A stacked lamination endplate for a rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, wherein each lamination has an identical shape, the shape having a central region, symmetric about a center axis, and a number of spokes, each spoke emanating radially outward from the central region, where each spoke includes a through-hole at its distal end, and wherein the laminations are stacked one on top of another and aligned, enabling, for each spoke, a bolt to be inserted through a corresponding through-hole of each lamination.
H02K 5/15 - Montage des flasques-paliers ou des plaques d'extrémité
H02K 1/28 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor
H02K 15/02 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques des corps statoriques ou rotoriques
H02K 1/30 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor utilisant des pièces intermédiaires, p.ex. des croisillons
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 15/16 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques Équilibrage des rotors
A stacked lamination endplate for a rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, wherein each lamination has an identical shape, the shape having a central region, symmetric about a center axis, and a number of spokes, each spoke emanating radially outward from the central region, where each spoke includes a through-hole at its distal end, and wherein the laminations are stacked one on top of another and aligned, enabling, for each spoke, a bolt to be inserted through a corresponding through-hole of each lamination.
H02K 5/15 - Montage des flasques-paliers ou des plaques d'extrémité
H02K 15/02 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques des corps statoriques ou rotoriques
H02K 1/30 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor utilisant des pièces intermédiaires, p.ex. des croisillons
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 15/16 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques Équilibrage des rotors
A stacked lamination endplate for a rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, wherein each lamination has an identical shape, the shape having a central region, symmetric about a center axis, and a number of spokes, each spoke emanating radially outward from the central region, where each spoke includes a through-hole at its distal end, and wherein the laminations are stacked one on top of another and aligned, enabling, for each spoke, a bolt to be inserted through a corresponding through-hole of each lamination.
F03G 3/08 - Autres mécanismes moteurs, p.ex. mécanismes moteurs à gravité ou inertie utilisant des volants
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
B32B 3/26 - Produits stratifiés caractérisés essentiellement par le fait qu'une des couches comporte des discontinuités ou des rugosités externes ou internes, ou bien qu'une des couches est de forme générale non plane; Produits stratifiés caractérisés essentiellement par des particularismes de forme caractérisés par une couche comportant des cavités ou des vides internes
B32B 7/12 - Liaison entre couches utilisant des adhésifs interposés ou des matériaux interposés ayant des propriétés adhésives
B32B 15/18 - Produits stratifiés composés essentiellement de métal comportant du fer ou de l'acier
B32B 15/04 - Produits stratifiés composés essentiellement de métal comprenant un métal comme seul composant ou comme composant principal d'une couche adjacente à une autre couche d'une substance spécifique
The invention is a motor/generator that includes a motor/generator housing that encloses a rotor assembly, which rotates a shaft, and a stator assembly that remains stationary, and where the motor/generator is inside a vacuum chamber, which, during normal operation, is evacuated of gas and operates at a lower air pressure than atomospheric air pressure, and a cylindrical vacuum barrier between the rotor assembly and the stator assembly that together with the motor generator housing partitions the motor/generator into an interior rotor volume and an exterior stator volume, enabling the rotor volume and stator volume to operate at different atmospheric pressures.
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 5/12 - Enveloppes ou enceintes caractérisées par leur configuration, leur forme ou leur construction spécialement adaptées à un fonctionnement dans un liquide ou dans un gaz
The invention is a flywheel rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, where each of the laminations has the same shape and is rotationally symmetric around a center axis, and where the shape is substantially circular and includes a plurality of protrusions exterior to the circumference, and each of the laminations includes at least one hole for a fastening bolt to pass through. The invention typically includes an endplate at each end of stack of laminations. One of the two endplates may attach to a stubshaft.
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 1/30 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor utilisant des pièces intermédiaires, p.ex. des croisillons
H02K 15/16 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques Équilibrage des rotors
H02K 15/02 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques des corps statoriques ou rotoriques
6.
FREQUENCY REGULATION WITH AUGMENTED ENERGY STORAGE
The invention is an augmented energy storage system that includes an energy storage subsystem that stores and supplies energy to an electric grid, a load bank that dissipates energy, a power control system that controls the flow of energy into and out of the energy storage subsystem and into the load bank, and an inverter that converts DC current to AC current used by the grid.
The invention is a flywheel rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, where each of the laminations has the same shape and is rotationally symmetric around a center axis, and where the shape is substantially circular and includes a plurality of protrusions on the circumference, and each of the laminations includes at least one hole for at fastening bolts to pass through. The invention typically includes an endplate at each end of stack of laminations and one of the two endplates attaches to a stubshaft.
H02K 1/30 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor utilisant des pièces intermédiaires, p.ex. des croisillons
The invention is a flywheel rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, where each of the laminations has the same shape and is rotationally symmetric around a center axis, and where the shape is substantially circular and includes a plurality of protrusions on the circumference, and each of the laminations includes at least one hole for at fastening bolts to pass through. The invention typically includes an endplate at each end of stack of laminations and one of the two endplates attaches to a stubshaft.
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 1/30 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor utilisant des pièces intermédiaires, p.ex. des croisillons
F16F 15/315 - Volants caractérisés par la disposition du support, p.ex. montages, cages, fixation de l'élément d'inertie à l'arbre
The invention is a flywheel rotor that includes a number of adjacent laminations, stacked one on top of another, where each of the laminations has the same shape and is rotationally symmetric around a center axis, and where the shape is substantially circular and includes a plurality of protrusions on the circumference, and each of the laminations includes at least one hole for at fastening bolts to pass through. The invention typically includes an endplate at each end of stack of laminations and one of the two endplates attaches to a stubshaft.
H02K 1/30 - Moyens de montage ou de fixation des parties magnétiques tournantes sur ou aux structures constituant le rotor utilisant des pièces intermédiaires, p.ex. des croisillons
H02K 15/16 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques Équilibrage des rotors
H02K 15/02 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication, l'assemblage, l'entretien ou la réparation des machines dynamo-électriques des corps statoriques ou rotoriques
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
A flywheel device that includes a housing that surrounds a vacuum chamber, a flywheel rotor within the vacuum chamber, which rotates during normal operation of the flywheel, thus agitating residual gasses, an exhaust chamber that receives the exhaust gases from the vacuum chamber, and an annular shaped stationary element, within the vacuum chamber that includes scroll channels where some of the scroll channels have an intake port on an inner diameter of the stationary element and some of the scroll channels have an intake port on an outer diameter of the stationary element, and the scroll channels enable gasses to flow from the vacuum chamber, through the scroll channels, into the exhaust chamber.
A flywheel device that includes a housing that surrounds a vacuum chamber, a flywheel rotor within the vacuum chamber, which rotates during normal operation of the flywheel, thus agitating residual gasses, an exhaust chamber that receives the exhaust gases from the vacuum chamber, and an annular shaped stationary element, within the vacuum chamber that includes scroll channels where some of the scroll channels have an intake port on an inner diameter of the stationary element and some of the scroll channels have an intake port on an outer diameter of the stationary element, and the scroll channels enable gasses to flow from the vacuum chamber, through the scroll channels, into the exhaust chamber.
A flywheel apparatus that magnetically unloads a top rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes a flywheel housing, a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation that includes a magnetic material, a magnet configured to apply a desired upward off-loading force along the vertical axis of rotation, an upper bearing connected to an upper shaft of the rotor, and a bearing housing disposed between the upper bearing and the flywheel housing that substantially prevents downward axial motion of the upper bearing. The magnet includes an electromagnet. A force sensor is used to measure a force on the upper bearing which is provided as input to a controller that updates the current to the electromagnet. The rotor is maintained in a fixed axial position and a spring disposed below a lower bearing absorbs axial dimension growth of the rotor.
A flywheel apparatus that magnetically unloads a top rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes a flywheel housing, a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation that includes a magnetic material, a magnet configured to apply a desired upward off-loading force along the vertical axis of rotation, an upper bearing connected to an upper shaft of the rotor, and a bearing housing disposed between the upper bearing and the flywheel housing that substantially prevents downward axial motion of the upper bearing. The magnet includes an electromagnet. A force sensor is used to measure a force on the upper bearing which is provided as input to a controller that updates the current to the electromagnet. The rotor is maintained in a fixed axial position and a spring disposed below a lower bearing absorbs axial dimension growth of the rotor.
A flywheel device includes an enclosure, a top plate that fastens to the enclosure, where the top plate includes a first opening, and a cap, where the cap has a top side and a bottom side, which when fastened to the first opening forms a seal between the bottom side and the first opening, the bottom side including an o-ring groove configured to hold an o-ring, a grease channel concentric with the o-ring groove, and an inlet port configured to enable grease to flow into the grease channel.
A flywheel device includes an enclosure that surrounds an interior chamber that includes a rotor, which during normal operation is maintained in a vacuum state and spinning, the enclosure includes a first opening, and a valve that attaches to the enclosure, configured to enable, when actuated, ambient air to flow from the exterior of the enclosure into the chamber through the first opening, thus allowing the internal air pressure to rapidly approach ambient air pressure and thereby increase the air drag which acts as a brake on the spinning rotor.
A flywheel device includes an enclosure, a top plate that fastens to the enclosure, where the top plate includes a first opening, and a cap, where the cap has a top side and a bottom side, which when fastened to the first opening forms a seal between the bottom side and the first opening, the bottom side including an o-ring groove configured to hold an o-ring, a grease channel concentric with the o-ring groove, and an inlet port configured to enable grease to flow into the grease channel.
F03D 9/12 - Combinaisons des mécanismes moteurs à vent avec un appareil emmagasinant de l’énergie emmagasinant de l’énergie cinétique, p.ex. en utilisant des volants
F03D 9/17 - Combinaisons des mécanismes moteurs à vent avec un appareil emmagasinant de l’énergie emmagasinant l’énergie dans des fluides sous pression
H02J 3/38 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
F03D 80/70 - Dispositions de roulement ou de graissage
F03G 3/08 - Autres mécanismes moteurs, p.ex. mécanismes moteurs à gravité ou inertie utilisant des volants
H02J 3/30 - Dispositions pour l'équilibrage de charge dans un réseau par emmagasinage d'énergie utilisant des machines dynamo-électriques accouplées à des volants
H02J 9/06 - Circuits pour alimentation de puissance de secours ou de réserve, p.ex. pour éclairage de secours dans lesquels le système de distribution est déconnecté de la source normale et connecté à une source de réserve avec commutation automatique
17.
GREASE CHANNEL FOR REDUCING GAS PERMEATION INTO VACUUM CHAMBERS
A flywheel device includes an enclosure, a top plate that fastens to the enclosure, where the top plate includes a first opening, and a cap, where the cap has a top side and a bottom side, which when fastened to the first opening forms a seal between the bottom side and the first opening, the bottom side including an o-ring groove configured to hold an o-ring, a grease channel concentric with the o-ring groove, and an inlet port configured to enable grease to flow into the grease channel.
Machine flywheels; flywheels for energy storage; machines for generation, conversion and storage of energy; energy storage machines and devices; uninterruptible power supplies [machines] for the generation of electrical energy; uninterruptible power supply generating machines; electric power supplies [generators]; emergency power supply generators.
19.
Apparatus and method for magnetically unloading a rotor bearing
A flywheel apparatus that magnetically unloads a top rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes a flywheel housing, a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation that includes a magnetic material, a magnet configured to apply a desired upward off-loading force along the vertical axis of rotation, an upper bearing connected to an upper shaft of the rotor, and a bearing housing disposed between the upper bearing and the flywheel housing that substantially prevents downward axial motion of the upper bearing. The magnet includes an electromagnet. A force sensor is used to measure a force on the upper bearing which is provided as input to a controller that updates the current to the electromagnet. The rotor is maintained in a fixed axial position and a spring disposed below a lower bearing absorbs axial dimension growth of the rotor.
H02K 7/08 - Association structurelle avec des paliers
F16C 19/54 - Systèmes formés d'une pluralité de paliers à frottement de roulement
F16C 19/52 - Paliers à contact de roulement pour mouvement de rotation exclusivement avec dispositifs affectés par des conditions anormales ou indésirables
F16C 32/04 - Paliers non prévus ailleurs faisant usage de moyens de support magnétiques ou électriques
F16C 19/16 - Paliers à contact de roulement pour mouvement de rotation exclusivement avec roulements à billes essentiellement du même calibre, en une ou plusieurs rangées circulaires pour charges à la fois radiales et axiales avec une seule rangée de billes
Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to a flywheel rotor that includes two or more sub-rotors stacked one on top of another, in which each sub-rotor is rotationally symmetric and disk shaped, where the axial centers of each sub-rotor in the stack are rotationally aligned, and each sub-rotor has an upper and a lower journal that extends outward from the origin of the center section of the primary rotational mass of the sub-rotor. Each pair of adjacent sub-rotors in the stack has a lower journal of an upper sub-rotor that is disposed above an upper journal of a lower sub-rotor. Also, there is a joining mechanism between each pair of adjacent sub-rotors that fixedly connects the lower journal of the upper sub-rotor to the upper journal of the lower sub-rotor.
A flywheel energy storage system includes a flywheel housing that encloses a flywheel rotor, a motor/alternator, and a power electronics unit. The power electronics unit includes a power electronics housing directly mounted on the flywheel housing, and one or more power electronic circuits enclosed by the power electronics housing. The direct mounting of the power electronics housing on the flywheel housing enables thermal distribution for passive cooling purposes. The design of the flywheel energy storage system also reduces the vibrational forces imparted by the power electronics housing on the flywheel housing.
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 5/20 - Enveloppes ou enceintes caractérisées par leur configuration, leur forme ou leur construction avec des canaux ou des conduits pour la circulation d'un agent de refroidissement
H02K 5/24 - Enveloppes; Enceintes; Supports spécialement adaptés pour la réduction ou à la suppression des bruits ou vibrations
H02K 5/22 - Parties auxiliaires des enveloppes non couvertes par les groupes , p.ex. façonnées pour former des boîtes à connexions ou à bornes
23.
POWER ELECTRONICS HOUSING AND PACKAGING FOR FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
A flywheel energy storage system includes a flywheel housing that encloses a flywheel rotor, a motor/alternator, and a power electronics unit. The power electronics unit includes a power electronics housing directly mounted on the flywheel housing, and one or more power electronic circuits enclosed by the power electronics housing. The direct mounting of the power electronics housing on the flywheel housing enables thermal distribution for passive cooling purposes. The design of the flywheel energy storage system also reduces the vibrational forces imparted by the power electronics housing on the flywheel housing.
H02K 9/00 - Dispositions de refroidissement ou de ventilation
H02K 9/08 - Dispositions de refroidissement ou de ventilation par un agent de refroidissement gazeux circulant entièrement à l'intérieur de l'enveloppe de la machine
H02K 9/20 - Dispositions de refroidissement ou de ventilation pour machines avec enveloppe fermée et circuit fermé de refroidissement utilisant un agent de refroidissement liquide, p.ex. de l'huile dans lesquels l'agent de refroidissement se vaporise dans l'enveloppe de la machine
Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to a flywheel rotor that includes two or more sub-rotors stacked one on top of another, in which each sub-rotor is rotationally symmetric and disk shaped, where the axial centers of each sub-rotor in the stack are rotationally aligned, and each sub-rotor has an upper and a lower journal that extends outward from the origin of the center section of the primary rotational mass of the sub-rotor. Each pair of adjacent sub-rotors in the stack has a lower journal of an upper sub-rotor that is disposed above an upper journal of a lower sub-rotor. Also, there is a joining mechanism between each pair of adjacent sub-rotors that fixedly connects the lower journal of the upper sub-rotor to the upper journal of the lower sub-rotor.
Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to a homopolar motor and its mechanical coupling with a flywheel rotor. The homopolar motor includes a rotor and no additional bearings, shafts, gears, pulleys, etc., are required to couple the flywheel rotor and the rotor of the homopolar motor. The homopolar motor includes a stator with a stator laminate and a number of stator pole pieces. The pole pieces generate magnetic flux across a first radial gap to rotor assembly to generate torque. Rotor assembly is coupled to and rotates with shaft which in turn rotates the flywheel rotor. The rotor assembly includes a rotor laminate stack and a field coupler. The field coupler has a top portion that rotates with the shaft and a bottom portion that attaches to a housing and remains stationary.
H02K 19/18 - Génératrices synchrones avec des bobinages dont chaque spire n'est influencée que par les pôles d'une seule polarité, p.ex. génératrices homopolaires
H02K 19/12 - Moteurs synchrones pour courant polyphasé caractérisés par la disposition des enroulements d'excitation, p.ex. pour auto-excitation, compoundage ou changement du nombre de pôles
H02K 3/28 - Schémas d'enroulements ou de connexions entre enroulements
H02K 31/02 - Moteurs ou génératrices acycliques, c. à d. machines à courant continu avec des induits en tambour ou à disque, avec captation de courant continue avec des collecteurs à contacts solides
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 19/10 - Moteurs synchrones pour courant polyphasé
Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to a homopolar motor and its mechanical coupling with a flywheel rotor. The homopolar motor includes a rotor and no additional bearings, shafts, gears, pulleys, etc., are required to couple the flywheel rotor and the rotor of the homopolar motor. The homopolar motor includes a stator with a stator laminate and a number of stator pole pieces. The pole pieces generate magnetic flux across a first radial gap to rotor assembly to generate torque. Rotor assembly is coupled to and rotates with shaft which in turn rotates the flywheel rotor. The rotor assembly includes a rotor laminate stack and a field coupler. The field coupler has a top portion that rotates with the shaft and a bottom portion that attaches to a housing and remains stationary.
H02K 19/18 - Génératrices synchrones avec des bobinages dont chaque spire n'est influencée que par les pôles d'une seule polarité, p.ex. génératrices homopolaires
H02K 19/10 - Moteurs synchrones pour courant polyphasé
H02K 1/16 - Noyaux statoriques à encoches pour enroulements
H02K 37/04 - Moteurs à rotor tournant pas à pas et sans rupteur ou commutateur actionné par le rotor, p.ex. moteurs pas à pas du type à réluctance variable les rotors étant disposés à l'intérieur des stators
H02P 25/03 - Moteurs synchrones avec excitation sans balai
27.
HOMOPOLAR MOTOR FOR A FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
Embodiments of the subject invention are directed to a homopolar motor and its mechanical coupling with a flywheel rotor. The homopolar motor includes a rotor and no additional bearings, shafts, gears, pulleys, etc., are required to couple the flywheel rotor and the rotor of the homopolar motor. The homopolar motor includes a stator with a stator laminate and a number of stator pole pieces. The pole pieces generate magnetic flux across a first radial gap to rotor assembly to generate torque. Rotor assembly is coupled to and rotates with shaft which in turn rotates the flywheel rotor. The rotor assembly includes a rotor laminate stack and a field coupler. The field coupler has a top portion that rotates with the shaft and a bottom portion that attaches to a housing and remains stationary.
H02K 19/18 - Génératrices synchrones avec des bobinages dont chaque spire n'est influencée que par les pôles d'une seule polarité, p.ex. génératrices homopolaires
H02P 25/03 - Moteurs synchrones avec excitation sans balai
H02K 1/16 - Noyaux statoriques à encoches pour enroulements
H02K 19/10 - Moteurs synchrones pour courant polyphasé
H02K 37/04 - Moteurs à rotor tournant pas à pas et sans rupteur ou commutateur actionné par le rotor, p.ex. moteurs pas à pas du type à réluctance variable les rotors étant disposés à l'intérieur des stators
28.
CONTAINING A FIELD OF FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE UNITS
A number of flywheel units are arranged in a geometric pattern. Each of the flywheel units is enclosed in a containment unit. The containment unit includes a cylindrical tube, a cover, a bottom support, resting on the ground, on which the containment unit is mounted, and a fill medium surrounding each containment unit. The containment unit may also include a horizontal plate, mounted to the base of tube, which extends outward or radially from the base of tube a pre-determined length. In this case, the fill medium rests directly on top of the portion of the plate that extends outward from tube.
A number of flywheel units are arranged in a geometric pattern. Each of the flywheel units is enclosed in a containment unit. The containment unit includes a cylindrical tube, a cover, a bottom support, resting on the ground, on which the containment unit is mounted, and a fill medium surrounding each containment unit. The containment unit may also include a horizontal plate, mounted to the base of tube, which extends outward or radially from the base of tube a pre-determined length. In this case, the fill medium rests directly on top of the portion of the plate that extends outward from tube.
A number of flywheel units are arranged in a geometric pattern. Each of the flywheel units is enclosed in a containment unit. The containment unit includes a cylindrical tube, a cover, a bottom support, resting on the ground, on which the containment unit is mounted, and a fill medium surrounding each containment unit. The containment unit may also include a horizontal plate, mounted to the base of tube, which extends outward or radially from the base of tube a pre-determined length. In this case, the fill medium rests directly on top of the portion of the plate that extends outward from tube.
A flywheel device includes structures allowing the flywheel system to be assembled offsite, transported safely, and installed with relatively few steps. The flywheel includes a rotor and a housing enclosing the rotor, where the housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and side walls. The bottom plate and the top plate each includes a hole aligned with the center axis of the rotor. The flywheel also includes multiple bearing housings substantially covering the holes of the bottom plate and the top plate that are aligned to the center axis of the rotor. The flywheel also includes posts that physically contact the primary rotational mass of the rotor to prevent motion of the rotor during transport of the flywheel system. Some or all of these posts may be repositioned or removed during installation so that the rotor can spin freely.
A flywheel device includes structures allowing the flywheel system to be assembled offsite, transported safely, and installed with relatively few steps. The flywheel includes a rotor and a housing enclosing the rotor, where the housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and side walls. The bottom plate and the top plate each includes a hole aligned with the center axis of the rotor. The flywheel also includes multiple bearing housings substantially covering the holes of the bottom plate and the top plate that are aligned to the center axis of the rotor. The flywheel also includes posts that physically contact the primary rotational mass of the rotor to prevent motion of the rotor during transport of the flywheel system. Some or all of these posts may be repositioned or removed during installation so that the rotor can spin freely.
F16C 41/04 - Prévention des dégâts causés aux paliers durant leur stockage ou transport ou lorsqu'ils ne sont pas en service pour une raison quelconque
F16F 15/315 - Volants caractérisés par la disposition du support, p.ex. montages, cages, fixation de l'élément d'inertie à l'arbre
F16H 57/00 - TRANSMISSIONS - Parties constitutives générales des transmissions
33.
Switching fabric for energy storage and power conversion
An energy storage system operable in a charging phase and in a discharging phase is disclosed. The energy storage system includes M energy storage units and N power converters, where M is at least two and N is at least one. The energy storage system also includes a switching fabric that reconfigurably couples the energy storage units to the power converters and a controller that reconfigures the switching fabric.
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
H02J 7/02 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries pour la charge des batteries par réseaux à courant alternatif au moyen de convertisseurs
H02J 7/04 - Régulation du courant ou de la tension de charge
H02J 3/30 - Dispositions pour l'équilibrage de charge dans un réseau par emmagasinage d'énergie utilisant des machines dynamo-électriques accouplées à des volants
An energy storage system operable in a charging phase and in a discharging phase is disclosed. The energy storage system includes M energy storage units and N power converters, where M is at least two and N is at least one. The energy storage system also includes a switching fabric that reconfigurably couples the energy storage units to the power converters and a controller that reconfigures the switching fabric.
H02J 3/38 - Dispositions pour l’alimentation en parallèle d’un seul réseau, par plusieurs générateurs, convertisseurs ou transformateurs
H02J 3/00 - Circuits pour réseaux principaux ou de distribution, à courant alternatif
H02J 3/14 - Circuits pour réseaux principaux ou de distribution, à courant alternatif pour règler la tension dans des réseaux à courant alternatif par changement d'une caractéristique de la charge du réseau par interruption, ou mise en circuit, des charges du réseau, p.ex. charge équilibrée progressivement
H02J 7/00 - Circuits pour la charge ou la dépolarisation des batteries ou pour alimenter des charges par des batteries
H02J 7/04 - Régulation du courant ou de la tension de charge
A flywheel device includes structures allowing the flywheel system to be assembled offsite, transported safely, and installed with relatively few steps. The flywheel includes a rotor and a housing enclosing the rotor, where the housing includes a bottom plate, a top plate and side walls. The bottom plate and the top plate each includes a hole aligned with the center axis of the rotor. The flywheel also includes multiple bearing housings substantially covering the holes of the bottom plate and the top plate that are aligned to the center axis of the rotor. The flywheel also includes posts that physically contact the primary rotational mass of the rotor to prevent motion of the rotor during transport of the flywheel system. Some or all of these posts may be repositioned or removed during installation so that the rotor can spin freely.
Steel alloys provide a low-cost option for manufacturing flywheel rotors. However, such rotors were historically limited to thin sections due to limitations in through- hardenability, which is used to increase fracture toughness so the rotor can handle the stress of high speed operation. Disclosed are various combinations of material selection and manufacturing processes that increase the viable size of flywheel rotors made from steel alloys. For example, a flywheel rotor may include a rotationally symmetric mass made of a single piece of steel having a yield strength of at least 900 MPa, a fracture toughness of at least 40 MPa.cndot.m0.5, and a maximal intrinsic defect size that is 2 mm or smaller. The mass has a diameter along a first axis (e.g., 36 to 72 inches) that is greater than its widest thickness along a second axis (e.g., 8 to 14 inches) about which the mass is configured to rotate.
F03G 3/08 - Autres mécanismes moteurs, p.ex. mécanismes moteurs à gravité ou inertie utilisant des volants
C21D 9/32 - Traitement thermique, p.ex. recuit, durcissement, trempe ou revenu, adapté à des objets particuliers; Fours à cet effet pour roues d'engrenage, roues hélicoïdales, ou équivalent
F16C 13/00 - Rouleaux, tambours, disques ou éléments analogues; Paliers ou leurs montages
An energy storage system including a solid steel flywheel rotor, journals, and separate stub shafts for connecting to the journals has improved material properties offers improved energy storage at reduced cost.
A solid steel flywheel rotor having improved material properties offers improved energy storage at reduced cost. A process for manufacturing the rotor is also provided.
A solid steel flywheel rotor having improved material properties offers improved energy storage at reduced cost. A process for manufacturing the rotor is also provided.
