US5462402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flywheel energy storage system with integral molecular pump
Assignee: Beaver Aerospace and Defense Inc
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Filing: 1994-02-22
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Granted: 1995-10-31
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Expires: 2014-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A flywheel assembly used for mobile energy storage incorporates a molecular pump and an internal chamber containing molecular sieves. The molecular pump shares the shaft, bearings, and motor of the flywheel rotor, and maintains the high vacuum desired in the vicinity of the flywheel rotor. The gases which evolve from the rotor during its operational life are pumped into the chamber containing the molecular sieves where they are adsorbed.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Bakholdin
- 👤 Robert W. Bosley
- 👤 Chris C. Pearson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/30; B62; B62M; B62M1/00; B62M1/10; F; F16; F16F; F16F15/00; F16F15/30; F16F15/302; F16F15/305; F16F15/315; H; H02; H02K; H02K5/00; H02K5/04; H02K5/16; H02K5/173; H02K7/00; H02K7/02; H02K7/025; H02K7/08; H02K7/083; H02K7/09; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/16; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/64; Y02T10/70; Y10; Y10S; Y10S903/00; Y10S903/902; Y10S903/903; Y10S903/96
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An integral flywheel energy storage system, comprising: a sealed housing; a baffle including an orifice dividing said housing into a low pressure first chamber and a relatively high pressure second chamber; a shaft suspended between first bearings located in said first chamber and second bearing in said second chamber, said shaft being disposed within said orifice; a flywheel disposed within the first chamber spinning at high speed; and a molecular pump operatively connected so as to be driven by said shaft for pumping gas molecules from said first chamber to said second chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An integral flywheel energy storage system, comprising: a sealed housing; a baffle including an orifice dividing said housing into a low pressure first chamber and a relatively high pressure second chamber; a shaft suspended between first bearings located in said first chamber and second bearing in said second chamber, said shaft being disposed within said orifice; a flywheel disposed within the first chamber spinning at high speed; and a molecular pump operatively connected so as to be driven by said shaft for pumping gas molecules from said first chamber to said second chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The integral flywheel energy storage system as recited in claim 1, further comprising molecular sieves disposed in said second chamber for adsorbing said gas molecules discharged by said pump.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The integral flywheel energy storage system as recited in claim 2, wherein said gas molecules are produced during aging of said flywheel and wherein said molecular sieves are characterized by an affinity for said gas molecules.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The integral flywheel energy storage systems as recited in claim 3, wherein said gas molecules are absorbed by said molecular sieves so as to prevent said absorbed gas molecules from contributing to pressure in said second chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The integral flywheel energy storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein said molecular pump is a molecular drag pump.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The integral flywheel energy storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein said molecular pump is a molecular drag pump including a plurality of spiral grooves formed in a stator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The integral flywheel energy storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein said molecular pump is a turbo-molecular pump.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The integral flywheel energy storage system as recited in claim 1, wherein said molecular pump is a hybrid molecular pump, comprising: a turbo-molecular pump section; and a molecular drag pump section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
A pressure maintenance system for a flywheel energy storage system including a sealed housing, a shaft suspended between first and second bearings operatively connect to said housing, said shaft supporting a flywheel rotor spinning at high speed and evolving gas molecules, said system comprising: a baffle including an orifice dividing the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber being maintained at first and second predetermined pressures, respectively; and a molecular pump operatively connected so as to be driven by said shaft for pumping the gas molecules from said first chamber to said second chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A pressure maintenance system for a flywheel energy storage system including a sealed housing, a shaft suspended between first and second bearings operatively connect to said housing, said shaft supporting a flywheel rotor spinning at high speed and evolving gas molecules, said system comprising: a baffle including an orifice dividing the housing into a first chamber and a second chamber being maintained at first and second predetermined pressures, respectively; and a molecular pump operatively connected so as to be driven by said shaft for pumping the gas molecules from said first chamber to said second chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 9, further comprising molecular sieves disposed in said second chamber for adsorbing said gas molecules discharged by said pump.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 10, wherein said gas molecules are produced by said flywheel as said flywheel ages and wherein said molecular sieves are characterized by an affinity for said gas molecules.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 10, wherein said gas molecules of a predetermined size are produced by said flywheel, wherein said gas molecules are absorbed by said molecular sieves characterized by an affinity for said gas molecules, wherein said molecular sieves have a pressure influenced adsorption rate and wherein said predetermined second pressure is between a minimum absorption rate and shut off head of said molecular pump.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 9, wherein said molecular pump is a molecular drag pump.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 9, wherein said molecular pump is a molecular drag pump including a plurality of spiral grooves formed in a pump stator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 9, wherein said molecular pump is a turbo-molecular pump.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pressure maintenance system as recited in claim 9, wherein said molecular pump is a hybrid molecular pump, comprising a turbo-molecular pump stage and a molecular drag pump stage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-30 | 1999-05-01 | 1999-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-30 | 2003-05-01 | 2003-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-30 | 2007-05-01 | 2007-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |