Abstract: Featured is a method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly (11) of a flywheel energy storage system (10), comprising the steps of mechanically coupling a first permanent magnet (204a) to the rotor assembly (11) and fixedly positioning a second permanent magnet (204b) proximal to the first permanent magnet (204a) so that a repulsive force is generated therebetween causing the first permanent magnet (204a) to move with respect to the second permanent magnet (204b), thereby causing the rotor assembly (11) to be lifted to an operating level. The method further includes applying a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial force being generated by the permanent magnet repulsive force. Also featured is a passive-repulsive rotor assembly lift system (100) for a flywheel energy storage system (10) and a flywheel energy storage system (10) including such a repulsive rotor lift system (100).

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: 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: A permanent magnet motor assembly for use in a flywheel is disclosed, including a rotor, a stator, and a coil positioned in the stator. One or more magnets is attached to the rotor such that magnetic field lines are directed radially toward the coil for generating torque and thus driving the motor. A shield covers the magnet, preventing the magnetic flux lines from impacting a plate on the stator and causing excess heat and energy losses. The shield can be a cup or a snap-fit ring preferably made of magnetic steel which directs stray magnetic flux lines toward the rotor to be converted into useful work.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage system for supplying power to a load comprises a plurality of flywheel energy storage systems, each supplying a power output signal, and a connector circuit. The connector circuit connects the flywheel energy storage systems to the load, but the flywheel energy storage systems are not connected to each other. Each of the flywheel energy storage systems comprises a flywheel turning at an initially predetermined rate, a motor/generator coupled to the flywheel, a bi-directional inverter circuit coupled to the motor/generator and to the load, and a control circuit coupled to the motor/generator and the bi-directional inverter circuit. The control circuit controls the power output signal of the flywheel energy storage system independently of the other flywheel energy storage systems.

Abstract: An electrical energy storage system for supplying power to a load comprises a plurality of flywheel energy storage systems, each supplying a power output signal, and a connector circuit. The connector circuit connects the flywheel energy storage systems to the load, but the flywheel energy storage systems are not connected to each other. Each of the flywheel energy storage systems comprises a flywheel turning at an initially predetermined rate, a motor/generator coupled to the flywheel, a bi-directional inverter circuit coupled to the motor/generator and to the load, and a control circuit coupled to the motor/generator and the bi-directional inverter circuit. The control circuit controls the power output signal of the flywheel energy storage system independently of the other flywheel energy storage systems.

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: Featured is a method for passively-repulsively lifting a rotor assembly (11) of a flywheel energy storage system (10), comprising the steps of mechanically coupling a first permanent magnet (204a) to the rotor assembly (11) and fixedly positioning a second permanent magnet (204b) proximal to the first permanent magnet (204a) so that a repulsive force is generated therebetween causing the first permanent magnet (204a) to move with respect to the second permanent magnet (204b), thereby causing the rotor assembly (11) to be lifted to an operating level. The method further includes applying a radial force sufficient in magnitude and direction to oppose a radial force being generated by the permanent magnet repulsive force. Also featured is a passive-repulsive rotor assembly lift system (100) for a flywheel energy storage system (10) and a flywheel energy storage system (10) including such a repulsive rotor lift system (100).

Abstract: A permanent magnet motor assembly for use in a flywheel is disclosed, including a rotor, a stator, and a coil positioned in the stator. One or more magnets is attached to the rotor such that magnetic field lines are directed radially toward the coil for generating torque and thus driving the motor. A shield covers the magnet, preventing the magnetic flux lines from impacting a plate on the stator and causing excess heat and energy losses. The shield can be a cup or a snap-fit ring preferably made of magnetic steel which directs stray magnetic flux lines toward the rotor to be converted into useful work.

