Abstract: A plurality of circumferentially spaced, compliant, braided metal filament brushes are mounted by the stator of an acyclic generator for extension from the stator collector surface across the liquid metal collector gap into virtual contact with the rotor collector surface. These brushes are each of an axial length corresponding to the axially lengths of the stator and rotor conductive collector surfaces and serve to effectively block the magnetohydrodynamically induced, counter-rotational, circumferential flow of liquid metal in the collector gap, thus eliminating the component of viscous rotor drag otherwise occasioned thereby.

Abstract: To minimize the effects of magnetohydrodynamic surge forces acting on the liquid metal in the collector gap of an acyclic generator, fluid flow impedance members in the form of annular, axially spaced compliant brushes are disposed in the outboard liquid metal containment gap defined between closely spaced, stator and rotor stepped surface formations. These brushes impede the communication to the liquid metal in this containment gap of pressure fluctuations generated in the liquid metal in the collector gap resulting from variations in the generator current transiting the collector gap. A hydrostatic pressure head may thus be maintained consistently at a location intermediate the collector and containment gaps for pumping the liquid metal in a recirculating path.

Abstract: A constant supply of liquid metal for a current collector of an acyclic machine is provided by passing armature current radially through a quantity of liquid metal disposed in an annular pumping channel formed between a compliant braided metal filament brush and the stator ring collector surface. A flow restricting plug causes pressure to develop in the circumferentially flowing liquid metal to maintain a constant film of liquid metal in contact with the rotor collector ring and the brush to complete electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: An active shield is attached to an acyclic machine surrounding stacks of interleaved rotor and stator disks and axially aligned with the main excitation coil disposed within the rotor shaft. The active shield surrounds the magnetic disks of the rotor and stator to interact with the magnetic flux field of the main excitation coil to limit flux density outside the stator to predetermined levels. The active shield may be energized alone to provide emergency operation of the machine. The coil acting as the shield is excited to have a polarity opposite that of the main excitation coil, so that outside the active shield the magnetic fields tend to cancel.

Abstract: A constant supply of liquid metal for current collectors in an electrodynamic machine is provided by passing armature current radially through a quantity of liquid metal disposed in a circumferential groove in the stator and passing field flux generated by the machine field coil axially through said liquid metal disposed in said groove to act as a pump to circulate said liquid metal. In a disk-type acyclic machine, passages within each stator disk direct a flow of liquid metal from said quantity disposed in said groove in a generally radial direction to maintain a continuous supply of liquid metal to a current collector disposed about the radially-inner surface of said stator disk. Axial passages provide a continuous supply of liquid metal axially from said groove to a current collector disposed axially adjacent said stator disk.

Abstract: A sodium-sulfur battery including sodium and sulfur separated by a beta-alumina tube is disclosed herein along with a method of operating the battery utilizing a sodium storage and dispensing arrangement. This storage and dispensing arrangement includes a housing containing a supply of sodium out of contact with the beta-alumina tube and a thermally responsive bimetallic valve for passing sodium from its supply housing into contact with the beta-alumina separating tube when the sodium is in a liquid state and so long as the average temperature along at least a predetermined section of the tube remains below a predetermined value. In the event that this average temperature reaches the predetermined value, the bimetallic valve automatically prevents passage of liquid sodium from its supply housing to the beta-alumina tube.

Abstract: An electrical current collector for an acyclic machine employs a stator collector ring which encircles a rotor collector ring and includes a plurality of fins protruding radially-inward from the stator collector ring into a plurality of compliant containment cages, respectively, each cage axially and circumferentially defining a raceway through which liquid metal flows in continuous contact with the rotor collector ring and the stator fin. The walls of the cages are made of resilient nonconductive material and when in a state of compression will exert a continuous bias toward the rotor collector ring.

Abstract: A method and means for continuously returning degassed and de-emulsified uid metal to the collector sites of high speed acyclic generators is provided. Hydrodynamic pressures developed by the high speed rotating discs are employed to pump liquid current-carrying metal through a plurality of stationary passageways into an interiorly positioned rotating cup or channel where centrifugal forces return purified metal to the collector sites and retain the impure liquid metal.

Abstract: A cross-ply composite flywheel is provided with a rim portion of circumferentially wound fibers impregnated with a binder. The density-to-stiffness ratio of the rim portion is of a value substantially less than the density-to-stiffness ratio of the cross-ply central portion of the flywheel. The strength of the flywheel is enhanced and only a minimum contribution is made to the weight of the flywheel.

Abstract: A high power density acyclic machine is described which comprises a plurality of high current density field coils, a series drum and disk arrangement using liquid metal collectors, and shielding members as armature conductor material. The machine achieves maximum flux utilization by providing a plurality of disks connected in series and intersecting the magnetic flux of the field coils, and a drum connected in series between sets of disks also intersecting the flux from the field coils.

Abstract: A constant supply of liquid metal for current collectors in a disk-type acyclic machine is provided by passageways through each stator disk extending from the region adjacent a radially-outer collector to the region adjacent a radially-inner collector. Dynamic pumping of the liquid metal in the region adjacent the outer current collectors is provided by the rotational motion of the rotor disks and by Lorentz expulsion forces acting upon the liquid metal. The openings to said passageways in the region of the outer current collectors are configured to catch a portion of the liquid metal moving with the radially-outer edge of the rotor disks and thereby apply the dynamic pressure of this portion of the liquid metal to move the liquid metal radially-inwardly. Return flow is accommodated by flow paths in the stator separate from those provided for inward flow.

Abstract: An offset or asymmetrical self-contained liquid metal current collector for cyclic or homopolar electrical generators or motors is provided which includes a narrow annular volume on one side and a wide annular volume on the other side of the collector disc. Selectively positioned circular troughs effectively communicate with each other so that the liquid metal is trapped and retained when the rotating speed of the disc is too low to centrifugally maintain the liquid metal at the outer periphery of the disc.

Abstract: An electrical current collector for an acyclic machine employs a rotor collector ring encircled by a stator collector ring to which a compliant brush of electrically conductive filaments is attached. The gap between rotor collector ring and stator collector ring, including brush interstices, is flooded with liquid metal which is drawn around the rotor collector ring periphery when rotation begins. A thin film of liquid metal on the brush makes sliding contact with the rotor collector ring, enhancing conductivity between the rotor and stator collector rings through the brush filaments.

Abstract: Cryogenic liquid coolant for cooling the rotor of a superconducting generator is deposited on the inner surface of a rotating conduit extending within the rotor, forming an annulus of liquid surrounding a vapor core. The liquid coolant from the rotating tube is transferred to two radial tubes in the rotor and, upon emerging therefrom, splashes on the surface of a pool of coolant bathing the rotor windings. Evaporated coolant is returned from the rotor in separate streams from the driven end and the collector end, allowing cooling of the driven and collector ends to be equalized by independently controlling flow of the returning streams.

Abstract: An electrical current collector for an acyclic machine employs a stator collector ring which encircles a rotor collector ring and includes a plurality of fins protruding radially-inward into a plurality of cage sectors, respectively, each cage sector axially defining a raceway through which liquid metal flows in continuous contact with both collector rings. The cage sectors are spring-biased toward the rotor collector ring but maintained out of contact therewith by circumferentially abutted spacing means and by liquid metal which fills the entire region between the rotor collector ring and each cage sector. The liquid metal in the raceway conducts current between the rotor collector ring and each cage sector.

Abstract: Cryogenic liquid coolant for cooling the rotor of a superconducting generator is deposited on the inner surface of a rotating conduit extending within the rotor, forming an annulus of liquid surrounding a vapor core. The liquid coolant from the rotating tube is transferred to two radial tubes in the rotor and, upon emerging therefrom, splashes on the surface of a pool of coolant bathing the rotor windings. Evaporated coolant is returned from the rotor in separate streams from the driven end and the collector end, allowing cooling of the driven and collector ends to be equalized by independently controlling flow of the returning streams. The liquid coolant supply pressure determines the position of the coolant pool surface in the rotor.

Abstract: Separation of gas from an emulsion of gas and liquid metal in an acyclic machine is achieved during high speed machine operation, without removing the emulsion from the current collector vicinity, by allowing the emulsion to flow into a central fluid chamber situated radially inward of the current collector gap. Rotation of the central fluid chamber centrifugally separates the entrained gas from the liquid metal. The liquid metal thus freed of gas is returned to the collector gap.

Abstract: A flywheel comprises a plurality of overlying fiber layers embedded in a monolithic matrix of binder material. The fibers of each layer are parallel to each other and extend in radial and chordal directions. The fibers of each successive layer are oriented at a single predetermined angle to those of a preceding adjacent layer such that at least four layers of fibers are disposed between any two layers in which the fibers of both such layers extend substantially parallel to each other. By this structure, the flywheel of the present invention is made to exhibit a high strength-to-weight ratio, the centrifugal force generated by the flywheel, when spinning, being accommodated by the fibers along the axial direction of each fiber.

Abstract: A composite flywheel is shown with concave or conical shapes or combination thereof. Upon rotation at a predetermined speed, the surfaces of the flywheel tend to flatten with a resultant increase in radius measured from the axis of rotation. Such an increase in radius while permitting the disc to flatten has the effect of substantially eliminating radial stresses within the flywheel. A method of forming such a flywheel from commercially available preimpregnated fiber or tapes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Separation of gas from an emulsion of gas and liquid metal in an acyclic machine is achieved during high speed machine operation, without removing the emulsion from the current collector vicinity, by allowing the emulsion to flow into a central fluid chamber situated radially inward of the current collector gap. Rotation of the central fluid chamber centrifugally separates the entrained gas from the liquid metal. The liquid metal thus freed of gas is returned to the collector gap.