electrogyro

plural electrogyros

1. businessA unit that works first as a motor, taking energy from an electrical supply and converting it into kinetic energy which is stored in flywheels; when a vehicle so fitted moves, the energy stored is reconverted to electricity and supplied to traction motors.

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   A shunting locomotive embodying an unusual form of power transmission has been developed for the National Coal Board. Known as an electrogyro locomotive, it derives its haulage power from energy stored in two flywheels, each of which is combined with a squirrel-cage induction motor. These units are the electrogyros, which work first as motors, taking electrical energy from a three-phase supply, and converting it into kinetic energy, which is stored in the flywheels. When the locomotive moves, the stored energy is reconverted into electrical form and supplied to two traction motors which drive the locomotive.

   1958 June 29, “N.C.B. Electrogyro Locomotive”, in Railway Magazine, page 421