Gyrodynamic Effects of an Energy Storage Flywheel on the Handling of a Hybrid-Electric Vehicle

This research presents the results of numerical simulation of the handling characteristics of a hybrid-electric vehicle which uses a flywheel for temporary energy storage. The work is presented in an effort to understand the potential interaction of the flywheel and the vehicle, and to predict what positive and negative outcomes may result. The vehicle is modeled with four wheels, and the roll, yaw, and sideslip-angle degrees of freedom. The simulation uses an empirical model of the nonlinear interface between the tire and the road. The results are presented graphically, and are analyzed on both quantitative and qualitative bases. The vehicle parameters used to define the baseline vehicle are based on the broad guidelines set forth by the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. The size and speed range of the flywheel is based on a compilation of results presented in the popular literature. Analyses of the results are based on alignment of the angular momentum vector of the flywheel along the three axes of the vehicle. The speed of the flywheel is varied from -100,000 rpm to +100,000 rpm. Negative speeds represent orientation of the angular momentum vector of the flywheel along the negative axes, and positive speeds represent orientation along the positive axes.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH is the author of 'Gyrodynamic Effects of an Energy Storage Flywheel on the Handling of a Hybrid-Electric Vehicle' with ISBN 9781423565871 and ISBN 1423565878.