Abstract: A dynamo system comprises a flywheel mounted on a shaft intermediate its ends. A circular track in the dynamo system includes an inward groove structure to keep the ends of the shaft tracked inside while the flywheel rotating and spinning, the shaft's ends is dangling inside the circular track so that the shaft's ends will move freely along the circular course of the circular track while the flywheel rotates and spins.

Abstract: The assembly is characterized in that the casing (62) of the engine of the motor vehicle carries, fastened to it, an axially projecting sleeve (246), in that the crankshaft (11) is lengthened axially by an extension (111), which firstly penetrates into the interior of the sleeve (246), and secondly serves for fastening the flywheel(13) of the clutch, and in that a bearing (346) is interposed radially between the extension (111) and the sleeve (246), being located radially inwards of the rotor (6).

Abstract: A magneto-generator includes a bowl-shaped flywheel and plural magnets disposed internally of the flywheel. A guard ring of a cylindrical shape is disposed in intimate contact with the plural magnets. The guard ring is provided with retaining portions formed at a bottom side of the flywheel and a discontinuous flange portion formed at the side opposite to the retaining portions. The magnets are positioned fixedly, being sandwiched between the retaining portions and the discontinuous flange portion. A space formed between the flywheel and the guard ring is filled with resin for securing the magnets integrally with the flywheel. A generator coil is disposed internally of the flywheel in opposition to the magnets for electromagnetically generating electricity. The guard ring is of a thin structure, ensuring high efficiency for the generation of electricity.

Abstract: A mass magnifier is created by combining the properties of permanent magnets or electromagnets with the property of mu-metal to create a novel energy storage device. In a system mu-metal is placed in the magnetic field created by a magnet or electromagnetic in a manner to provide an energy storage device, similar to a fly wheel. The system includes a set of magnets arranged in a circle around a cylinder in a stationary position, effectively forming a stator. Another set of opposing magnets are arranged to form a rotor. When the rotor is rotated, mu-metal material is inserted between the rotor and stator magnets in a manner so that the rotor will remain in motion in a desired rotation direction, even if an opposing force is applied to the rotor axle. The system, thus, forms an energy storage device similar to a fly wheel. The system can also provide energy storage for conventional machines or for smaller micro-technology or nano-technology type devices.

Abstract: The variable inertia flywheel of the present invention is much simpler than prior art variable inertia flywheels and has very few moving parts. Movement of the liquid mass contained within the flywheel body is accomplished by the centrifugal force and friction of the rotating flywheel. The variable inertia flywheel of the present invention comprises a flywheel body with a liquid chamber disposed around the periphery of the flywheel body. The liquid chamber has an outer wall and an inner wall with one or more symmetrically spaced valves attached to a wall within the liquid chamber, and one or more symmetrically spaced external filling holes for filling a liquid into the liquid chamber. The flywheel body also includes a central hub for mounting the flywheel body to a shaft. Optionally, one or more manually adjustable vanes also may be attached by a central pin to the front and rear surfaces of the liquid chamber of the flywheel body.

Abstract: A drive system which has a drive unit with a drive shaft; a centrifugal mass arrangement, which is mounted on the drive shaft; and an electrical machine, comprising a stator arrangement and a rotor arrangement, where the rotor arrangement is mounted on the centrifugal mass arrangement, and where the stator arrangement and the rotor arrangement are adjacent to each other in the radial direction. So that optimum use can be made of the space available inside the drive unit, and so that the overall length of the drive unit required in the axial direction relative to the axis of rotation (A) can be kept as short as possible, the centrifugal mass arrangement has a contour such that, relative to the axis of rotation (A), a receiving space (71) is formed radially inside the electrical machine. The receiving space is bounded on at least one side by the centrifugal mass arrangement, and at least one additional component of the drive unit is installed in the receiving space.

