Fly wheel bicycle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYFDIiBIwLw
The basic idea behind flywheel technology is storing massive amounts of energy in a spinning disc. One of the big advantages of a system like this is that it is entirely mechanical, as opposed to chemical (or batteries). In a mechanical system, everything can be monitered and maintained. In other words, the fly wheel might fail, but it is not going to fail for no reason. We will be able to moniter each system and know if something is going worng and fix it before the system fails.
The basic idea behind flywheel technology is storing massive amounts of energy in a spinning disc. One of the big advantages of a system like this is that it is entirely mechanical, as opposed to chemical (or batteries). In a mechanical system, everything can be monitered and maintained. In other words, the fly wheel might fail, but it is not going to fail for no reason. We will be able to moniter each system and know if something is going worng and fix it before the system fails.
This is a much more efficient way of storing energy than a battery, but it does have its draw backs. In order to store the necessary amounts of energy to move a car or truck, the flywheel has to be very big. Because of this, the idea for using flywheels seems more practical for trains and possibly 18 wheelers, or any transportation device that is big enough to contain a massive flywheel.
My design will be focused around two aspects. First; a rail system designed for the convenience of everyone in College Station and Bryan. Second; interstate traffic of big trucks that could utilize this technology efficiently. The majority of transportation will be on a sort of "bus route" systems. Personal cars will exist in my scenario, but they will be less common and be run of a different energy source than my fuel station. There will be many of these rail trains that run 24 hours a day. They will come to the fuel station once every couple of days to have their flywheel spun and be able to run off that for the next couple of days. All of these trains will have extremely efficient regenerative braking systems so that making stops does not eat away at their efficiency.
My fuel station will feature a tremendous transmission where these rail trains and interstate trucks will pull up and hook into it to have their flywheel spun. The fuel station will have a nuclear reactor as its initial energy source to power its transmissions along with the stations personal electricity.
Flywheel Bicycle travel will also be emphasized. My group is designing a trail system for our site that will show how bicycle travel will work in my flywheel scenario. The video above shows an actual flywheel bicycle. When this technology is more advanced I think this method of travel could be a very efficient and practical.
Professor Habaerl has recommended me to talk with Professor Pallazeo, who is researching flywheels here on the A&M Campus. He is in the mechanical engineering department and I plan on paying him a visit Monday of next week. I think he will be a good resource to check the practicality of my designs.
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