Matched metal die compression molded structural random fiber sheet molding compound flywheel
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsSatish V. Kulkarni, Richard M. Christensen, Richard H. Toland
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Abstract
A flywheel (10) is described that is useful for energy storage in a hybrid vehicle automotive power system or in some stationary applications. The flywheel (10) has a body of essentially planar isotropic high strength structural random fiber sheet molding compound (SMC-R). The flywheel (10) may be economically produced by a matched metal die compression molding process. The flywheel (10) makes energy intensive efficient use of a fiber/resin composite while having a shape designed by theory assuming planar isotropy.
Claims4
A matched metal die compression molded flywheel body which is fundamentally planar isotropic only in all planes perpendicular to an axis of rotation, which comprises:
- a multiplicity of plies of sheet molding compound;
- each of said plies comprising a randomly oriented fiber and a resin compacted to be planar isotropic only in the plane of each said ply;
- and
- each of said plies being positioned essentially perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said flywheel body so that said flywheel body is fundamentally planar isotropic only in all planes perpendicular to said axis of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.