The application of a band variable-inertia flywheel to an urban transit bus

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5307172

Moosavi-Rad, H

By means of computer simulation, the potential of a Band Variable-Inertia Flywheel (BVIF) to store energy for an urban transit bus was studied. Replacing both a fixed-inertia flywheel (FIF) and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Band Variable-Inertia Flywheel is capable of accelerating a vehicle from rest to a nearly-constant speed, while recovering part of the kinetic energy normally dissipated through braking during the deceleration of the vehicle. After each stop, the stored energy is released to accelerate the vehicle during its next cycle of motion. This type of hybrid propulsion is regarded as particularly suitable for large buses with regular stop-start operation in city traffic. The performance of the BVIF-integrated bus was evaluated with respect to a comparable conventionally-powered bus. Three alternative designs for a BVIF-integrated bus are proposed and discussed with regard to potential and limitations; the most feasible and efficient design is subjected to computer performance evaluation. The results of this computer simulation show a fuel saving of up to 30 percent with the BVIF-integrated system. The regenerative braking system is shown to reduce brake wear by a factor of five in comparison with the conventional vehicle, and brake maintenance costs were also projected to decrease significantly.

• Research Organization: Oregon State Univ., Corvallis, OR (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5307172
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250500 -- Energy Storage-- Flywheels
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330500* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Flywheel Propulsion
BUSES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEEL-POWERED VEHICLES
FLYWHEELS
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
PERFORMANCE
SIMULATION
STORAGE
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
VEHICLES