F16C 32/04 - Paliers non prévus ailleurs faisant usage de moyens de support magnétiques ou électriques
F16F 15/03 - Suppression des vibrations dans les systèmes non rotatifs, p.ex. dans des systèmes alternatifs; Suppression des vibrations dans les systèmes rotatifs par l'utilisation d'organes ne se déplaçant pas avec le système rotatif utilisant des moyens électromagnétiques
40.
Apparatus and method for magnetically unloading a rotor bearing
An apparatus and method for unloading a rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes an electromagnet for levitating the rotor. In one embodiment, a sensor of the magnetic field near the electromagnet is used to control the current to levitate the rotor. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes rotating the rotor, increasing the current to levitate the rotor and decrease the gap between electromagnet and rotor, and then reducing the current to levitate the rotor with a minimal amount of electric power to the electromagnet.
H02K 7/02 - Masses additionnelles pour augmenter l'inertie, p.ex. volants
H02K 7/09 - Association structurelle avec des paliers avec des paliers magnétiques
F16C 32/04 - Paliers non prévus ailleurs faisant usage de moyens de support magnétiques ou électriques
F16C 39/06 - Allégement de la charge appliquée aux paliers par moyens magnétiques
H01F 7/20 - Electro-aimants; Actionneurs comportant des électro-aimants sans armature
F16C 19/52 - Paliers à contact de roulement pour mouvement de rotation exclusivement avec dispositifs affectés par des conditions anormales ou indésirables
F16C 19/54 - Systèmes formés d'une pluralité de paliers à frottement de roulement
F16C 19/16 - Paliers à contact de roulement pour mouvement de rotation exclusivement avec roulements à billes essentiellement du même calibre, en une ou plusieurs rangées circulaires pour charges à la fois radiales et axiales avec une seule rangée de billes
41.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAGNETICALLY UNLOADING A ROTOR BEARING
An apparatus and method for unloading a rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes an electromagnet for levitating the rotor. In one embodiment, a sensor of the magnetic field near the electromagnet is used to control the current to levitate the rotor. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes rotating the rotor, increasing the current to levitate the rotor and decrease the gap between electromagnet and rotor, and then reducing the current to levitate the rotor with a minimal amount of electric power to the electromagnet.
F03G 3/08 - Autres mécanismes moteurs, p.ex. mécanismes moteurs à gravité ou inertie utilisant des volants
F16C 32/04 - Paliers non prévus ailleurs faisant usage de moyens de support magnétiques ou électriques
F16C 19/02 - Paliers à contact de roulement pour mouvement de rotation exclusivement avec roulements à billes essentiellement du même calibre, en une ou plusieurs rangées circulaires
42.
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAGNETICALLY UNLOADING A ROTOR BEARING
An apparatus and method for unloading a rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes an electromagnet for levitating the rotor. In one embodiment, a sensor of the magnetic field near the electromagnet is used to control the current to levitate the rotor. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes rotating the rotor, increasing the current to levitate the rotor and decrease the gap between electromagnet and rotor, and then reducing the current to levitate the rotor with a minimal amount of electric power to the electromagnet.
F03G 3/08 - Autres mécanismes moteurs, p.ex. mécanismes moteurs à gravité ou inertie utilisant des volants
F16C 19/02 - Paliers à contact de roulement pour mouvement de rotation exclusivement avec roulements à billes essentiellement du même calibre, en une ou plusieurs rangées circulaires
F16C 32/04 - Paliers non prévus ailleurs faisant usage de moyens de support magnétiques ou électriques
A flywheel is described having a rotor constructed of wire wound onto a central form. The wire is prestressed, thus mitigating stresses that occur during operation. In another aspect, the flywheel incorporates a low-loss motor using electrically non-conducting permanent magnets.
A flywheel is described having a rotor constructed of wire wound onto a central form. The wire is prestressed, thus mitigating stresses that occur during operation. In another aspect, the flywheel incorporates a low-loss motor using electrically non-conducting permanent magnets.
