Spin testing of flywheel bearings and seals. Test report

Technical Report · Thu Sep 30 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:5730091

Wildermuth, D A

The flywheel bearings and seals testing performed at LMC Corporation during the months of June, July, and August 1976 is documented. The overall program objective is to develop a light-weight fiber-composite flywheel system for use in flywheel powered vehicle. These initial tests were performed to evaluate the performance of high-speed bearings and seals for that system under conditions simulating as closely as possible those anticipated in the finished vehicle. Spin tests were conducted under full load conditions at speeds up to the design maximum of 41,000 rpm. Drag torque and temperature rise measurements were made continuously during these tests. Vacuum integrity of the seals was monitored. Results are summarized. The performance of the angular contact ball bearings was completely satisfactory; however, the original pressurized oil-jet lubrication system was found to deliver excessive quantities of lubricant. A simple wick feed air-oil mist lubrication system is proposed for second generation hardware. The performance of the centrifugal ferrofluidic seals was unsatifactory as they did not withstand adequate pressure differentials although their drag torque was quite low. performance of the conventional ferrofluidic seals was marginal. Their drag torque was acceptable; however, their sealing integrity above 38,000 rpm was not adequate. For second generation hardware, a unitized bearing/seal cartridge is proposed. This would combine a duplex pair of bearings and a hydrid seal on a short hollow shaft with a self-contained wick feed or magnetic fluid lubrication system. Use of such a cartridge would simplify assembly, produce greater shaft rigidity, permit better control of the critical seal clearances, and should produce better sealing integrity over the entire speed range.

• Research Organization: LMC Corp., Sparks, NV (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76CS51164
• OSTI ID: 5730091
• Report Number(s): LMC-760901-A; ON: DE82004235
• 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
BEARINGS
DATA
DESIGN
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLYWHEEL-POWERED VEHICLES
FLYWHEELS
INFORMATION
LEAKS
LUBRICATION
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
NUMERICAL DATA
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
SEALS
TESTING
VEHICLES