Electricity: single generator systems – With flywheels or massive moving parts
Patent
1987-12-21
1991-05-14
Hickey, R. J.
Electricity: single generator systems
With flywheels or massive moving parts
74572, 310 905, F16C 1500, H02J 1500
Patent
active
050159402
ABSTRACT:
The maximum kinetic energy per unit weight which can be stored in a rotating article, such as a flywheel, is a function of the tensile strength and the density of the material and is dramatically increased by subjecting it to an externally applied, inwardly directed radial pressure. The additional pressure is imposed by external means and is independent of the rotational motion of the article per se. Suitable pressurizing methods include magnetic containment, super-atmospheric gas containment, electrostatic containment and the like.
As a result of the external pressure, the maximum stored energy per unit of mass (E.sub.max /m) of a rim flywheel can be greatly increased in accordance with the relationship: ##EQU1## where .delta. is the uniform tensile strength of the flywheel material, .rho. is its density, R is the radius of the flywheel, and P is the external pressure. As a result, the maximum storage energy per unit mass of a flywheel need no longer be limited solely by its tensile strength and density in accordance with the classical first term of this equation.
This invention enables the practical use of flywheels for storing energy during off-peak power plant operation with subsequent extraction during peak demand periods, for powering vehicles and for numerous other applications. The phenomenon underlying this invention can also be used to improve the overall performance of rotating articles in general, e.g., by providing a method for correcting dynamic imbalances.
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