Transient energy systems and methods for use of the same

• US 7,750,518 B1
• Filed: 11/29/2006
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Piller USA, Inc. (Langley Holdings PLC)
• Original Assignee: Active Power Incorporated
• Inventors: Perkins, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung; Quyen
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LEDA T
• Application Number:
  US11/606,848
• Publication Number:
  US 20100171366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,315 Days
• Field of Search: 310/89, 310/90, 310/51, 384/518, 384/535, 384/536, 384/563, 384/581, 384/582
• US Class Current: 310/90
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 25/08 self-adjusting
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 39/06 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/066 characterised by the use of dynamo-electric machines H02J9/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/025 for power storage
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/083 radially supporting the rotary shaft at both ends of the rotor H02K7/086, H02K7/09 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/09 with magnetic bearings
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2207/01 Asynchronous machines
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/00 Arrangements for controlling electric generators for the purpose of obtaining a desired output Ward-Leonard arrangements H02P7/34; vector control H02P21/00; feeding a network by two or more generators H02J; for charging batteries H02J7/14
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1498 Resource management, Optimisation arrangements, e.g. configuration, identification, tracking, physical location thermal management H05K7/20836
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems

Abstract

This disclosure relates to transient energy systems for supplying power to a load substantially instantaneously on demand. Transient energy systems may include a flywheel coupled the rotor of an induction motor generator. One embodiment of the disclosure refers to systems and methods for reducing loads on a bearing in a transient energy system. In another embodiment, the disclosure refers to an induction motor generator that is optimized for high power transient power generation, yet low power motor operation. Yet another embodiment of the disclosure refers to using a flywheel as a drag pump to cool components of a transient energy system. In yet another embodiment, a slip control scheme is discussed for regulating a DC bus. In yet a further embodiment of the disclosure a method is provided for reducing unnecessary turbine starts by making turbine start a function of the rotational velocity of a flywheel.

Claims

1. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a long-term backup power system; and

a flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a support assembly for supporting a rotor assembly, the support assembly comprising;

thrust and non-thrust bearings for providing radial and axial support of the rotor assembly;

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the non-thrust bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of a load applied to the thrust bearing by the rotor assembly;

a cartridge having a cavity constructed to house the spring and non-thrust bearing therein; and

a retainer coupled to the cartridge for securing the non-thrust bearing and spring within the cavity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one channel for supporting a membrane, the system comprising a membrane in each channel, each membrane interacting with the outer diameter of the bearing outer race.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each membrane is an o-ring.

4. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a long-term backup power system; and

a flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a support assembly for supporting a rotor assembly, the support assembly comprising;

thrust and non-thrust bearings for providing radial and axial support of the rotor assembly;

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the non-thrust bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of a load applied to the thrust bearing by the rotor assembly;

a washer;

a cartridge having a cavity, the cavity constructed to house the spring, washer, and bearing therein, wherein the washer is coupled between the spring and bearing, and the spring is seated in a bottom portion of the cavity; and

a retainer coupled to the cartridge for securing the bearing, washer, and spring within the cavity.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the bearing has inner and outer races, and wherein the washer interacts with the outer race, but not the inner race.

6. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a long-term backup power system; and

a flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a support assembly for supporting a rotor assembly, the support assembly comprising;

thrust and non-thrust bearings for providing radial and axial support of the rotor assembly; and

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the non-thrust bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of a load applied to the thrust bearing by the rotor assembly,

wherein the predetermined portion of applied load is about half of the weight of the rotor assembly.

7. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a long-term backup power system; and

a flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a support assembly for supporting a rotor assembly, the support assembly comprising;

thrust and non-thrust bearings for providing radial and axial support of the rotor assembly; and

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the non-thrust bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of a load applied to the thrust bearing by the rotor assembly,

wherein the load applied to the thrust bearing is about the same as the load applied to the non-thrust bearing.

8. An uninterruptible power supply system comprising:

a long-term backup power system; and

a flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a support assembly for supporting a rotor assembly, the support assembly comprising;

thrust and non-thrust bearings for providing radial and axial support of the rotor assembly; and

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the non-thrust bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of a load applied to the thrust bearing by the rotor assembly,

wherein the predetermined portion of applied load is at least a portion of the weight of the rotor assembly.

9. An uninterruptible power supply system, comprising:

a long-term backup power system;

an integrated induction motor generator flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a vertically arranged rotor assembly having a predetermined weight, a top portion, and a bottom portion;

a first support assembly for supporting the top portion; and

a second support assembly for supporting the bottom portion, the second support assembly comprising;

a bearing;

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of the predetermined weight of the rotor assembly;

a cartridge having a cavity, the cavity constructed to house the spring and bearing therein; and

a retainer coupled to the cartridge for securing the bearing and spring within the cavity,

the long-term backup power system cooperating with the integrated induction motor generator flywheel energy storage system to provide uninterruptible power.

10. An uninterruptible power supply system, comprising:

a long-term backup power system;

an integrated induction motor generator flywheel energy storage system comprising;

a flywheel coupled to a shaft for rotation about a substantially vertical axis;

a vertically arranged rotor assembly having a predetermined weight, a top portion, and a bottom portion;

a first support assembly for supporting the top portion; and

a second support assembly for supporting the bottom portion, the second support assembly comprising;

a bearing;

a spring for applying an upward preload force to the bearing to counteract a predetermined portion of the predetermined weight of the rotor assembly;

a washer;

a cartridge having a cavity, the cavity constructed to house the spring, washer, and bearing therein, wherein the washer is coupled between the spring and bearing, and the spring is seated in a bottom portion of the cavity; and

a retainer coupled to the cartridge for securing the bearing, washer, and spring within the cavity,

the long-term backup power system cooperating with the integrated induction motor generator flywheel energy storage system to provide uninterruptible power.