GB2124319A

GB2124319A - Linkwork/flywheel transmission device

Info

Publication number: GB2124319A
Application number: GB08318039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Bishop Darling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-15
Filing date: 1983-07-04
Publication date: 1984-02-15
Also published as: GB8318039D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gravity flywheel device comprising a lever means 2 with spaced apart first and second engagement surfaces 12 and pivotally mounted at a position 5 between said engagement surfaces 12 such that said lever means 2 can extend substantially horizontally in an equilibrated position; first and second rotatably mounted 20 actuator means 16, 17 each having its centre of gravity spaced from its rotational axis 20; a flywheel 18, 19 connected thereto for transmission of driving forces therebetween, and a cam means 13, 14 spaced from said rotational axis for sliding engagement with a respective engagement surface 12 of said lever means 2. The first and second actuators 16, 17 are arranged for synchronous rotation in opposite directions with transmission of driving forces between the respective cam means 13, 14 and engagement surfaces 12 whereby oscillation of the lever 2 about a horizontal axis 5 is converted into rotation of said flywheels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Flywheel transmission device The present invention relates to a flywheel transmission device in which oscillation of a lever is converted into rotation of flywheels.

In particular the present invention provides a gravity flywheel device comprising a lever means with spaced apart first and second engagement surfaces and pivotally mounted at a position between said engagement surfaces such that said lever means can extend substantially horizontally in an equilibrated position, first and second rotatably mounted actuator means each having its centre of gravity spaced from its rotational axis, a flywheel connected thereto for transmission of driving forces therebetween, and a cam means spaced from its rotational axis for sliding engagement with a respective engagement surface of said first and second lever means, the first and second actuators being arranged for synchronous rotation in opposite directions with transmission of driving forces between the respective cam means and engagement surfaces whereby oscillation of said lever about a horizontal axis is converted into rotation of said flywheels.

The device of the present invention has a relatively simple and economic construction and provides a relatively efficient form of transmission between the lever and the flywheels.

Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a flywheel device of the invention; and Fig. 2 is an end view of the device of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 is shown a flywheel device 1 comprising a lever 2 having first and second ends 3, 4 and centrally pivotally mounted 5 on a support 6 (indicated schematically). At each said end 3, 4 is pivotally connected 7 a respective counterbalance weight 8, 9 provided with arcuate guide surfaces 10 on opposite sides for engagement with guide means 11 disposed for guiding the counterbalance weights 8, 9 along generally vertical pathways during oscillation of the lever 2 about its pivotal mounting 5.

The uppermost face of each counterbalance weight 8, 9 constitutes an engagement surface 12 which contacts a cam means in the form of a respective roller 13, 14 mounted on a respective shaft 1 5 projecting to one side of a respective, generally sector shaped, actuator 16, 1 7. The shaft 1 5 extends parallel to the central rotational axis Z-Z of the actuator 1 6 and a respective flywheel 18, 1 9 mounted on a common axle 20, 21 for rotation together with said actuator 18, 19, and radially outwardly of said axis Z-Z. Each said axle 20, 21 is fixedly supported via bearing means 22.

As the flywheel 18, 1 9 and associated actuator 16, 1 7 rotate the respective roller 13, 14 follows a circular pathway in the course of which it rises and falls. The respective flywheels 18, 1 9 and actuators 16, 1 7 are arranged for synchronous rotation in opposite directions so that as the roller 13, engaged counterbalance weight 8 and associated one lever end 3 rise the roller 14, engaged counterbalance weight 9 and associated other lever end 4 fall.

As the two actuators 13, 14 rotate synchronously it will be noted that their centres of gravity oscillate relative to the central pivotal axis 5 of the lever 2 resulting in a periodic variation of the moment exerted thereby on the lever about its pivotal axis 5, the device otherwise being substantially balanced about said pivot 5. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the left hand side actuator 16 is at maximum displacement and the right hand side one at minimum displacement from the central pivotal axis 5. Accordingly the actuators exert respectively maximum and minimum moments resulting in a net turning moment tending to swing the lever 2 anti-clockwise. Thus the left hand end 3 of the lever 2 falls while the right hand end 4 rises, the respective actuators turning anti-clockwise and clockwise respectively.

After 90 of rotation the actuators are respectively in lowermost and uppermost positions and exert equal moments. As rotation continues through a further 900 the lever 2 swings back to the horizontal and the left hand side actuator 1 6 attains a position in which it exerts a minimum moment whilst the right hand one exerts a maximum moment. The net turning moment causes the lever to continue its swinging movement through the horizontal towards its other extreme position and so the cycle continues with the lever oscillating about the horizontal and the actuators and their associated flywheels rotating in opposite directions.

