flywheel. power bus - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

DAN · 02-11-2008, 05:02 AM

Swedes (i think) had big buses that ran on flywheels. ever so many stops they would plug in up a electric motor (i think) and spin up the heavy flywheel. i guess the wheel ran a motor/generator that powered the bus. i read about this back in the early 60's i think, and could be wrong about parts of it.

darcane · 10-01-2013, 04:15 PM

I was going to start a new thread, but then found this one, so I'll just add to it.

Posted on Jalopnik yesterday:
How The Swiss Developed An Emissions-Free Bus Without Using Batteries

Details about the Swiss bus that ran off a flywheel. It would spin up the flywheel at each bus stop by connecting to city power lines.

picasso1387 · 10-02-2013, 10:17 AM

I've always wondered about the gyroscopic effects of doing this. If you had a massive flywheel spinning fast enough, you could make a motorcycle that couldn't fall down! (you also wouldn't be able to turn!)

RedDevil · 10-02-2013, 10:49 AM

Due to the gyroscopic effect, when you are on an incline or descent it will list sideways!
It will have that effect on buses too. Luckily Switzerland is completely flat. Hmm....

jamesqf · 10-02-2013, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDevil

Luckily Switzerland is completely flat. Hmm....

But the Swiss are quite good at handling things that tilt. They have trains that tilt going around curves Tilting train - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and go up & down some moderately steep inclines: PILATUS BAHNEN – 2132 possibilities above sea level

But avoiding gyroscopic effects in a bus is not a big problem. You just mount the flywheel in gimbals.