Devices and methods for increasing energy and/or power density in composite flywheel energy storage systems
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical flywheel for a motor/generator,the flywheel being formed of a composite material including a matrix material and fibers oriented at least in part in a circumferential direction around the flywheel embedded in the matrix material,the flywheel having a longitudinal axis of rotation, a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, and a radial thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface,rotation of the flywheel about the axis of rotation generating hoop stress in the fibers in the circumferential direction and through-thickness stress in the matrix material in the radial direction, the material properties of the fibers and the matrix material being such that rotation of the flywheel about the axis of rotation at a first rotational velocity produces failure of the matrix material in the radial direction and not failure of the fibers in the circumferential direction;
a first plurality of load masses distributed circumferentially around, and coupled to, the inner surface of the flywheel at a first longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation; and
a second plurality of load masses distributed circumferentially around, and coupled to, the inner surface of the flywheel at a second longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation, rotation of the flywheel causing each load mass from the first plurality of load masses and each load mass from the second plurality of load masses to produce a radially outwardly directed force on the inner surface of the flywheel, the radially outwardly directed force acting to reduce a maximum through-thickness stress in the matrix material in the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment of the flywheel such that a second rotational velocity greater than the first rotational velocity produces failure of the fibers in the circumferential direction and not failure of the matrix material in the radial direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flywheel formed of a composite material having fibers, oriented substantially in a circumferential direction around the flywheel, embedded in a matrix material. The flywheel having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a thickness therebetween and defining an axis of rotation. A plurality of load masses are distributed circumferentially on the inner surface at a longitudinal segment along the axis. A rotation of the flywheel about the axis with a rotational velocity generating hoop stress in the fibers in the circumferential direction and through-thickness stress is generated in the matrix material in a radial direction. Each load mass produces a force on the inner surface operative to reduce the maximum through-thickness stress in the matrix material as the flywheel rotates about the axis. The rotational velocity otherwise sufficient to produce structural failure of the matrix material produces structural failure of the fibers and not the matrix material.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a hollow cylindrical flywheel for a motor/generator, the flywheel being formed of a composite material including a matrix material and fibers oriented at least in part in a circumferential direction around the flywheel embedded in the matrix material, the flywheel having a longitudinal axis of rotation, a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface, and a radial thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface, rotation of the flywheel about the axis of rotation generating hoop stress in the fibers in the circumferential direction and through-thickness stress in the matrix material in the radial direction, the material properties of the fibers and the matrix material being such that rotation of the flywheel about the axis of rotation at a first rotational velocity produces failure of the matrix material in the radial direction and not failure of the fibers in the circumferential direction; a first plurality of load masses distributed circumferentially around, and coupled to, the inner surface of the flywheel at a first longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation; and a second plurality of load masses distributed circumferentially around, and coupled to, the inner surface of the flywheel at a second longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation, rotation of the flywheel causing each load mass from the first plurality of load masses and each load mass from the second plurality of load masses to produce a radially outwardly directed force on the inner surface of the flywheel, the radially outwardly directed force acting to reduce a maximum through-thickness stress in the matrix material in the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment of the flywheel such that a second rotational velocity greater than the first rotational velocity produces failure of the fibers in the circumferential direction and not failure of the matrix material in the radial direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
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a rotor configured to be disposed within a flywheel energy storage device, the rotor being formed of a composite material including a matrix material and fibers oriented at least in part in a circumferential direction around the rotor embedded in the matrix material, the rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and a radially inner surface, the rotor configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to a stator; a first plurality of load masses coupled to the inner surface of the rotor, each load mass from the first plurality of load masses having a first density and a first radial thickness, a first portion of the first plurality of load masses being distributed along the inner surface in the circumferential direction at a first longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation, a second portion of the first plurality of load masses being distributed along the inner surface in the circumferential direction at a second longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation; and a second plurality of load masses coupled to the inner surface of the rotor, each load mass from the second plurality of load masses having a second density greater than the first density and a second radial thickness less than the first radial thickness, the second plurality of load masses being distributed along the inner surface in a circumferential direction at a third longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation, the third longitudinal segment being between the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment, the first plurality of load masses and the second plurality of load masses covering the inner surface such that a substantially uniform pressure is exerted on the inner surface of the rotor when the rotor is rotated about the longitudinal axis relative to the stator. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus comprising:
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a rotor configured to be disposed within a flywheel energy storage device, the rotor being formed of a composite material including a matrix material and fibers oriented at least in part in a circumferential direction around the rotor embedded in the matrix material, the rotor having a longitudinal axis of rotation and an inner surface, the rotor including a first plurality of magnets distributed along the inner surface in the circumferential direction at a first longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation and a second plurality of magnets distributed along the inner surface in the circumferential direction at a second longitudinal segment along the axis of rotation, the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets defining a space therebetween; a stator disposed within the flywheel energy storage device, a portion of the stator being disposed within the space defined between the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets; and a plurality of load masses distributed along the inner surface in the circumferential direction, the plurality of load masses being formed of a nonmagnetic material, the plurality of load masses disposed within the space defined between the first plurality of magnets and the second plurality of magnets such that the plurality of load masses is between the inner surface of the rotor and a circumferential surface of the portion of the stator, the first plurality of magnets, the second plurality of magnets, and the plurality of load masses collectively exerting a substantially uniform pressure on the inner surface of the rotor operative in reducing a radial stress within the rotor when the rotor is rotated about the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification