US 2019/0199164 A1 · FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE WITH PM, INDUCTION, OR VARIABLE RELUCTANCE MACHINE

Abstract

An integrated flywheel energy storage device includes an inner stator having an interior support component and multiple stator cores connected to the interior support component, each with an associated stator coil arranged in multiple electrical phases. An outer rotor housing supports multiple active rotor poles which each face inward toward the stator cores, the active rotor poles being permanent magnets, copper relining, an induction squirrel cage, or variable reluctance poles. A vacuum containment housing surrounds the outer rotor housing. The outer rotor housing has a rotational moment of inertia that stores kinetic energy as a kinetic battery, allowing the device to deliver multi-phase electrical power when required. High power density is achieved by integrating the flywheel into the outer rotor housing. The device additionally functions as a gyroscope for stabilizing an exterior structure, or as a gyroscopic reference for navigational purposes when supported on a gimballed platform.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An integrated flywheel energy storage device comprising:

an inner stator defining a centerline, the inner stator including:
an interior stator support component;
a plurality of stator cores connected to the interior support component;
and
a plurality of stator coils, each of the plurality of stator coils being disposed on each of the plurality of stator cores;
and
an outer rotor axially disposed along the centerline and around the inner stator, the outer rotor comprising:
a rotor housing;
and
a plurality of active rotor poles supported by the rotor housing, wherein:
each of the plurality of active rotor poles is disposed on the interior of the outer rotor housing;
and
the plurality of active rotor poles are arranged proximate to the plurality of stator cores.

10 more elements

An electrical energy storage system comprising:

an inner stator defining a centerline, the inner stator including:
an interior stator support component;
a plurality of stator cores connected to the interior support component;
and
a plurality of stator coils, each of the plurality of stator coils being disposed on each of the plurality of stator cores;
and
an outer rotor axially disposed along the centerline and around the inner stator, the outer rotor comprising:
a rotor housing;
and
a plurality of active rotor poles supported by the rotor housing, wherein:
each of the plurality of active rotor poles is disposed on the interior of the outer rotor housing;
and
the plurality of active rotor poles are arranged proximate to the plurality of stator cores;
and
a power control circuit, the power control circuit electrically connected to the plurality of stator coils;
wherein the outer rotor housing is configured to produce rotational torque on the outer rotor housing from electrical power supplied to the plurality of stator coils, thereby converting electrical energy into rotational kinetic energy;
and
wherein the plurality of stator coils are configured to produce electrical power from rotational kinetic energy in the outer rotor housing, thereby converting rotational kinetic energy into electrical energy;
and
wherein the power control circuit configured to:
produce a multi-phase variable frequency waveform from an electrical power input;
and
energize the plurality of stator coils with the multi-phase variable frequency waveform, when operating in an energy storage mode;
and
receive a multi-phase variable frequency waveform from the plurality of stator coils;
and
produce electrical power output from the multi-phase variable frequency waveform, when operating in an energy usage mode.

24 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flywheel energy storage with pm, induction, or variable reluctance machine

Life of this patent

Flywheel energy storage with pm, induction, or variable reluctance machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20