High-Performance Flywheel Hybrid Powertrain

Abstract

The high efficiency of the flywheel hybrid powertrain, as well as its power characteristics, can help to meet high energy/power conversion needs, which may prove to be promising. Moreover, the flywheel hybrid powertrain may reduce dependence on batteries. This paper presents the EC-BERS in order to capture more mechanical power than its rated power, and to reduce the charge/discharge cycles of the battery. In this new energy recovery system, maximum torque can be obtained in the higher speed zone, leading to two marked improvements in terms of improving the braking efficiency. The working point of the system changes and shifts to the high-speed zone to meet the maximum torque at higher speeds. Furthermore, this powertrain can transfer the vehicle kinetic energy into the flywheel directly in the same form. Only the slip energy needs to be dealt with in the electrical form, which is beneficial to prolonging the battery life. Two typical systems were emulated under the same conditions to verify this feature, and a small prototype was designed to prove the concept.