Composite flywheel rim with co-mingled fiber layers and methods for manufacturing same
First Claim
1. A composite-based rim, comprising:
- a plurality of co-mingled fiber layers, wherein at least one layer is formed of at least a low modulus fiber and a high modulus fiber, the modulus of the low modulus fiber being less than the modulus of the high modulus fiber by at least 5 Msi, and wherein at least one of the strength and stiffness of each layer increases in each layer from an innermost layer of the rim to an outermost layer of the rim.
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Abstract
A composite-based rim and methods for manufacturing such a rim are provided. The rim includes multiple fiber-based, co-mingled layers, wherein the strength and/or stiffness of the layers increases from the innermost layer of the rim to the outermost layer of the rim, but where the radial stress and strain generated in the rim decreases from the innermost layer to the outermost layer. Incorporation of this rim into a high stress and strain usage environment, such as a flywheel system, allows the rim to be spun at high speeds in order to generate high levels of kinetic energy while beneficially managing the amount of strain and radial stresses generated within the rim, and, in turn, minimizing or at least controlling the formation and propagation of cracks within the rim.
53 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A composite-based rim, comprising:
a plurality of co-mingled fiber layers, wherein at least one layer is formed of at least a low modulus fiber and a high modulus fiber, the modulus of the low modulus fiber being less than the modulus of the high modulus fiber by at least 5 Msi, and wherein at least one of the strength and stiffness of each layer increases in each layer from an innermost layer of the rim to an outermost layer of the rim. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A composite-based rim, comprising:
four fiber layers, wherein at least one of the strength and stiffness of each layer increases in each layer from a first, innermost layer of the rim to a fourth, outermost layer of the rim, and wherein at least one of the four layers of the rim are formed of at least 10% by volume of both a low modulus fiber and a high modulus fiber, and wherein each of the four layers of the rim is formed of at least 10% of the high modulus fiber, the modulus of the low modulus fiber being at least 5 Msi less than the modulus of the high modulus fiber. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A composite-based rim, comprising:
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a first, innermost layer formed of about 100% by volume of a low modulus fiber and about 0% by volume of a high modulus fiber;
a second layer surrounding the first layer and being formed of about 80% by volume of the low modulus fiber and about 20% by volume of the high modulus fiber;
a third layer surrounding the second layer and being formed of about 40% by volume of the low modulus fiber and about 20% by volume of the high modulus fiber; and
a fourth, outermost layer surrounding the third layer and being formed of about 0% by volume of the low modulus fiber and about 100% by volume of the high modulus fiber, wherein the low modulus fiber has a modulus that is at least 5 Msi less than the modulus of the high modulus fiber. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification