Harlow G Ahlstrom

US Patent:

57605068, Jun 2, 1998

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/472667

Inventors:

Harlow G. Ahlstrom - Maple Valley WA
Michael Chapman - Federal Way WA
Michael J. Graves - Seattle WA
Thomas S. Luhman - Bellevue WA
Thomas D. Martin - Bellevue WA
Paul D. Nedervelt - Seattle WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H02K 702
H02K 709

US Classification:

310 74

Abstract:

A flywheel system suitable for storing energy when demand for energy from a power plant is low, and from which energy can be retrieved when energy demand increases. The flywheel includes (a) a circular composite or metallic glass ring with a radial width limited to less than about 30 percent of the ring's outer radius, and (b) at least one spoke extending along a diameter of the ring, and attached to the ring at either end. The spoke has sufficient radial extendability due to either bending and elastic radial elongation, or only elastic elongation so that, when the flywheel rotates at operating speed, the spoke extends radially to match the radial growth of the ring, without subjecting the flywheel to significant tension at points of attachment of the spoke to the ring. In one embodiment, both flywheel ring and spoke are made of oriented high strength fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin. Also provided are a magnetic bearing and motor/generator system that are of an axial-gap design so that magnets are held in a substantially fixed position relative to each other, as the flywheel expands radially under centrifugal forces.

US Patent:

62115898, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Jun 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/338223

Inventors:

Harlow G. Ahlstrom - Maple Valley WA
John R. Barton - Kent WA
Thomas S. Luhman - Bellevue WA
Michael Strasik - Issaquah WA
Michael Chapman - Federal Way WA
Darryl F. Garrigus - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H02K 127
H02K 709

US Classification:

310 74

Abstract:

A flywheel system suitable for storing energy when demand for energy from a power plant is low, and from which energy can be retrieved when energy demand increases. The flywheel includes (a) a circular composite or metallic glass ring with a radial width limited to less than about 30 percent of the ring's outer radius, and (b) at least one spoke extending along a diameter of the ring, and attached to the ring at either end. The spoke has sufficient radial extendability due to either bending and elastic radial elongation, or only elastic elongation so that, when the flywheel rotates at operating speed, the spoke extends radially to match the radial growth of the ring, without subjecting the flywheel to significant tension at points of attachment of the spoke to the ring. In one embodiment, both flywheel ring and spoke are made of oriented high strength fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin. Also provided are a magnetic bearing and motor/generator system that are of an axial-gap design so that magnets are held in a substantially fixed position relative to each other, as the flywheel expands radially under centrifugal forces.