Concept of a modified flywheel for megajoule storage and pulse conditioning

This paper introduces the concept of a flywheel with a variable moment of inertia for electromagnetic launch (EML). A flywheel is among the best energy density storage devices. The modified flywheel will further improve upon the energy density and efficiency. Coupled to a pulse-duty generator, it could produce a near-square pulse or other desirable pulse shapes. The mount of energy, its rate, and its switching all could be controlled prior to electric energy conversion. The modified flywheel is structured with masses movable along radial paths. Potential energy is stored with respect to mass position and kinetic energy with respect to spin. This mass positioning provides a means to control the rate of energy discharge. Control with spring-loaded weight--the design presented here--would have near constant spin output