Repulsive lift systems, flywheel energy storage systems utilizing such systems and methods related thereto

A passive-repulsive rotor assembly lift system for a flywheel energy storage system, the lift system comprising:

• a first permanent magnet being mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly;
• a second permanent magnet mechanically coupled to a fixed member of the flywheel energy storage system;
• wherein the first permanent magnet produces a first magnetic flux field having a first magnetic pole and the second permanent magnet produces a second magnetic flux field having a second magnetic pole and said first and said second permanent magnets are structured and arranged so that the first and second magnetic poles are of the same pole and said first and said second permanent magnets oppose each other, thereby creating a repulsive force that causes the first permanent magnet to move with respect to the second permanent magnet and thus lift the rotor assembly to an operational position;
• and
• a damping mechanism for imposing a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial component of the repulsive force developed between said first and second permanent magnets, and the damping mechanism also is a bearing damper system for the rotor assembly, the bearing damper system being in contact with a rolling element bearing assembly, wherein the rolling element bearing assembly maintains direct contact with the rotor assembly.

A flywheel energy storage system, comprising:

• a rotor assembly;
• a support structure;
• a first permanent magnet, having a first magnetic pole, being mechanically coupled to the rotor assembly such that in operation the first permanent magnet moves axially, causing the rotor assembly to move in a predetermined, axial direction;
• a second permanent magnet, having a second magnetic pole, mechanically coupled to the support structure, wherein the second permanent magnet is positioned with respect to the first permanent magnet so that the first magnetic pole is the same as the second magnetic pole so as to oppose each other, thereby causing the first permanent magnet to move axially with respect to the second permanent magnet;
• and
• a damping mechanism for imposing a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial repulsive force developed between the first and second permanent magnets, and the damping mechanism also is a bearing damper system for the rotor assembly, the bearing damper system being in contact with a rolling element bearing assembly, wherein the rolling element bearing assembly maintains direct contact with the rotor assembly.