1. A gravity flywheel device comprising a lever means with spaced apart first and second engagement surfaces and pivotally mounted at a position between said engagement surfaces such that said lever means can extend substantially horizontally in an equilibrated position, first and second rotatably mounted actuator means each having its centre of gravity spaced from its rotational axis, a flywheel connected thereto for transmission of driving forces therebetween, and a cam means spaced from its rotational axis for sliding engagement with a respective engagement surface of said lever means, the first and second actuators being arranged for synchronous rotation in opposite directions with transmission of driving forces between the respective cam means and engagement surfaces whereby oscillation of said lever about a horizontal axis is converted into rotation of said flywheels.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said actuator means is generally sector-shaped and is fixedly mounted on a respective pivot shaft at its radially inward corner.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Flywheel transmission device The present invention relates to a flywheel transmission device in which oscillation of a lever is converted into rotation of flywheels. In particular the present invention provides a gravity flywheel device comprising a lever means with spaced apart first and second engagement surfaces and pivotally mounted at a position between said engagement surfaces such that said lever means can extend substantially horizontally in an equilibrated position, first and second rotatably mounted actuator means each having its centre of gravity spaced from its rotational axis, a flywheel connected thereto for transmission of driving forces therebetween, and a cam means spaced from its rotational axis for sliding engagement with a respective engagement surface of said first and second lever means, the first and second actuators being arranged for synchronous rotation in opposite directions with transmission of driving forces between the respective cam means and engagement surfaces whereby oscillation of said lever about a horizontal axis is converted into rotation of said flywheels. The device of the present invention has a relatively simple and economic construction and provides a relatively efficient form of transmission between the lever and the flywheels. Further preferred features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a flywheel device of the invention; and Fig. 2 is an end view of the device of Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 is shown a flywheel device 1 comprising a lever 2 having first and second ends 3, 4 and centrally pivotally mounted 5 on a support 6 (indicated schematically). At each said end 3, 4 is pivotally connected 7 a respective counterbalance weight 8, 9 provided with arcuate guide surfaces 10 on opposite sides for engagement with guide means 11 disposed for guiding the counterbalance weights 8, 9 along generally vertical pathways during oscillation of the lever 2 about its pivotal mounting 5. The uppermost face of each counterbalance weight 8, 9 constitutes an engagement surface 12 which contacts a cam means in the form of a respective roller 13, 14 mounted on a respective shaft 1 5 projecting to one side of a respective, generally sector shaped, actuator 16, 1 7. The shaft 1 5 extends parallel to the central rotational axis Z-Z of the actuator 1 6 and a respective flywheel 18, 1 9 mounted on a common axle 20, 21 for rotation together with said actuator 18, 19, and radially outwardly of said axis Z-Z. Each said axle 20, 21 is fixedly supported via bearing means 22. As the flywheel 18, 1 9 and associated actuator 16, 1 7 rotate the respective roller 13, 14 follows a circular pathway in the course of which it rises and falls. The respective flywheels 18, 1 9 and actuators 16, 1 7 are arranged for synchronous rotation in opposite directions so that as the roller 13, engaged counterbalance weight 8 and associated one lever end 3 rise the roller 14, engaged counterbalance weight 9 and associated other lever end 4 fall. As the two actuators 13, 14 rotate synchronously it will be noted that their centres of gravity oscillate relative to the central pivotal axis 5 of the lever 2 resulting in a periodic variation of the moment exerted thereby on the lever about its pivotal axis 5, the device otherwise being substantially balanced about said pivot 5. In the position shown in Fig. 1 the left hand side actuator 16 is at maximum displacement and the right hand side one at minimum displacement from the central pivotal axis 5. Accordingly the actuators exert respectively maximum and minimum moments resulting in a net turning moment tending to swing the lever 2 anti-clockwise. Thus the left hand end 3 of the lever 2 falls while the right hand end 4 rises, the respective actuators turning anti-clockwise and clockwise respectively. After 90 of rotation the actuators are respectively in lowermost and uppermost positions and exert equal moments. As rotation continues through a further 900 the lever 2 swings back to the horizontal and the left hand side actuator 1 6 attains a position in which it exerts a minimum moment whilst the right hand one exerts a maximum moment. The net turning moment causes the lever to continue its swinging movement through the horizontal towards its other extreme position and so the cycle continues with the lever oscillating about the horizontal and the actuators and their associated flywheels rotating in opposite directions. CLAIMS

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sector-shaped actuator means includes a rotational angle of less than 900.

4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein each said flywheel is fixedly mounted on a respective one of said pivot shafts.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein each said pivot shaft is rotationally mounted in a respective bearing means.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each said engagement surface is provided on a counterbalance weight pivotally connected to an elongate lever member.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein each said counterbalance weight has laterally spaced apart guide surfaces for engagement with respective fixed guide means so as guide said counterbalance weight for approximately vertical movement diving oscillation of the lever means.

8. A gravity flywheel device substantially as described hereinbefore with particular reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.