from yesterday's technologies. Can anyone here give me authors and book titles that are along these lines .If you happen to be my age and remember from school the predictions for the turn of the century,you understand the reason why I'm so curious

Pennella Oct 29, 2003 - 04:10    Wow! how expensive is h2O to run in your tank or how realistice id the Mr. Fussion device from Back to the Future II? Just your average teacher.

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