Nested-rotor open-core flywheel
Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for incorporating a plurality of independently rotating rotors made from high-strength materials with a high-temperature superconductive (HTS) bearing technology into an open-core flywheel architecture to achieve a desired high energy density in the flywheel energy storage devices and to obtain superior results and performance.
1. A flywheel assembly for storing and releasing energy comprising:
a substantially cylindrical rotor assembly within a vacuum chamber, said assembly comprising a plurality of rotors, each rotor having an inner and outer surface and each rotor having a different radius;
at least one stator assembly, each stator assembly in close proximity with a rotor assembly;
at least one rotor magnet affixed to the inner surface of each rotor;
at least one stator magnet affixed to each stator; and
a high temperature superconducting bearing in communication with the rotor and stator assemblies;
wherein the rotor magnet and stator magnet are positioned relative to one another to facilitate levitation of the rotor during operation.
2. The flywheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises an open-core architecture.
3. The flywheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotors comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: graphite, E-glass, S-glass, silica, aluminum, titanium, steel and combinations thereof.
4. The flywheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotors are made from a material comprising carbon nanotube-containing materials.
5. The flywheel assembly of claim 4 , wherein the rotors comprise a single-walled carbon nanotube-containing material.
6. The flywheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein a first rotor rotates in a first direction and a second rotor rotates in a second direction.
7. The flywheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises three rotors having varying radii, and wherein two rotors rotate in a first direction, and a third rotor rotates in a second direction.
8. The flywheel assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises rotors having varied dimensions, the dimensions preselected to substantially negate angular momentum.
9. A method for storing energy for subsequent release upon demand comprising the steps of:
providing a substantially cylindrical rotor assembly within a vacuum chamber, said assembly comprising a plurality of rotors, each rotor having an inner and outer surface and each rotor having a different radius;
providing at least one stator assembly, each stator assembly in close proximity with a rotor assembly;
providing at least one of rotor magnet affixed to the inner surface of each rotor;
providing at least one of stator magnet affixed to each stator;
providing a high temperature superconducting bearing in communication with the rotor and stator assemblies;
applying a current to the stator assemblies to rotate the rotor assembly to a predetermined speed of from about 300 m/s to about 3000 m/s; and
positioning the rotor magnet and stator magnet relative to one another to facilitate levitation of the rotor during operation.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises an open-core architecture.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the rotors comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: graphite, E-glass, S-glass, silica, aluminum, titanium, steel and combinations thereof.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the rotors are made from a carbon nanotube-containing material.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the carbon nanotube-containing material comprises a single-walled carbon nanotube-containing material.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein a first rotor rotates in a first direction and a second rotor rotates in a second direction.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises three rotors having varying radii, and wherein two rotors rotate in a first direction, and a third rotor rotates in a second direction.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises rotors having varied dimensions, and the dimensions are preselected to substantially negate angular momentum.
17. An energy storage system comprising the flywheel assembly of claim 1 .
18. A vehicle comprising the flywheel assembly of claim 1 .