Variable inertia energy storage system
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an energy storage system and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a variable inertia energy storage system for storing large amounts of mechanical energy for an extended period of time on land or on a mobile vehicle. 
     Heretofore there have been a large number of different methods used and systems proposed for storing electrical power. These systems include the classical methods associated with nuclear power generating stations along with fuel cells, solar cells, conductors, capacitors and batteries. 
     Also there have been various types of methods used to store power including the use of high speed flywheels. Flywheels have long been used for storing mechanical power. These devices are designed to withstand forces associated with rotational rates of several thousand of revolutions per minute. The forces associated with these high speeds are destructive in nature and relatively minor structural defects can cause catastrophic failures. 
     In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,509,006 and 4,546,264 the subject inventor discloses alternate energy storage systems for storing both mechanical and electrical energy in different types of land and space environments. The subject invention is a substantial improvement and an extension of the state of the art energy storage systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject variable inertia energy storage system provides a means to store mechanical energy at reduced rpms. Further, the system is adaptable for land use or on mobile vehicles such as a truck, a train, a boat and other types of mobile equipment. 
     The storage system includes an enclosed circular housing disposed on a mounted base. A vacuum system may be applied to the enclosed housing for reducing pressure on the equipment therein. A rotatable central hub is mounted inside the housing and includes a plurality of equally spaced spokes extending outwardly therefrom. A movable mass is mounted on each of the spokes. A reversible drive motor for moving the mass along the length of each spoke is attached to one end of each spoke. A structural ring or hoop is disposed inside the housing and adjacent the outwardly extending ends of the spokes. The hoop is adapted for receiving rotor-mounted motor/generator elements thereon and complementary motor/generator elements are mounted on the inner periphery of the housing adjacent the hoop for generating electricity or a rotation force at the command of an electrical controller. The controller includes an individual power controller, speed controller and vacuum pump controller for regulating the enclosed storage system. 
     The advantages and objects of the invention will become evident from the following detailed description of the drawings when read in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a top and side view of the storage system. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged side view of an outwardly extending spoke formed as a lead screw with a movable mass and a position scale. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the movable masses. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In FIGS. 1A and 1B the variable inertia energy storage system is designated by general reference numeral 10. The system 10 includes an enclosed housing 12 having a central hub 14 centered therein. The hub 14 includes a plurality of spokes 16 extending outwardly therefrom and having a movable mass 18 mounted thereon. The central hub 14 includes reversible drive motors 20 for moving the masses 18 along the length of the spokes 16. FIG. 3 shows the movement of masses 18 along spokes 16. 
     Disposed around the outer ends of the spokes 18 is a structural ring or hoop 22 having a plurality of rotor mounted motor/generator elements 24 mounted therearound. Also disposed in a spaced relationship around an outer periphery 26 of the housing 12 are complementary motor/generator elements 27. 
     Attached to the central hub 14 are slip rings 28 or an optical equivalent for control of the hub&#39;s drive mechanism. Also included are an optional slip ring power interface 30. 
     The storage system 10 is controlled by a central controller 32 shown in dotted lines and having a power controller 34, a speed controller 36 and a vacuum pump controller 38. The power controller 34 regulates a user power requirement indicated by arrow 40 along with providing power input 42 and electrical power output 44. The vacuum pump controller 38 is connected to vacuum pumps 46. The pumps 46 are used for drawing a vacuum in the housing 12. 
     In operation the power controller 34 positions the movable masses 18 adjacent hub 14 for imitiation of use of system 10 in a motor configuration by energizing electrical elements 24 on hoop 22 and elements 27 on the housing 12. By sequencing the field polarity of elements 27 (or elements 24, if elements 27 are the magnet coils and elements 24 are the complementary field coils) the speed of the hub 14, spokes 16, and thus movable masses 18 is increased. To reduce the electrical power required the movable masses 18 are moved inwardly using lead screws 48 shown in FIG. 2. The lead screws 48 are part of the spokes 16. When the masses 18 are moved inwardly the masses provide a minimum moment of inertia. As the speed of the masses 18 is increased the masses 18 are moved by the reversible drive motors 20 to the outside extremity adjacent the hoop 22 at a rate commanded through a motor drive controller 50 connected to the speed controller 36. 
     To reduce aerodynamic loss and pressure inside the housing 12 vacuum pumps 46 are used and commanded by the vacuum pump controller 38. As an alternative as shown in FIG. 1B, in combination with the vacuum system a low molecular weight gas such as helium in helium bottles 52 can be used in the housing 12 through commands from the controller 32. 
     In FIG. 1B the system 10 is shown with a plurality of counter rotating spokes 16 and masses 18 indicated by arrows 51 and 53. The hub 14 also includes support bearings 55. 
     Changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts or elements of the embodiments as described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention defined in the following claims.