Self-Pumping Vacuum Rotor Layout for Low-Loss Flywheel Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flywheel energy storage units face high costs, maintenance challenges, and friction losses due to the use of turbomolecular pumps, which are sensitive to dirt and particles, and require multiple pumps for efficient operation, increasing the risk of gas or dust escape during rotor crashes.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum rotor system with a hollow rotor and gas removal devices that use centrifugal force to reduce gas pressure, eliminating the need for turbomolecular pumps by employing a self-pumping mechanism, where gas removal devices are strategically placed to efficiently pick up gas and discharge it, reducing friction losses and enhancing system reliability and maintenance friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If turbomolecular pumps are used to generate operating vacuum pressure, then the required vacuum level is achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the main pump function from the traditional vacuum system by using the rotor itself to perform gas removal. The rotor's rotation at high speeds creates centrifugal force that actively transports gas molecules from the rotor housing to the exhaust, eliminating the need for turbomolecular pumps while maintaining the required vacuum level.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor serves dual functions: energy storage and vacuum generation. By designing the rotor with integrated gas removal capability through centrifugal pumping, the system performs self-service where the rotating mass itself creates the vacuum environment without requiring external pump systems.
2Productivity
If multiple pumps are used to achieve efficient vacuum operation, then the operating pressure is optimized, but the maintenance workload and failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex multi-pump vacuum system and replaces it with a single centrifugal pumping mechanism integrated into the rotor. This extraction of the pumping function from separate components and its integration into the rotor eliminates maintenance issues associated with turbomolecular pumps while maintaining vacuum generation efficiency.
3Power
If large suction cross sections are installed for turbomolecular pumps, then the vacuum pumping capacity is sufficient, but the risk of gas or dust escape during rotor crashes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of gas removal by using centrifugal force in the radial direction rather than axial suction. The centrifugal pump channels gas molecules radially outward along the rotor surface to the exhaust, eliminating the need for large axial suction openings and thereby reducing the risk of gas or dust escape during crashes.
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 vacuum rotor system achieves efficient, low-loss operation with reduced maintenance needs and lower component costs, maintaining a low operating vacuum pressure while minimizing the risk of gas or dust escape during crashes, thus enhancing system flexibility and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the rotor itself conveys part of the gas flow that, due to the rotation of the rotor, is moving along the inside of the rotor jacket
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum rotor system is provided comprising a hollow rotor with a rotor jacket that is open at both ends perpendicular to the axis of rotation and with at least two hubs that are connected to the inside of the rotor jacket and that are suitably mounted in appropriate bearings so that the rotor can rotate. A machine housing that encloses the rotor and that has at least one gas outlet opening to discharge gases from the machine housing. A vacuum system that is connected to the gas outlet opening and that has at least one forepump for generating a fore-vacuum pressure in the machine housing. At least one first gas removal device with a gas pick-up opening is arranged in the machine housing between the hub and the appertaining open end of the rotor jacket.