Energy-absorbing housing for high-speed flywheels

• US 6,889,577 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2003
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AFS Trinity Power Corporation
• Original Assignee: AFS Trinity Power Corporation
• Inventors: Zorzi, Edward S., Griswold, Ray F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Johnson, Vicky A.
• Application Number:
  US10/465,762
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 745/72, 745/73, 745/74, 241/245, 241/275, 310/74
• US Class Current: 74/572.2
• 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

,

means contacting the wall portion and the liner for restraining the liner in relation to the housing when the liner is subjected to a torque below a predetermined threshold and releasing the liner when the liner is subjected to a torque substantially equal or greater than the predetermined threshold.

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

3. The flywheel system of claim 2 wherein the means comprises a restraint rib that releases 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

,

means contacting the wall portion and the liner for restraining the liner in relation to the housing when the liner is subjected to a torque below a predetermined threshold and releasing the liner and forming a fluid film between the liner and the wall portion when the liner is subjected to a torque substantially equal or greater than the predetermined threshold.

5. The flywheel system of claim 4 wherein the means comprises a restraint rib formed from 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 means releases the liner by melting.

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

,

means contacting the wall portion and the liner for restraining the liner in relation to the housing when the liner is subjected to a torque below a predetermined threshold and releasing the liner when the liner is subjected to a torque substantially equal or greater than the predetermined threshold.

8. The energy-absorbing housing of claim 7 wherein the means forms a fluid film bearing between the liner and the wall portion when the liner is subjected to the torque substantially equal or greater than the predetermined threshold.

9. The energy-absorbing housing of claim 8 wherein the means comprises a restraining rib.