Stiff metal hub for an energy storage rotor
First Claim
1. A stiff, metallic hub for an energy storage device, having a flywheel assembly, wherein the hub produces a critical velocity that exceeds a design operating speed of the flywheel assembly, the stiff, metallic hub comprising:
- a central core in tight interference fit with a rotary shaft of the flywheel assembly;
an outer rim section in tight interference fit with a high-strength, low-density composite fiber rim of the flywheel assembly; and
a substantially planar web section, wherein the web section is circumferentially continuous, the web section is integrally formed to the central core and the outer rim section, the web section is substantially planar when the hub is at rest, the entire web section extends in a radial direction, and the web section has a substantially constant thickness in an axial direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Several embodiments of a stiff, metallic hub for an energy storage devices are disclosed in the present invention. The stiff hub produces a critical velocity that is significantly greater than the design operating speed of the flywheel assembly so that resonant frequency is never reached during normal operation of the energy storage device'"'"'s flywheel assembly. The stiff hub comprises a central core section that maintains a tight interference fit with the rotating shaft; an outer rim section that maintains a tight interference with the high-strength, low-density composite fiber rim, in which energy primarily is stored; and a web section that is situated therebetween, extending radially from the rotary shaft. At high operating speeds, the outer rim of the hub expands radially commensurate with expansion of the composite fiber rim so that enough of the outer rim remains in tight interference fit with the composite fiber rim to substantially minimize vibrations.
44 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A stiff, metallic hub for an energy storage device, having a flywheel assembly, wherein the hub produces a critical velocity that exceeds a design operating speed of the flywheel assembly, the stiff, metallic hub comprising:
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a central core in tight interference fit with a rotary shaft of the flywheel assembly;
an outer rim section in tight interference fit with a high-strength, low-density composite fiber rim of the flywheel assembly; and
a substantially planar web section, wherein the web section is circumferentially continuous, the web section is integrally formed to the central core and the outer rim section, the web section is substantially planar when the hub is at rest, the entire web section extends in a radial direction, and the web section has a substantially constant thickness in an axial direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification