FLYWHEEL-HEAT ENGINE POWER FOR AN ENERGY-ECONOMIC PERSONAL VEHICLE

New materials and energy problems are increasing the feasibility of using flywheel energy storage systems to power personal automobiles. A promising concept appears to be the combination of the high specific power density of a flywheel with the high specific energy density of a small heat engine. A technical and fuel economy assessment of a small personal vehicle powered by a hybrid flywheel/heat engine drive system is presented. Technical evaluations indicate that a flywheel/heat engine system based on improved materials technology could serve as a practical vehicle drive. While somewhat limited in performance, the proposed system could produce significant improvements in fuel consumption rates. Technological advancements in materials and power transmission systems would make flywheel/heat engine systems even more attractive. (ERA citation 01:023601)

• Corporate Authors:

  Batelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Northwest Labs

  Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999
  Richland, WA  United States  99352

  Energy Research and Development Administration

  20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Loscutoff, W V
• Publication Date: 1976-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 48 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Energy; Energy storage systems; Feasibility analysis; Flywheels; Fuel conservation; Fuel consumption; Handling and storage; Heat engines; Hybrid vehicles; Materials; Performance; Personal rapid transit; Storage facilities; Vehicle performance
• Uncontrolled Terms: Hybrid systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Personal transit
• Subject Areas: Energy; Freight Transportation; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00146725
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: E(45-1)-1830
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM