🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1992Dec13.114534.961@cmkrnl.com> jeh@cmkrnl.com writes:
>In article <Bz6nuM.LCo@acsu.buffalo.edu>, v064mb9k@ubvmsd.cc.buffalo.edu 
>(NEIL GANDLER) writes:
>>  I just have finished reading the latest Popular Science issue. Jan 93.
>> On p. 27 they discuss flywheel power as a possible energy source for 
>> future Ev's. Claimed advantges are a cruising rnage of over 600 miles
>
>It isn't exactly "new" -- PS had a cover story on flywheel-based EVs something
>like 20 or 30 years ago.  At that time there was a small fleet of
>flywheel-driven streetcars in, I believe, Denmark. These did not use a
>high-tech flywheel and could run for only ten minutes or so away from the power
>source -- but that was sufficient to allow them to leave the overhead power
>lines for a block or two. 

Just coincidentally I was reading through the November 1958 issue
of Popular Science.  On page 139 is a photo of a little electric
locomotive with this caption:

Flywheel-driven engine.

This gyro-electric locomotive needs no
overhead trolley.  It is driven by a fly-
wheel that turns a generator to supply
current, as in the drawing at left.
  At stops five miles apart, overhead
pickup arms connect with conductors to
renew the charge.  The generator then acts
as a motor to reaccelerate the flywheel.
The locomotive is built by Oerlikon of
Zurich for Swiss mines and steelworks.

The diagram shows the flywheel mounted with its shaft vertical, on
a spring suspension. 


--
Dave Angus                                   "Kundalini wants his hand back"