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Recent spin tests of two composite wagon wheel flywheels

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6110107
The paper briefly discusses some observations made of spin tests performed on two variations on the Sandia wagon wheel flywheel. In one design, the graphite/epoxy rim was attached to the aluminum hub with twenty-four thin Kevlar-49/epoxy spokes, while in the other design eight thicker graphite/epoxy spokes connected the rim to the hub. The test objective was to compare the dynamic behavior of the two structurally dissimilar flywheels. The tests were limited to speeds less than 22,000 RPM and only moderate torques were applied during the acceleration phase of the tests in an attempt to detect speeds for previously predicted modes of vibration of the flywheel-spin-turbine system. Using proximity sensors, horizontal disturbances of the flywheel hub were detected for speeds less than approxiately 6,000 RPM. These disturbances are believed to be associated with predicted modes of vibration for the flywheel-spin-turbine system. No modes of vibration were sensed for the predicted possible whirl and torsional resonances in the speed range between 6,000 RPM and 22,000 RPM. A squeeze film damper assembly which was attached to the flywheel spindle shaft is believed to have sufficently dampened possible whirl modes so that they were undetectable in the speed range tested. The tests indicated that the squeeze film damper assembly successfully stabilized the flywheel-spin-turbine system when the damper functioned properly; however, low frequency retroograde instabilities were induced into the system by the damper assembly when it was not operated within prescribed parameters.
Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-C-04-0789
OSTI ID:
6110107
Report Number(s):
SAND-79-1669C
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English