초록 ▼

One or more permanent magnets, or one or more permanent magnet arrays are used to produce shear force levitation. A primary application of shear force levitators is a levitated ring energy storage device. Such a levitated ring energy storage device includes a round support structure having a first m

One or more permanent magnets, or one or more permanent magnet arrays are used to produce shear force levitation. A primary application of shear force levitators is a levitated ring energy storage device. Such a levitated ring energy storage device includes a round support structure having a first magnetic levitator or levitator array encircling its outer periphery, and a ring encircling the support structure and having a second magnetic levitator or levitator array encircling its inner periphery, such that the first and second magnetic levitators (or levitator arrays) interact to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A levitated ring energy storage device, comprising:a round support structure having at least a first magnetic stationary levitator encircling its outer periphery; and a ring encircling the support structure and having at least a first magnetic ring levitator encircling its inner periphery, the st

1. A levitated ring energy storage device, comprising:a round support structure having at least a first magnetic stationary levitator encircling its outer periphery; and a ring encircling the support structure and having at least a first magnetic ring levitator encircling its inner periphery, the stationary and ring levitators interacting to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring. 2. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein each of the stationary and ring levitators has a rotating magnetization.3. The energy storage device recited in claim 2, wherein each of the stationary and ring levitators comprises adjacent discrete bands arranged vertically, the polarity of each band being rotated in a common direction with respect to a preceding band.4. The energy storage device recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one magnetic stationary levitator comprises discrete bands having polarities rotating in a first direction, andwherein the at least one magnetic ring levitator comprises discrete bands having polarities rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction. 5. The energy storage device recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one magnetic ring levitator is optimized to reduce size and cost relative to the at least one magnetic stationary levitator array.6. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein each of the stationary and ring levitators is a Halbach array.7. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure is an inner wall of a containment vessel, andwherein the containment vessel further comprises an outer wall encircling the ring. 8. The energy storage device recited in claim 7, wherein the containment vessel may be evacuated.9. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic stationary levitator is continuous around the support structure, andwherein the at least one magnetic ring levitator is continuous around the ring. 10. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic stationary levitator is embedded in the support structure.11. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one magnetic ring levitator is embedded in the ring.12. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure further has at least a second magnetic stationary levitator encircling its outer periphery, andwherein the ring further has at least a second magnetic ring levitator encircling its inner periphery, the second stationary and ring levitators interacting to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring. 13. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure further has vertical and lateral stabilization coils encircling its outer periphery, andwherein the ring further has a magnetic stabilizer encircling its inner periphery, the vertical stabilization coils and the magnetic stabilizer interacting to vertically stabilize the ring, and the lateral stabilization coils and the magnetic stabilizer interacting to laterally stabilize the ring. 14. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the vertical stabilization coils comprise a single coil encircling the support structure in opposition to the magnetic stabilizer.15. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the vertical stabilization coils comprise a plurality of coils arranged around the periphery of the support structure in opposition to the magnetic stabilizer.16. The energy storage device recited in claim 15, wherein the respective vertical stabilization coils are individually connected to a controller for providing active vertical stabilization by energizing the respective vertical stabilization coils in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.17. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the lateral stabilization coils comprise a plurality of voice coils arranged around the periphery of the support structure in opposition to the magnetic stabilizer.18. The energy storage device recited in claim 17, wherein corresponding voice coils at opposite sides of the support structure are cross-wired to provide passive lateral stabilization.19. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the lateral stabilization coils are connected to a controller for providing active lateral stabilization by energizing the respective lateral stabilization coils in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.20. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the vertical stabilization coils are connected to a controller for providing active vertical stabilization by energizing the vertical stabilization coils in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.21. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the magnetic stabilizer is continuous around the ring.22. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the magnetic stabilizer comprises an magnetic stabilizer array comprises adjacent discrete bands arranged vertically, the polarity of each band being rotated in a common direction with respect to a preceding band.23. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein one of the at least one magnetic ring levitators is disposed near a vertical center of the ring, and first and second magnetic stabilizers are disposed near respective ends of the ring.24. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein one of the at least one magnetic ring levitators is disposed near a first end of the ring, and the magnetic stabilizer is disposed near a second end of the ring.25. The energy storage device recited in claim 13, wherein the lateral stabilization coil comprises a superconducting material maintained in a superconducting state by a cooling system.26. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure further has at least one vertical stabilization coil and lateral stabilization coils encircling its outer periphery and disposed between one of the at least one magnetic stationary levitators and a corresponding one of the at least one magnetic ring levitators, the at least one vertical stabilization coil and the magnetic ring levitator interacting to vertically stabilize the ring, and the lateral stabilization coils and the magnetic ring levitator interacting to laterally stabilize the ring.27. The energy storage device recited in claim 26, wherein the at least one vertical stabilization coil comprises a single coil encircling the support structure in opposition to the magnetic ring levitator.28. The energy storage device recited in claim 26, wherein the at least one vertical stabilization coil comprises a plurality of coils arranged around the periphery of the support structure in opposition to the magnetic ring levitator.29. The energy storage device recited in claim 28, wherein the respective vertical stabilization coils are individually connected to a controller for providing active vertical stabilization by energizing the respective vertical stabilization coils in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.30. The energy storage device recited in claim 27, wherein the lateral stabilization coils comprise a plurality of voice coils arranged around the periphery of the support structure in opposition to one of the at least one magnetic ring levitators.31. The energy storage device recited in claim 30, wherein corresponding voice coils at opposite sides of the support structure are cross-wired to provide passive lateral stabilization.32. The energy storage device recited in claim 27, wherein the lateral stabilization coils are connected to a controller for providing active lateral stabilization by energizing the respective lateral stabilization coils in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.33. The energy storage device recited in claim 27, wherein the vertical stabilization coil is connected to a controller for providing active vertical stabilization by energizing the vertical stabilization coil in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.34. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure further has motor/generator coils encircling its outer periphery, andwherein the ring further has a magnetic motor/generator array encircling its inner periphery in opposition to the motor/generator coils. 35. The energy storage device recited in claim 34, wherein the motor/generator coils are connected to a controller for providing active lateral stabilization by energizing the respective motor/generator coils in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.36. The energy storage device recited in claim 34, wherein the support structure further has at least a first and second magnetic stationary levitator encircling its outer periphery,wherein the ring further has at least a second magnetic ring levitator encircling its inner periphery, the second stationary and ring levitators interacting to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring, wherein the magnetic motor/generator array is located at approximately a vertical center of the ring, wherein the first and second magnetic ring levitators are located adjacent to and at opposing sides of the magnetic motor/generator array, and wherein the ring further has a second magnetic stabilizer encircling its inner periphery, the first and second magnetic stabilizers being disposed near respective ends of the ring. 37. The energy storage device recited in claim 34, wherein the motor/generator array is disposed near a first end of the ring, andwherein the at least one magnetic ring levitator is disposed near a second end of the ring. 38. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, further comprising centering springs extending from the inner periphery of the ring to a central axle.39. The energy storage device recited in claim 38, wherein the centering springs comprise carbon fiber.40. The energy storage device recited in claim 38, wherein the centering springs are connected to the ring using a connector having a higher density than the ring.41. The energy storage device recited in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises segments supported by respective actuators for moving the segments radially.42. The energy storage device recited in claim 41, wherein the actuators are controlled by a controller for moving the segments in accordance with signals from gap sensors provided on the support structure.43. The energy storage device recited in claim 41, wherein each of the segments is supported by three individually moveable actuators for changing a radius of curvature of the corresponding segment.44. A method of energy storage, comprising energizing motor/generator coils encircling a support structure having at least one magnetic stationary levitator encircling its outer periphery and having a ring encircling the support structure, the ring having at least one magnetic ring levitator encircling its inner periphery, the stationary and ring levitators interacting to produce a vertical force that levitates the ring, and the ring further having a magnetic motor/generator array encircling its inner periphery in opposition to the motor/generator coils, wherein energizing the motor/generator coils accelerates rotation of the ring around the support structure.45. A method of fabricating a levitated ring energy storage device, comprising:constructing a round support structure having at least one magnetic stationary levitator and motor/generator coils encircling its outer periphery; assembling a mandrel around the support structure; forming at least one magnetic ring levitator and a magnetic motor/generator at an outer periphery of the mandrel; levitating the mandrel by a vertical force produced through interaction of the stationary and ring levitators such that the magnetic motor/generator opposes the motor/generator coils; and wrapping a ring material around the mandrel while spinning the mandrel. 46. The method recited in claim 45, wherein the mandrel is spun by energizing the motor coils.47. The method recited in claim 45, wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of segments supported by respective actuators for moving the segments in a radial direction, andwherein the mandrel is assembled around the support structure while the segments are in a retracted position. 48. The method recited in claim 45, wherein the ring material comprises a fiber material and an adhesive material.