Evaluation of selected drive components for a flywheel powered commuter vehicle. Phase I. Final report

Technical Report · Thu Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5189545· OSTI ID:5189545

The results of tests performed to evaluate the performance of selected high-speed flywheel bearings and shaft seals are reported, and work performed on the development of a high-speed composite flywheel rotor is described. The overall program objective is to develop a composite flywheel system for primary energy storage in a flywheel powered vehicle. These initial tests were intended to evaluate the performance of full-size composite rotor elements, high-speed bearings and shaft seals for that system under conditions simulating as closely as possible those anticipated in a finished vehicle. Performance of the angular contact ball bearings is reported to be satisfactory at all speeds; a simplified lubrication system is recommended for second generation hardware. Performance of the ferrofluidic shaft seals is reported to be marginal, as they failed to hold a hard vacuum at the maximum design speed. Several concepts for improved seals are offered for second generation hardware. The test objectives for the high-speed composite flywheel rotor were not achieved due to dynamic instability problems with the test hardware. Recommendations are offered for the design of second generation hardware, and a scope of activities is proposed for the second phase of this program.

• Research Organization: LMC Corp., Sparks, NV (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 5189545
• Report Number(s): SAN/1164-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250500 -- Energy Storage-- Flywheels
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
330500* -- Advanced Propulsion Systems-- Flywheel Propulsion
AUTOMOBILES
BALL BEARINGS
BEARINGS
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DESIGN
ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEEL ENERGY STORAGE
FLYWHEELS
LUBRICATION
MACHINE PARTS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
ROTORS
SEALS
SHAFTS
STORAGE
TESTING
VEHICLES