Oak Ridge Flywheel Evaluation Laboratory test report on the Garrett AiResearch Flywheel

Technical Report · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:6806185

Steele, R S; Babelay, E F

The high-energy-density Flywheel G-1, bulit by Garrett AiResearch Manufacturing Company, was tested with only minor deviations from the test plan. Dimensional measurements were made within two weeks after receiving the part and were repeated after Run 9. The graphite-epoxy-composite spokes began to splinter in four tip locations after the sixth balance run to 200 Hz (12,000 rpm). Testing was continued until a catastrophic failure was achieved. The spoke splintering did not appear to be a factor in the ultimate capability. Maximum stored energy was 1.16 kWh (4.17 MJ) at 74.6 Wh/kg (269 kJ/kg) at 463 rps (27,780 rpm). Ultimate speed was limited by a dynamic instability at 463 rps. Actual failure occurred in a braking mode at 390 rps. Other observations of dynamic behavior included the mass eccentricity shifting repeatably with speed at a rate of 0.051 mm in 170 Hz; this action was attributed to nonuniform flexing of the rim. A permanent balance shift of approximately 0.051 mm occurred, possibly indicating a slippage of the rim relative to the hub. Radiography shows that the rims realigned themselves. Finally, the channels in the hub proved very difficult to outgas and required extremely long pump-down times to achieve the specified 10-/sup 3/-torr chamber pressure.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6806185
• Report Number(s): Y/DX-227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250500* -- Energy Storage-- Flywheels
CARBON
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
DATA
ELEMENTS
ENERGY DENSITY
EPOXIDES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FAILURES
FLYWHEELS
GRAPHITE
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL ENERGY STORAGE EQUIPMENT
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE TESTING
TESTING