Abstract: A power supply device for providing uninterrupted power for a period of time is disclosed. The power supply device has a controller and a flywheel device. The flywheel device has a housing that contains a flywheel rotor and a motor/generator rotor. The flywheel rotor and the motor/generator rotor are mounted on a common shaft. An active axial magnetic bearing is located to support the shaft for frictionless rotation. The bearing provides support for the shaft, the flywheel rotor and motor/generator rotor. The axial magnetic bearing is attached to the housing and provides, in combination with the motor/generator rotor, a flux path and magnetic field to exert a magnetic force to lift the motor/generator rotor and the shaft on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A flywheel energy storage device has a central shaft, a flywheel having a flywheel rotor supported by and mounted for rotation around said shaft, and a motor/generator having a stator and a rotor. The rotor is formed integrally with the flywheel rotor. The stator has an outer cylinder that is cooled by a liquid flowing in contact with its cylindrical surface. Preferably, the stator has (i) a cylindrical hub having an outer surface and longitudinal channels formed therein, (ii) a cylinder surrounding said cylindrical hub thereby providing passages through the channels, and (iii) end caps sealing the passages and providing a distribution channel for distributing fluid to said passages, thereby providing fluid cooling passages for said stator. A radial vibration dampener can be positioned at one or both ends of the shaft. The dampener has a plurality of spring members positioned between two cylindrical surfaces, one end of each spring member being attached to each cylindrical surface.

Abstract: A flywheel controller for commutating a stator of a flywheel is disclosed wherein the flywheel controller includes a sensing unit to sense the position of a rotor and for creating a rotational signal, a control unit operatively connecting to the sensing unit for creating a command signal, and a commutator operatively connected to the controller for receiving the command signal to commutate the stator, wherein the commutator includes a pulse width modulator for controlling power from the flywheel over a first predetermined power range and a step generator for controlling power from the flywheel over a second predetermined power range.

Abstract: The present invention is an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus includes a stator that is stationary. The stator includes a winding encircling the stator for generating an output voltage. The energy storage apparatus also includes a rotor rotating relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of magnets on a surface of the rotor adjacent to the stator. The rotor and stator include a gap between the magnets and the stator. The magnets are a source for the output voltage generated in the winding. The output voltage generated is dependent on the gap and the speed of the rotor. The energy storage apparatus uses centrifugal growth to regulate the output voltage.

Abstract: A magnetoelastic magnetometer having a magnetoelastic member for placement in a magnetic field, An effect on the stiffness of the magnetoelastic member caused by the magnetic field is measured, and magnitude of the field is determined in response.

Abstract: A fixed gain electromagnetic actuator for controlling the position of a body including at least two pair of a magnetically permeable pole spaced from the body, bias coils about each pole, separate control coils about each pole, a bias source for the bias coils providing a current in the bias coils producing a steady-state equal strength magnetic field on opposing sides of a body, and a control source for the control coils providing a current in the control coils for producing an increase in the magnetic field on one side of the body and a corresponding equivalent decrease in the magnetic field on the opposing side of the body to compensate for any external upsetting forces acting on the body.

Abstract: A magnetic rotor suspension system including a magnetic rotor having a spin axis, and a generally spherical housing spaced from the rotor. The system includes means attached to the housing for applying magnetic fields to the rotor to fix its lateral and axial position relative to the housing and to adjust the angular orientation of the spin axis of the rotor relative to the housing.

Abstract: A magnetic bearing system for enabling translational motion includes a carriage and a shaft for movably supporting the carriage; a first magnetic bearing fixed to one of the carriage and shaft and slidably received in a first channel of the other of the carriage and shaft. The first channel is generally "U" shaped with two side walls and a back wall. The magnetic bearing includes a pair of spaced magnetic pole pieces, each pole piece having a pair of electromagnetic coils mounted on poles on opposite ends of the pole piece proximate the side walls, and a third electromagnetic coil mounted on a pole of the pole piece proximate the backwall; a motion sensor for sensing translational motion along two axes and rotationally about three axes of the carriage and shaft relative to each other; and a correction circuit responsive to the sensor for generating a correction signal to drive the coils to compensate for any misalignment sensed between the carriage and the shaft.

Abstract: An inertial energy storage device including a synchronous rotary electrical machine for bidirectional conversion between mechanical and electrical energy including: a stator having two axially spaced sets of circumferentially spaced teeth; field excitation means disposed on the stator to provide an axially polarized magnetic field; stator windings including a plurality of coils, each of which surrounds at least one tooth from each set; and a rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth facing the stator teeth, and a circumferential flywheel mass radially spaced from its rotational axis; and a motor control circuit including sensor means for sensing the position of the rotor relative to the stator; means, responsive to the sensor means, for generating a waveform for driving the machine when it is operating as a motor; a voltage control circuit for controlling the amplitude of the waveform for driving the machine; and a current control circuit for controlling amplitude of the current provided to t