Repulsive lift systems, flywheel energy storage systems utilizing such systems and methods related thereto

• US 7,679,245 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Beacon Power (RGA Labs, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Beacon Power Corporation (RGA Labs, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hockney, Richard L., Frash, Martin W., Brackett, Norman C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Dang D
• Application Number:
  US10/244,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20030052558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,738 Days
• Field of Search: 310/90.5, 310/90
• US Class Current: 310/90.5
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2361/55 Flywheel systems in general F16F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 32/0427 for axial load mainly
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 37/005 of magnetic bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 39/063 Permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 39/066 with opposing permanent magnets repelling each other
• 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: Y02E 60/16 Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids

Abstract

Featured is a method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly (11) of a flywheel energy storage system (10), comprising the steps of mechanically coupling a first permanent magnet (204a) to the rotor assembly (11) and fixedly positioning a second permanent magnet (204b) proximal to the first permanent magnet (204a) so that a repulsive force is generated therebetween causing the first permanent magnet (204a) to move with respect to the second permanent magnet (204b), thereby causing the rotor assembly (11) to be lifted to an operating level. The method further includes applying a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial force being generated by the permanent magnet repulsive force. Also featured is a passive-repulsive rotor assembly lift system (100) for a flywheel energy storage system (10) and a flywheel energy storage system (10) including such a repulsive rotor lift system (100).

Claims

1. A method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly, comprising the steps of:

mechanically coupling a first permanent magnet to the rotor assembly;

fixedly positioning a second permanent magnet proximal the first permanent magnet so that a repulsive force is generated therebetween causing the first permanent magnet to move with respect to the second permanent magnet, thereby lifting the rotor assembly; and

applying a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial force being generated by said repulsive force,

wherein the step of applying a radial force is accomplished using a damping mechanism, and the damping mechanism also is a bearing damper system for the rotor assembly, the bearing damper system being in contact with a rolling element bearing assembly, wherein the rolling element bearing assembly maintains direct contact with the rotor assembly.

2. The method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of applying a radial force is accomplished using the bearing damper system in combination with one or more spring plates to provide additional stiffness.

3. The method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the mechanical coupling of the first permanent magnet and the fixedly positioning of a second permanent magnet does not affect the functioning of at least one of one or more ball bearings and one or more ball bearing assemblies.

4. A passive-repulsive rotor assembly lift system for a flywheel energy storage system, the lift system comprising:

a first permanent magnet being mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly;

a second permanent magnet mechanically coupled to a fixed member of the flywheel energy storage system;

wherein the first permanent magnet produces a first magnetic flux field having a first magnetic pole and the second permanent magnet produces a second magnetic flux field having a second magnetic pole and said first and said second permanent magnets are structured and arranged so that the first and second magnetic poles are of the same pole and said first and said second permanent magnets oppose each other, thereby creating a repulsive force that causes the first permanent magnet to move with respect to the second permanent magnet and thus lift the rotor assembly to an operational position; and

a damping mechanism for imposing a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial component of the repulsive force developed between said first and second permanent magnets, and the damping mechanism also is a bearing damper system for the rotor assembly, the bearing damper system being in contact with a rolling element bearing assembly, wherein the rolling element bearing assembly maintains direct contact with the rotor assembly.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the damping mechanism for imposing a radial force is the bearing damper system in combination with one or more spring plates.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the first permanent magnet is coupled to the rotor and the second permanent magnet is fixedly positioned to the fixed structure of the flywheel energy storage system so as not to affect the functioning of at least one of one or more ball bearings and one or more ball bearing assemblies.

7. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said first permanent magnet comprises a permanent magnet annular ring.

8. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said second permanent magnet comprises a permanent magnet annular ring.

9. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said first permanent magnet is structured and arranged in a rotor mounting cap.

10. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said second permanent magnet is structured and arranged in a stator mounting cap.

11. A flywheel energy storage system, comprising:

a rotor assembly;

a support structure;

a first permanent magnet, having a first magnetic pole, being mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly such that in operation the first permanent magnet moves axially, causing the rotor assembly to move in a predetermined, axial direction;

a second permanent magnet, having a second magnetic pole, mechanically coupled to the support structure, wherein the second permanent magnet is positioned with respect to the first permanent magnet so that the first magnetic pole is the same as the second magnetic pole so as to oppose each other, thereby causing the first permanent magnet to move axially with respect to the second permanent magnet; and

a damping mechanism for imposing a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial repulsive force developed between the first and second permanent magnets, and the damping mechanism also is a bearing damper system for the rotor assembly, the bearing damper system being in contact with a rolling element bearing assembly, wherein the rolling element bearing assembly maintains direct contact with the rotor assembly.

12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the damping mechanism for imposing a radial force is the bearing damper system in combination with one or more spring plates.

13. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the first permanent magnet is coupled to the rotor assembly and the second permanent magnet is fixedly positioned to the fixed structure of the flywheel energy storage system so as not to affect the functioning of at least one of one or more ball bearings and one or more ball bearing assemblies.

14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said first permanent magnet comprises a permanent magnet annular ring.

15. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said second permanent magnet comprises a permanent magnet annular ring.

16. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said first permanent magnet is mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly in a rotor mounting cap.

17. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein said second permanent magnet is mechanically coupled to the support structure in a stator mounting cap.