Abstract: Electric power is stored in a flywheel assembly, from a dc power buss, and supplied to the buss, through electronics associated with a motor/generator, its rotor integral with a flywheel supported by magnetic bearings. Upon operation, the flywheel assembly is released by mechanical backup bearings which then normally remain disengaged until shutdown as the flywheel assembly is levitated by the axial magnetic field. Enhancements developed herein smooth the flux density across discontinuities or segments present in permanent magnets due to presently limited capability for manufacture of large annular magnetic members. Herein, the introduction of a medium such as a steel cylindrical member to directly interface with the rotor as opposed to the segmented permanent magnet, greatly eradicates induced eddy current and heat on the rotor. In addition, exhibited is an annularly slotted rotor which allows for greater surface area for flux absorption.

Abstract: The disclosed energy storage and gyroscopic stabilizing system may be used in a marine vessel so as to supply energy, retrieve energy, and dampen the roll motion of the marine vessel. The system may comprise a rotating member configured to be rotatable and to dampen a roll motion of the marine vessel and a motor/generator in communication with the rotating member and configured to supply energy to and retrieve energy from the rotating member.

Abstract: A power system includes an engine, a motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a starter operatively connected to at least one of the engine and the motor/generator.

Abstract: A permanent-magnet generator includes a flywheel having a ringlike portion and a bottom portion which closes off one end of the ringlike portion and a plurality of protrusions bulging inward from the bottom portion of the flywheel. An irregular surface portion is formed in each of the protrusions for producing turbulence when the flywheel rotates, the irregular surface portion being irregularly shaped in section along a circumferential direction of the flywheel.

Abstract: A magneto generator can provide a flywheel with a high circularity while reducing man hours in processing the flywheel. A bowl-shaped flywheel has a cylindrical portion and a bottom. A plurality of permanent magnets are arranged on an inner peripheral wall surface of the cylindrical portion. A magnet cover is arranged along inner surfaces of the magnets, bent into a cylindrical shape, and has its opposite ends bonded to each other by a diametrally extending joint portion. A resin material is arranged on an inner side of the flywheel to integrate the magnets and the magnet cover with the flywheel. The flywheel is formed, at the bottom side of the cylindrical portion, with a pair of concave and convex portions arranged in opposition to each other. The joint portion is sandwiched between the concave and convex portions whereby the circumferential positioning of the magnets with respect to the flywheel is performed.

Abstract: Today modern large commercial wind turbines enable large quantities of electrical power diverted from the wind. The short comings are that they need a pitch control mechanism to turn the turbine blades to capture to wind at different angles on the surface area of the blades. This is feature is mostly due to the inadequacies of the conventional generator technology. The Centrifugally Active Variable Flux Generator features moveable permanent magnets that enable variable magnetic flux control that can automatically control the amount of magnetic flux to the stators by the annular velocity of the rotors, therefore control the amount of output electrical power in different wind speeds without the need for a pitch control system on the blades. Modern wind turbines have pitch control system needed to keep the wind turbine operating in the proper rotor speed for efficiency. The present invention enables a wind turbine to be fitted with a fixed turbine blade without the need of a pitch control system.

Abstract: A magnet generator including a bowl-shaped flywheel which is formed of a cylindrical portion and a bottom portion on one end side of the cylindrical portion, a plurality of magnets which are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the flywheel, and a power generation coil which generates power under an electromagnetic induction action with the magnets and which is disposed in opposition to the magnets within the flywheel, wherein the flywheel has a plurality of vent holes in its bottom portion, and the hole base part of each of the vent holes is formed in a droop shape. Owing to the droop shape, a cooling efficiency is enhanced, and a job for treating burrs and laps after cutting working can be relieved to enhance a productivity.

Abstract: A magnetic control wheel having a flywheel and a magnetic ring. The magnetic ring is a plate with magnetic permeability that is mounted around the periphery of the flywheel. The connection line at the front and rear joint of the magnetic ring meets an end face of the flywheel at a non-right angle. The reaction of this connection line to the magnetic field of the magnets is focused at only one point rather than at a line at the same time. In this way, the vibration and noise of the magnetic control wheel can be considerably minimized to achieve a longer service life.

Abstract: An oscillator typically includes several pivotable oscillating arms each having a drive magnet and a follower magnet thereon so that the drive magnet on one arm drives movement of the follower magnet on another arm to oscillatingly pivot the other arm. Typically, a first repelling magnet is mounted on each oscillating arm and two repelling magnets are positioned on opposite sides of the first repelling magnet to facilitate the pivotal oscillation of the oscillating arm. A rotatable flywheel with a drive magnet thereon may drive movement of the follower magnet on one of the arms to drive pivotal movement of that arm. An electric motor may be used to drive rotation of the flywheel. A generating magnet may be mounted on each oscillating arm and movable adjacent an electrically conductive coil for producing an electric current therein. The coil may be in electrical communication with the motor.

Abstract: A crash management system for implementation in a flywheel energy storage system (FESS) is provided. Implementation of such a system entails designing an FESS rim that is highly failure resistant, and designing the FESS such that if one, some, or even all of its components fail, they are physically prevented from accumulating and releasing enough energy to cause rim burst, thus leaving the rim intact and capable of safely remaining spinning even after one or more FESS component failures have occurred.

Abstract: An encoder alternator for an internal combustion engine has a rotor with a plurality of circumferential magnetic rotor poles in a periodic pattern except for at least one magnetic irregularity. A sensor coil is wound around a stator pole and outputs a crankshaft position sensor signal when the magnet irregularity of the rotor passes the stator pole.

Abstract: A method for making a rotor for a permanent magnet electric motor comprising the steps of providing an annular permanent magnet and an annular back-up member. Affixing the magnet to the inner surface of the back-up member in an un-magnetized condition and overmolding both in an injection molding process while controlling the flow of the molten plastic so as to cause the plastic to engage the opposite sides of the magnet at substantially the same time resulting in a knit line intermediate the magnet sides on the inner surface of the magnet. Magnetizing the magnet.

Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a transient power source that includes a flywheel that stores kinetic energy. In the event of a loss of main or operating power, the kinetic energy stored in the flywheel is converted into electrical energy. As one example, the rotation of the flywheel drives a generator that converts this mechanical (i.e., kinetic energy) into electrical energy. Additionally, the exemplary flywheel, as one embodiment, generates a cooling airflow for various components of the electrical machine. Thus, the rotation of the flywheel not only generates power, but also cools the various components of the transient power source as well.

Abstract: A magneto generator can reduce the man-hours of processing and an amount of use (i.e., an amount of material) of permanent magnets used per generator. The magneto generator includes a bowl-shaped flywheel that rotates about an axis of rotation, a plurality of permanent magnets that are fixedly secured to an inner peripheral wall surface of the flywheel, a stator core that is arranged at an inner side of the permanent magnets and has a plurality of teeth protruding to a radially outer side, and magneto coils that are formed of conductors wound around the teeth, respectively. Each of the permanent magnets is composed of a plurality of magnet pieces that are formed by dividing a hexahedral magnet main body with a division surface extending in a radial direction.

Abstract: A torque converter device comprises a flywheel rotatable about a first axis, the flywheel including a first body portion having a first radius from a circumferential surface and a first radius of curvature, a first plurality of magnets mounted in the first body portion, each having first ends disposed from the circumferential surface of the first body portion, and each of the first ends of first plurality of magnets having a second radius of curvature similar to the first radius of curvature of the first body portion, a second plurality of magnets mounted in the first body portion, each of the second plurality of magnets being disposed from the circumferential surface of the first body portion, and a generator disk rotatable about a second axis angularly offset with respect to the first axis, the generator disk including a second body portion, and a third plurality of magnets within the second body portion for magnetically coupling to the first and second pluralities of magnets.

Abstract: A magnet assembly includes a back iron and an array of magnets. The back iron is in the form of a plate having opposed surfaces. The magnets are arranged along one of the surfaces, with the other surface being dimensioned and configured according to the magnetic field distribution associated with the magnets. The back iron geometry provides for reduced mass, reduced leakage flux, and high flux densities to improve performance of a linear motor that employs such a magnet assembly. Additionally, the back iron can be a magnetically conductive annular ring, such as is employed in a rotary motor. Moreover, the magnets can be arranged in a manner that generates a Halbach array to increase force output in a desired direction while canceling stray magnetic fields in other directions. Similar reduced-mass designs can be employed in conjunction with a back iron of a fixed cross-section and magnets of variable thicknesses, variable lengths, and/or variable widths.

Abstract: A permanent magnet type generator includes a rotor having 4n (n is a positive integer) permanent magnet poles disposed in a circumferential direction of the rotor to have circumferential gap between adjoining poles and a stator that has 3n teeth and coils wound around the teeth. The stator core includes a pair of core end plates and a laminate core disposed between the core end plates. Each core end plate has a circumferential width that relates to the gap distance at portions opposite the permanent magnet poles.

Abstract: A torque converter device comprises a flywheel rotatable about a first axis, the flywheel including a first body portion having a first radius from a circumferential surface and a first radius of curvature, a first plurality of magnets mounted in the first body portion, each having first ends disposed from the circumferential surface of the first body portion, and each of the first ends of first plurality of magnets having a second radius of curvature similar to the first radius of curvature of the first body portion, a second plurality of magnets mounted in the first body portion, each of the second plurality of magnets being disposed from the circumferential surface of the first body portion, and a generator disk rotatable about a second axis angularly offset with respect to the first axis, the generator disk including a second body portion, and a third plurality of magnets within the second body portion for magnetically coupling to the first and second pluralities of magnets.

Abstract: A magneto-generator, a method of manufacturing the same and a resin molding die for manufacturing the same. In the magneto-generator, a guard ring is omitted with the performance of the magneto-generator being enhanced. The magneto-generator is manufactured by making use of a resin molding die (21) having an outer peripheral surface (21d) to be positioned in opposition to an inner peripheral surface of a flywheel (11) and projections (21a) provided in the outer peripheral surface (21d) for holding a plurality of magnets (12) at predetermined positions, respectively. The magnets (12) are positioned and held stationarily at predetermined positions by the aforementioned projections, respectively, and spaces defined between the resin molding die (21) and the inner peripheral surface of the flywheel (11) are filled with a resin. After hardening of the resin, the resin molding die (21) is detached from the flywheel (11).

Abstract: A bearing damping system for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices, an evacuated energy storage system including such a bearing damping system for damping vibrations produced by the rotating shaft and conducting heat from bearings and/or bearing assemblies; and a method for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices. The bearing damping system includes one or more flexible bearing dampers in combination with one or more heat transferring rosettes. The heat transferring rosettes comprise a flexible thermally conductive member that transfers heat by conduction from the bearings, bearing assemblies and/or heat generating devices to a remote heat sink.

Abstract: A rise in temperature of magneto coils can be suppressed, thereby improving the electrical efficiency, service life and reliability thereof. A flywheel (3) has a cylindrical portion (4), and is rotatable about an axis of rotation A—A. A plurality of magnets (7) are mounted on an inner peripheral surface of the flywheel (3) so as to rotate therewith. A stator core (10) has a plurality of teeth (12) protruded outwardly in a diametral direction, and is disposed in opposition to the magnets (7). Conductive wires are wound around the teeth (12), respectively, to form magneto coils (11). The stator core (10) has a laminated core (15) formed of a plurality of magnetic sheet steel plates laminated one over another, and a pair of end plates (16, 17) disposed so as to sandwich opposite side surfaces of the laminated core (15). At least one of the pair of end plates (16, 17) is made of aluminum whose heat radiation is higher than the magnetic sheet steel plates.

Abstract: A magnetoelectric generator includes a bowl-like flywheel (3) having a bottom portion (6) formed with ventilation holes (20), a plurality of permanent magnets (7) secured to an inner circumferential surface of the flywheel (3), a stator core (10) disposed within the flywheel (3) and having peripheral side surfaces facing the permanent magnets (7), and a coil assembly (11) implemented by winding an electric conductor on the core (10). Electricity is induced in the coil assembly (11) by AC magnetic field produced by rotating the flywheel (3). A peripheral edge portion of each ventilation hole (20) is formed with a projecting portion (21) by plastic deformation, which protrudes toward the coil assembly (11) for producing turbulent air flows internally of the flywheel (3) upon rotation of the flywheel (3).

Abstract: A torque converter includes a flywheel rotating about a first axis, the flywheel including a first body portion, a first plurality of permanent magnets mounted in the first body portion, each of the first plurality of permanent magnets extending along a corresponding radial axis direction with respect to the first axis, and a second plurality of permanent magnets mounted in the first body portion, each of the second plurality of permanent magnets being located between a corresponding adjacent pair of the first plurality of permanent magnets, and a generator disk rotatable about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the generator disk including a second body portion, and a third plurality of permanent magnets within the second body portion magnetically coupled to the first and second pluralities of permanent magnets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flywheel system with a variable speed synchronous reluctance motor-generator and a variable speed permanent magnet generator for providing backup power. The flywheel system incorporates rotating elements supported by electromagnetic bearings. Electric power provided by the backup generator maintains electromagnetic bearing operation during that portion of the coast down period when shaft speed falls below the minimum required for operation of the synchronous reluctance motor-generator.

Abstract: A life counter that calculates and records the life utilized of the flywheel in a flywheel energy storage system and indicates when it should be removed from service, based on operational history instead of monitoring for symptoms of failure. The life counter can effectively monitor and measure any or all of the flywheel energy storage system parameters, such as the flywheel structural life, vacuum system life, bearing system life and electronics life. The life counter ensures safe operation of highly stressed flywheels by indicating when the safety margin for the flywheel is reached so that the flywheel energy storage system can be removal from service prior to encountering a risk of catastrophic failure. In some cases, failures may not be preceded by measurable warning symptoms, so removal from service at a calculated end of life would be desirable.

Abstract: The invention, intended primarily for use in a steel flywheel power source (30), provides a vacuum system and a method of maintaining a vacuum inside a flywheel chamber (32) for the life of the power source (30). The vacuum system combines the use of cleaning and de-gassing treatments in the chamber (32) and vacuum tempering of the steel flywheel (31) with the use of a chemical type metal alloy nonevaporable getter, such as zirconium-vanadium-iron, that cooperatively matches the outgassing of the flywheel (31) and chamber (32) by sorbing those gases that are released. The getter may be reactivated throughout the life of the flywheel system by reheating it with an integral heater that is triggered by a timer instead of a vacuum gauge to increase the system reliability, using power taken directly from the energy stored in the flywheel.

Abstract: A crash management system for implementation in a flywheel energy storage system (FESS) is provided. Implementation of such a system entails designing an FESS rim that is highly failure resistant, and designing the FESS such that if one, some, or even all of its components fail, they are physically prevented from accumulating and releasing enough energy to cause rim burst, thus leaving the rim intact and capable of safely remaining spinning even after one or more FESS component failures have occurred.

Abstract: In a rotor assembly having a rotor supported for rotation by magnetic bearings, a processor controlled by software or firmware controls the generation of force vectors that position the rotor relative to its bearings in a “bounce” mode in which the rotor axis is displaced from the principal axis defined between the bearings and a “tilt” mode in which the rotor axis is tilted or inclined relative to the principal axis. Waveform driven perturbations are introduced to generate force vectors that excite the rotor in either the “bounce” or “tilt” modes.

Abstract: A magnetic controlled loading device in combination of a power generating set and an adjusting drive mechanism having a flywheel, a shaft, a transmission element, a magnetic controlled loading device, a micro power generating set and an adjusting drive mechanism integrated into one single unit. It can also be taken apart and used in various combinations. By fully utilizing the limited space without increasing the volume of the flywheel and internal components, a rotor and a stator are disposed in the center of the magnetic controlled loading device. This makes the rotor's permanent magnets to be set on top of the flywheel's inner ring, so that when the flywheel is in operation, it turns into a micro power generating set. By utilizing its self generating power supply, it can provide the power needed by a small motor and by manual adjustments it can also control the changes in magnetic flux density between the flywheel and device as well to achieve continuous adjustment of loading resistance.

Abstract: A rise in temperature of magneto coils can be suppressed, thereby improving the electrical efficiency, service life and reliability thereof. A flywheel (3) has a cylindrical portion (4), and is rotatable about an axis of rotation A—A. A plurality of magnets (7) are mounted on an inner peripheral surface of the flywheel (3) so as to rotate therewith. A stator core (10) has a plurality of teeth (12) protruded outwardly in a diametral direction, and is disposed in opposition to the magnets (7). Conductive wires are wound around the teeth (12), respectively, to form magneto coils (11). The stator core (10) has a laminated core (15) formed of a plurality of magnetic sheet steel plates laminated one over another, and a pair of end plates (16, 17) disposed so as to sandwich opposite side surfaces of the laminated core (15). At least one of the pair of end plates (16, 17) is made of aluminum whose heat radiation is higher than the magnetic sheet steel plates.

Abstract: A magneto generator for self-powered apparatuses; the magneto generator comprises a stator provided with an electric winding, and a permanent magnet rotor coaxially arranged to the stator. The stator and the rotor have a first, and respectively a second pole system which together with the electric winding define a multiphase electromagnetic system connected to a bridge rectifier, secured to the stator. The poles of the stator and the poles of the rotor have opposite polar surfaces in which the axis of each polar surface of the rotor, is slanted with respect to a reference line parallel to the longitudinal axes of the polar surfaces of the stator.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system includes a shaft, one or more primary bearing assemblies, and one or more secondary bearing assemblies. A secondary bearing control circuit determines the operability of the primary bearing assemblies and, based on this determination, selectively engages the secondary bearing assemblies to rotationally support the flywheel shaft.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system that includes a power connector extending through the flywheel housing assembly and is hermetically sealed thereto. A circuit board, on which is mounted at least a motor/controller circuit, is coupled to the power connector adjacent to the flywheel housing assembly.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing control device that can operate a motor with low noise, has a simple system construction and is compact and inexpensive comprises: at least a pair of opposed electromagnets for supporting a suspended unit without contact; a motor M for rotating the suspended unit; and a controller for driving and controlling them. A DC/DC converter 13 supplies a driving power to an inverter 14 for driving the motor M. The inverter 14 for driving the motor M uses both PWM and PAM control schemes to drive and rotate the motor M.

Abstract: An electromechanical battery having an annular rotor structure with magnetic levitation components integrally mounted in the rotor structure providing a passive levitation system in conjunction with a central core having permanent magnet elements mounted thereon, eliminating the need for the shaft and hub typically used on such devices. The rotor structure and central core are disposed in an evacuated housing. The rotor comprises a composite core wrapped with one or more layers of high-strength composite filaments, wherein the first layer is wrapped over the composite core in a continuous filament spiral-wound pattern, the second layer is wound in the same pattern, but in a counter-rotating direction and the third layer is wound in sequential planes radial to the axis of the rotor. Preferably, the closed-circuit conductive coils are embedded in the rotor structure and the magnet elements are configured in a Halbach Array.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a vehicle having a generator. The apparatus includes a rotational shaft having a longitudinal axis, a stator having a core and windings disposed on the core, and a rotor coupled to the shaft. The core includes first and second surfaces at least partially surrounding the longitudinal axis. A portion of the first inner surface is disposed a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis, and a portion of the second inner surface is disposed a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis. The second radial distance is greater than the first radial distance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting force, in particular an impetus, by magnetic interaction. Thereby, a plurality of supports are fitted with one or more magnets and rotatably supported by bearing means. Each support is connected to one or more freewheel means, i.e. freewheeling bearings, so that each support can be put into rotation or motion, about an axis of rotation or along a straight or curved path in only one direction. Also, each support is fitted with one or more individual magnets in a predetermined arrangement. A plurality of such supports are arranged at a distance relative to one another in such a way that an impetus transmitted to a first support is transmitted by this first support to an adjacent second support by magnetic interaction, is transmitted by said second support to the third support adjacent said second support, and so on.

Abstract: A multiphase motor comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic stator core segments, the core segments being substantially uniformly spaced around an axis of rotation and isolated from direct contact with each other. Each core segment forms at least one pair of poles having coils wound thereon to form a phase winding. Each stator phase winding is configured with a topology different from the topology of each of the other phase windings. Each phase winding has a different total number of coils from one or more of the other phase windings. Each phase winding comprises coils of a gauge different from the coil gauge of one or more of the other phase windings. Preferably, all of the phase windings have substantially the same total coil mass.

Abstract: A tool for aligning a stator with respect to a crankshaft of a hybrid vehicle is provided. The tool comprises a central hub, a plurality of alignment members, and an actuating device. The central hub has a mating surface configured to secure the central hub to the crankshaft. The alignment members are configured to engage the stator and are slideably mated with the central hub for movement between a first position and a second position. The actuating device moves the plurality of alignment members between the first and second positions. The second position is further away from the crankshaft than the first position. The stator is moved to an aligned position with respect to the crankshaft when the aligning members are at the second position.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage system has a tubular cylindrical steel flywheel rim that spins, with a peripheral speed greater than 200 meters per second in normal, fully charged operation, about a vertical axis inside an evacuated chamber for energy storage and retrieval. The steel rim is heat treated to a tensile yield strength greater than 100 ksi and plane strain fracture toughness in the hoop direction greater than 70 ksi(in)1/2. A motor generator is coupled to the flywheel for accelerating the angular velocity of the flywheel for storage of energy, and for converting angular inertial of the flywheel back into electrical energy. The motor/generator may include an assembly of permanent magnet pieces substantially filling the circumference of the inner diameter of the flywheel rim.

Abstract: An energy storage flywheel system that includes a power connector extending through the flywheel housing assembly and is hermetically sealed thereto. A circuit board, on which is mounted at least a motor/controller circuit, is coupled to the power connector adjacent to the flywheel housing assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flywheel system with a variable speed synchronous reluctance motor-generator and a variable speed permanent magnet generator for providing backup power. The flywheel system incorporates rotating elements supported by electromagnetic bearings. Electric power provided by the backup generator maintains electromagnetic bearing operation during that portion of the coast down period when shaft speed falls below the minimum required for operation of the synchronous reluctance motor-generator.

Abstract: In a brushless direct-current drive with a synchronous motor (10), which has a stator (12) that supports a multi-phase stator winding (15) and a rotor (13) equipped with permanent magnet poles (20), and with a switch unit (11), which precedes the stator winding (15), for commutating the stator winding (15), in order to produce a fail-silent behavior, a field excitation winding (21) is disposed in the rotor (13), which winding can be supplied with current in the event of a malfunction so that it generates a magnetic flux oriented in the opposite direction from the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet poles (20).

Abstract: A flywheel uninterruptible power supply includes a solid steel cylindrical flywheel levitated for rotation about a vertical axis at tip speeds greater than 250 m/s on magnetic bearings in a low pressure housing. The cylindrical flywheel has a length L and a diameter D, wherein L/D≧1.0. A motor/generator attached to said flywheel accelerates the flywheel and maintains it at operating speed for storage of energy; and decelerates the flywheel for retrieval of the stored energy. The flywheel inertia section operates with a maximum stress of greater than 60% and less than 80% of the material yield stress when spinning at fully charged operating speed. The flywheel is constructed from steel with an ultimate strength greater 150 ksi and a toughness greater than 100 ksi (in)^1/2. The flywheel is a solid steel cylinder that is hardened to centerline structure throughout the axial thickness of the large diameter portion that is greater than 40% martensite.