Flywheel Rotor Limit Assembly for High-Speed Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flywheel energy storage systems have low energy storage capacity and lack reliable safety measures to protect against rotor instability during high-speed rotation.
Innovation Solution
A flywheel energy storage device with a housing, flywheel rotor, bearings, and a limit assembly that includes movable bearing covers and a buffer to constrain and buffer axial and radial displacements, along with magnetic assemblies for levitation and magnetic bearings for stability, enhancing safety and energy storage up to 1000 kilowatt-hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the flywheel rotor operates at high speed to increase energy storage capacity, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the rotor stability deteriorates and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets up limit assemblies with bearing covers and buffers before rotor instability occurs. These limit assemblies include first and second bearing covers that can move along the axial direction, and buffers that provide cushioning forces when the rotor displaces abnormally, preventing catastrophic failure while allowing high-speed operation for increased energy storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic bearings as an intermediary between the rotor and housing. The magnetic bearings include first and second magnetic bearing assemblies that generate magnetic fields to support and stabilize the rotor during high-speed rotation, reducing mechanical contact and friction while maintaining rotor stability and safety.
2Reliability
If protective structures are added to constrain rotor displacement, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The limit assembly serves multiple functions: it constrains axial displacement of the rotor, provides cushioning through movable bearing covers and buffers, and works cooperatively with magnetic bearings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing covers are arranged nested within the housing, with the first bearing cover surrounding the first shaft portion and the second bearing cover surrounding the second shaft portion. The limit assembly components are nested within each other, creating a compact protective structure that minimizes space occupation and reduces overall structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves high energy storage capacity and provides excellent protection in both radial and axial directions, ensuring high safety during rotor instability, with magnetic levitation reducing energy loss and enhancing stability.
Implementation Method 1
The third bearing includes a first bearing ring and a second bearing ring, which are movable relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
the limit assembly includes a buffer, adapted to apply a force to the first bearing cover or the second bearing cover to buffer an impact of the flywheel rotor
Implementation Method 3
a magnetic force is generated between the first magnet and the second magnet and between the third magnet and the fourth magnet, thereby enabling the flywheel rotor to levitate in the installation chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A flywheel energy storage device includes a housing, a flywheel rotor, a first bearing, a second bearing and a limit assembly. The housing defines an installation chamber. The flywheel rotor is arranged in the installation chamber and rotatable in the installation chamber. The flywheel rotor includes a rotor portion, a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. The first shaft portion is positioned at one side of the rotor portion, and the second shaft portion is positioned at another side of the rotor portion. The first bearing is arranged to surround an outer circumference of the first shaft portion; and the second bearing is arranged to surround an outer circumference of the second shaft portion. The limit assembly is arranged at an end of the first shaft portion or an end of the second shaft portion.