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US 2012/0060643 A1Published application
Energy storage device
AssigneeEmpire Technology Development LLC
InventorChristopher A. Wiklof
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Energy storage devices for storing energy are provided. An energy storage device includes a flywheel disposed in a chamber of a journal. A gas bearing is formed between an outer face of the flywheel and an inner face of the journal. The gas bearing exerts a compressive force on the flywheel, which allows for higher rotational velocities and higher energy storage.
Claims20
An energy storage device comprising:
- a journal having a chamber;
- a flywheel disposed in the chamber of the journal, wherein the flywheel rotates about an axis and stores energy kinetically;
- and
- a gas bearing between the journal and the flywheel, wherein the gas bearing exerts a compressive force on the flywheel.
1 more element
An energy storage system comprising:
- a gas supply that provides at least one gas;
- an energy storage device having a flywheel, wherein the at least one gas is provided to the energy storage device to form a gas bearing that exerts a compressive force on the flywheel;
- and
- a controller that controls a flow of the at least one gas to the energy storage device.
1 more element
A method for providing a gas bearing in an energy storage device, the method comprising:
- providing gas to an energy storage device, wherein the energy storage device includes a flywheel disposed in a chamber of a journal and wherein the gas forms a gas bearing between an outer face of the flywheel and an inner face of the journal, wherein the gas bearing exerts a compressive force on the flywheel;
- monitoring a rotational velocity of the flywheel;
- and
- controlling the gas based on the rotational velocity of the flywheel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.