Energy-absorbing housing for high-speed flywheels

• US 20040025625A1
• Filed: 06/19/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edward S. Zorzi, Ray F. Griswold
• Original Assignee: Edward S. Zorzi, Ray F. Griswold
• Inventors: Zorzi, Edward S., Griswold, Ray F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,889,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 74/574
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/315 characterised by their supporting arrangement, e.g. mountings, cages, securing inertia member to shaft F16F15/31 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2119 Structural detail, e.g., material, configuration, superconductor, discs, laminated, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2121 Flywheel, motion smoothing-type

Abstract

The invention provides a flywheel system with energy-absorbing housing. The system provides a novel liner and restraint ribs which serve to de-energize debris particles resulting from the catastrophic failure of a flywheel. Also provided are energy-absorbing housing systems comprising a rotatable liner, one or more restraint ribs, and a fluid film bearing to control and dissipate the energy from the failure of a rotating mass.

Claims

1. A flywheel system comprising:

a substantially cylindrical housing comprising a wall portion;

a substantially cylindrical liner positioned within the housing;

a flywheel rotatably disposed within the liner; and

,

a restraint rib, comprising a first end portion contacting the wall portion and a second end portion contacting the liner, wherein the restraint rib is adapted to restrain the liner when the restraint rib is subject to a stress below a predetermined level, and the restraint rib is adapted to release the liner when the restraint rib is subject to a stress substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined level.

2. The flywheel system of claim 1 wherein the first end portion is fixedly coupled to the wall portion and the second end portion is fixedly coupled to the liner.

3. The flywheel system of claim 2 wherein the restraint rib is adapted to release the liner as a result of shear failure.

4. A flywheel system comprising:

a substantially cylindrical housing comprising a wall portion;

a substantially cylindrical liner positioned within the housing;

a flywheel rotatably disposed within the liner; and

,

a restraint rib, comprising a first end portion contacting the wall portion and a second end portion contacting the liner, wherein the restraint rib is adapted to restrain the liner when the restraint rib is subject to a stress below a predetermined level, and the restraint rib is adapted to release the liner and form a fluid film bearing between the liner and the wall portion when the restraint rib is subject to a stress substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined level.

5. The flywheel system of claim 4 wherein the rib comprises a material selected from the group consisting of solder, rose metal, cerobend, metal alloys, plastics and polymers.

6. The flywheel system of claim 4 wherein the rib is adapted to release the liner by melting.

8. The energy-absorbing housing of claim 5 wherein the restraint rib is adapted to form a fluid film bearing between the liner and the wall portion.

7. A energy-absorbing housing for a flywheel system comprising:

a substantially cylindrical housing comprising a wall portion;

a substantially cylindrical liner positioned within the housing;

a flywheel rotatably disposed within the liner; and

,

a restraint rib, comprising a first end portion contacting the wall portion and a second end portion contacting the liner, wherein the restraint rib is adapted to restrain the liner when the restraint rib is subject to a stress below a predetermined level, and the restraint rib is adapted to release the liner when the restraint rib is subject to a stress substantially equal to or greater than the predetermined level.