US5628232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flywheel rotor with conical hub and methods of manufacture therefor
Assignee: Beaver Aerospace and Defense Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-13
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Granted: 1997-05-13
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Expires: 2014-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A flywheel rotor used in a flywheel energy storage system providing a high energy storage capacity while providing an ample volume for a high power motor-generator within its envelope includes an outer, primarily cylindrical body having conically tapered end sections, a conical hub section attached to the outer body, and a relatively short inner cylinder, which cylinder connects shaft to the inner portion of the conical hub section. In an exemplary case, the individual components are predominantly constructed of filament wound fiber composites while allowing material choices to be driven by both cost and performance. According to one aspect of the rotor, the inner portion of the inner cylinder can be a slotted aluminum cylinder.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel Bakholdin
- 👤 Robert W. Bosley
- 👤 Harold A. Rosen
- 👤 William Grayer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L50/00; B60L50/30; B62; B62M; B62M1/00; B62M1/10; F; F16; F16C; F16C15/00; 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; F16C2361/00; F16C2361/55; 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; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2117; Y10T74/2119; Y10T74/212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A flywheel rotor for a flywheel energy storage system, comprising: an outer, primarily cylindrical portion including first fibers having a predetermined first tensile strength for storing the majority of total system energy; and a hub portion including: a conical member formed from second fibers of a second predetermined second tensile strength; and a inner cylindrical member operatively connected to a rotatable shaft, said inner cylindrical member comprising: a hexagonal aluminum cylinder; a spring surrounding said hexagonal cylinder; and a plastic annular member operatively connected to said hexagonal aluminum cylinder by said spring, wherein said conical member operatively connects a first end of said outer cylindrical portion with said inner cylindrical member, and wherein said first tensile strength is greater than said second tensile strength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A flywheel rotor for a flywheel energy storage system, comprising: an outer, primarily cylindrical portion including first fibers having a predetermined first tensile strength for storing the majority of total system energy; and a hub portion including: a conical member formed from second fibers of a second predetermined second tensile strength; and a inner cylindrical member operatively connected to a rotatable shaft, said inner cylindrical member comprising: a hexagonal aluminum cylinder; a spring surrounding said hexagonal cylinder; and a plastic annular member operatively connected to said hexagonal aluminum cylinder by said spring, wherein said conical member operatively connects a first end of said outer cylindrical portion with said inner cylindrical member, and wherein said first tensile strength is greater than said second tensile strength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The flywheel rotor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer cylindrical portion comprises: an outer cylindrical member including said first fibers; and an inner cylindrical member comprising a material having a relatively high density and a relatively low modulus of elasticity with respect to said first fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flywheel rotor as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first end and a second end of said outer cylindrical portion are tapered.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The flywheel rotor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and second ends of said outer cylindrical portion are tapered so as to permit reduction of radial stresses at an intersection between said hub portion and said outer cylindrical portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flywheel rotor as claimed in claim 4, wherein the radius of said inner cylindrical member is sized so as to permit said conical member to intersect said outer cylindrical portion to thereby form a conical angle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The flywheel rotor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first and second ends of said outer cylindrical portion are tapered so as to permit reduction of radial stresses at an intersection between said hub portion and said outer cylindrical portion and wherein said inner cylindrical member permits reduction in radial stress in a center region of said outer cylindrical portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flywheel rotor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fibers and said second fibers are carbon fibers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
148 words
A flywheel energy storage system, comprising: a motor-generator; and a rotor, said rotor comprising: an outer, primarily cylindrical portion including first fibers having a predetermined first tensile strength for storing the majority of total system energy; and a hub portion including: a conical member formed from second fibers of a second predetermined second tensile strength; and an inner cylindrical member operatively connected to a rotatable shaft, said inner cylinder member comprising: a hexagonal cylinder; a spring surrounding said hexagonal cylinder; and a plastic annular member, wherein said hexagonal cylinder and said plastic annular member are operatively connected by said spring, wherein said conical member operatively connects a first end of said outer cylindrical portion with said inner cylindrical member, wherein said first tensile strength is greater than said second tensile strength, and wherein a portion of said motor-generator is disposed within a cavity defined by said conical member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A flywheel energy storage system, comprising: a motor-generator; and a rotor, said rotor comprising: an outer, primarily cylindrical portion including first fibers having a predetermined first tensile strength for storing the majority of total system energy; and a hub portion including: a conical member formed from second fibers of a second predetermined second tensile strength; and an inner cylindrical member operatively connected to a rotatable shaft, said inner cylinder member comprising: a hexagonal cylinder; a spring surrounding said hexagonal cylinder; and a plastic annular member, wherein said hexagonal cylinder and said plastic annular member are operatively connected by said spring, wherein said conical member operatively connects a first end of said outer cylindrical portion with said inner cylindrical member, wherein said first tensile strength is greater than said second tensile strength, and wherein a portion of said motor-generator is disposed within a cavity defined by said conical member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The flywheel energy storage system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first fibers and said second fibers are carbon fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The flywheel energy storage system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said hub portion is operatively connected to a first end of said outer cylindrical portion and wherein said first end is conically tapered in an axial direction so as to permit a reduction in radial stress in a region where said hub portion is connected to said outer cylindrical portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-11-11 | 2001-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-11-11 | 2005-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-11-11 | 2009-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |