US 11,606,002 B2 · Flywheel energy storage system

Abstract

Flywheel system properties are enhanced with rim designs that control stress at operational rotational velocities. The tensile strength of fiber-resin composites can be aligned with radial forces to improve radial stress loading. Loops with composite casings can be arranged around the flywheel circumference with a majority of the fibers being aligned in the radial direction. The loops can enclose masses that contribute to energy storage in the flywheel system. Masses can be arranged around the hub circumference with a hoop wound composite casing enclosing the masses and hub. The masses subjected to radial forces are radially displaced with increasing rotational velocity and can provide compressive force to the fiber-resin composite to contribute to maintaining composite integrity. With the alignment of fibers in hoop or radial directions, higher loading permits increase rotational velocities, which can significantly add to the amount of energy stored or produced with the flywheel.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A flywheel for a flywheel energy storage system, comprising:

a hub configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis;
at least one member having a laminate casing connected to the hub, the laminate casing is formed with an enclosed space for housing at least one mass with a fixed shape, the enclosed space is structured and designed to control radial displacement of the at least one mass, so the at least one mass radially displaces and is positioned to apply a controllable compressive load on the laminate casing,
wherein upon rotation, an operational radial force applies a through thickness laminate radial load to the laminate casing, while simultaneously radially displacing the at least one mass to apply the controllable compressive load on the laminate casing, the applied controllable compressive load increases a predetermined laminate loading capacity by an amount of compressive load counteracting the through thickness laminate radial load, resulting in a corresponding increase in a flywheel angular velocity, that therefore increases an amount of energy stored by the flywheel energy storage system.

A flywheel, comprising:

a hub configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis;
at least one member having a laminate casing connected to the hub, the laminate casing is formed with an enclosed space for housing at least one mass with a fixed shape, the enclosed space is structured to control radial displacement of the at least one mass, so the at least one mass radially displaces and is positioned to apply a controllable compressive load on the laminate casing,
wherein upon rotation, an operational radial force applies a through thickness laminate radial load to the laminate casing, while simultaneously radially displacing the at least one mass to apply the controllable compressive load on the laminate casing, the applied controllable compressive load increases a predetermined laminate loading capacity by an amount of compressive load counteracting the through thickness laminate radial load, resulting in a corresponding increase in a flywheel angular velocity, that therefore increases an amount of energy stored by the flywheel energy storage system.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flywheel energy storage system

Life of this patent

Flywheel energy storage system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19