Stacked Flywheel Plate Assembly for Scalable Energy Storage

Solution Overview

Problem

Current mechanical energy storage solutions, particularly chemical batteries, are expensive, complex, environmentally unfriendly, and have short lifespans, making them unsuitable for residential and utility-scale energy storage.

Innovation Solution

A flywheel-based mechanical energy storage unit that utilizes massive plates clamped together by top and bottom clamping plates, with axles and fasteners applying a clamping force to store energy kinetically, eliminating the need for chemical batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If chemical batteries are used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but cost, complexity, and environmental harm increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical battery systems with a mechanical flywheel energy storage system. The flywheel stores energy kinetically through rotation, eliminating the need for chemical reactions, toxic materials, and complex battery management systems while providing scalable energy storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental storage mechanism from chemical energy to mechanical kinetic energy. By altering the energy storage parameter from chemical potential energy to rotational kinetic energy, the system achieves simplicity, scalability, and environmental friendliness while maintaining energy storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If chemical batteries are used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidlifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical battery systems with a mechanical flywheel energy storage system. The flywheel stores energy kinetically through rotation, eliminating the need for chemical reactions, toxic materials, and complex battery management systems while providing scalable energy storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a modular plate design where individual plates can be replaced independently if damaged, rather than replacing the entire energy storage system. This extends the overall system lifespan while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If chemical batteries are used for energy storage, then energy storage capacity is improved, but environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy storage capacityVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical battery systems with a mechanical flywheel energy storage system. The flywheel stores energy kinetically through rotation, eliminating the need for chemical reactions, toxic materials, and complex battery management systems while providing scalable energy storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the harmful chemical substances and environmental pollution associated with battery production, disposal, and operation by transitioning to a mechanical system that uses inert materials and produces no harmful emissions or waste products.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Device complexity

If mechanical energy storage solutions are used, then simplicity and scalability are improved, but structural stability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the flywheel into multiple modular plates that are stacked together. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing and assembly while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed load-bearing configuration of the stacked plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction with multiple plates of different materials or treatments stacked together, creating a structurally stable flywheel that benefits from the properties of each individual plate while maintaining overall simplicity and scalability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 flywheel system provides a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for energy storage, offering extended lifespan and reduced maintenance compared to traditional batteries.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of fasteners coupling the top clamping plate with the bottom clamping plate, the plurality of fasteners applying a clamping force on the one or more massive plates using at least one of the two or more clamping plates and the two or more axles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClamping force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

A flywheel-based mechanical energy storage unit that utilizes massive plates clamped together by top and bottom clamping plates, with axles and fasteners applying a clamping force to store energy kinetically

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy storage: Flywheel

Data Source

PatentUS12281685B2Stacking flywheel and linkage

Publication Date: 2025.04.22 TORUS INC

AI summary

A flywheel system may include one or more massive plates. A system may include two or more clamping plates including a bottom clamping plate and a top clamping plate, the one or more massive plates being located between the two or more clamping plates. A system may include two or more axles including a top axle and a bottom axle, the bottom axle being physically disconnected from the top axle. A system may include a plurality of fasteners coupling the top clamping plate with the bottom clamping plate, the plurality of fasteners applying a clamping force on the one or more massive plates using at least one of the two or more clamping plates and the two or more axles.