초록 ▼

A flywheel energy conversion device provides highly efficient conversion between kinetic and electrical energy. The flywheel produces increased output by providing armature coils in an air gap formed about the flywheel (both radial and axial embodiments are described). In preferred embodiments, fiel

A flywheel energy conversion device provides highly efficient conversion between kinetic and electrical energy. The flywheel produces increased output by providing armature coils in an air gap formed about the flywheel (both radial and axial embodiments are described). In preferred embodiments, field coils of a magnetic circuit are energized with DC drive current that creates homopolar flux within a rotating solid rotor having teeth cut from a flat disk. The total reluctance of the magnetic circuit and total flux remain substantially constant as the rotor rotates. The flux may travel radially outward and exit the flat disk through the teeth passing across an armature air gap. Airgap armature coils are preferably utilized in which the changing flux density (due to the rotating teeth) induces an output voltage in the coils. The flux is diffused before returning to the rotor in one of several ways such that core losses are effectively reduced, thereby enabling the flywheel to operate efficiently at high frequencies.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for providing emergency power in the event of a disruption in power from a primary power source coupled to an output, said apparatus comprising:a rotatable mass that stores kinetic energy;a brushless generator having a pair of output leads, said leads being coupled to

[ We claim:] [1.] An apparatus for providing emergency power in the event of a disruption in power from a primary power source coupled to an output, said apparatus comprising:a rotatable mass that stores kinetic energy;a brushless generator having a pair of output leads, said leads being coupled to said output, and at least one field coil, said generator being coupled to said rotatable mass such that kinetic energy from said mass is converted to electrical energy and delivered to said leads when said field coil is energized by a drive signal; anda monitoring system that monitors primary power and automatically varies said drive signal to said field coil when said primary power is disrupted to maintain a substantially constant output voltage at said output.