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Thread: Flywheel-powered bus - photos

  1. #1
    Jon
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    Flywheel-powered bus - photos

    Oerlikon Flywheel Bus.



    Only one remaining, in the Flemish Tramway and Bus Museum.







    More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyrobus

    Previously:

    Bus spins around on turntable - GIF

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    oldpastit (Jan 27, 2019), PJs (Jan 27, 2019), will52100 (Jan 26, 2019)

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    Supporting Member mklotz's Avatar
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    It would be interesting to see one drive around a banked turn.

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    PJs (Jan 27, 2019)

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    I remember reading about this power source years ago. The massive flywheel spun in a vacuum chamber. I also think the rotor was of a variable geometry design so that the mass was closer to the axle during spin up, and then it shifted away to the periphery as the wheel encountered load. The illustration I saw was a flywheel that fanned out and back in.

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    old kodger's Tools
    I vaguely recall the railways in England, during and just after the war, using something like this as a shunting engine. but the flywheel was huge, they spent all night winding it up, then used it all day for local traction.
    I guess that it was something to do with the lack of fuel.

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    PJs (Jan 27, 2019)

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    PJs
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    Look how far these have come since the 40's. Note the use in vehicles and racing...most of the modern EV's use a hybrid system now. There are also a power plant in Ottawa and NY that are using FES systems to store grid power.
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    Supporting Member Toolmaker51's Avatar
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    Energy part interesting enough. That it's not pursued, a little baffling. Overall a 6:10 Mehh rating.
    The Oerlikon part though



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    Last edited by Toolmaker51; Jun 13, 2021 at 08:33 PM.
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