Flywheel support system for mobile energy storage
First Claim
1. A flywheel support system for a flywheel-motor-generator assembly providing mobile energy storage, said support system including a liquid suspension system comprising:
- an outer housing;
a vacuum housing disposed within said outer housing, wherein said vacuum housing and said outer housing define a cavity;
a radiator operatively attached to said outer housing; and
a pump disposed within said cavity for circulating a liquid in a predetermined portion of said cavity so as to transfer waste heat to said radiator.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flywheel support system isolates the flywheel and its motor-generator from the driving environment of an electrically powered motor vehicle. A suitable liquid, placed between the outer and vacuum housings of the flywheel assembly, provides buoyancy and damping to the vacuum housing, cooling of the motor-generator, and serves as one of the barriers to rotor energy and angular momentum transfer in the event of an accident or failure. During normal operation, a shearable mechanical gimbal system keeps the vacuum housing centered in the outer housing, reacts the spin moments generated by the motor-generator, and provides a path for the electrical leads into the vacuum housing. In the event of bearing seizure or rotor failure, the mechanical gimbal will shear and allow the vacuum housing to gradually spin down against the fluid. A system of both active and passive axial and radial magnetic bearings supports the rotating assembly including the rotor of the motor-generator. Rotor-stator gap proximity sensors, strategically placed along the axis, permit a minimum gap to be used in the motor-generator. The placement of the center of gravity of the vacuum housing and its contents below the center of buoyancy produces a vertical orientation of the housing in the absence of accelerations, thus minimizing the power consumed by the magnetic support system when the vehicle is parked.
50 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A flywheel support system for a flywheel-motor-generator assembly providing mobile energy storage, said support system including a liquid suspension system comprising:
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an outer housing; a vacuum housing disposed within said outer housing, wherein said vacuum housing and said outer housing define a cavity; a radiator operatively attached to said outer housing; and a pump disposed within said cavity for circulating a liquid in a predetermined portion of said cavity so as to transfer waste heat to said radiator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A flywheel support system for a flywheel-motor-generator assembly providing mobile energy storage, said support system including a bearing support system comprising:
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a magnetic active radial bearing disposed in a predetermined plane about an axial shaft of the flywheel-motor-generator assembly; a plurality of magnetic passive radial bearings; a plurality of magnetic active axial bearings, wherein at least one of said active axial bearings is disposed proximate to an end of said shaft a magnetic passive axial bearing; plurality of proximity sensors located equidistant from said shaft for determining a position of said shaft within a cylinder defined by said proximity sensors; and a control system for controlling said active radial bearing and said active axial bearings in response to signals produced by said proximity sensors. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A safety system for a high energy density flywheel assembly, comprising:
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a vacuum housing; an energy absorbing suspension fluid; an outer housing; a mechanical gimbal operatively coupling said vacuum housing to said outer housing; and a reinforcing wrapping, arranged to form a multiple barrier and energy dissipation means for protecting a vehicle and associated passengers from accidental release of energy from the flywheel assembly. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification