Flywheel-powered bus - photos

[Jon]

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

[mklotz]

It would be interesting to see one drive around a banked turn.

[owen moore]

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.

[old kodger]

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.

[PJs]

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.

[Toolmaker51]

Energy part interesting enough. That it's not pursued, a little baffling. Overall a 6:10 Mehh rating.
The Oerlikon part though