초록

An electromechanical flywheel machine includes a flywheel mass enclosed in an evacuable housing and an e×ternal gas removal train.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An electromechanical flywheel comprising: a motor-generator rotor surrounding a motor-generator stator;a flywheel mass configured to rotate with the motor-generator rotor;the flywheel mass and the motor-generator rotor located inside an evacuable housing;a gas removal train external to the evacua

1. An electromechanical flywheel comprising: a motor-generator rotor surrounding a motor-generator stator;a flywheel mass configured to rotate with the motor-generator rotor;the flywheel mass and the motor-generator rotor located inside an evacuable housing;a gas removal train external to the evacuable housing;the train including a mechanical vacuum pump and a non-mechanical gas removal device;getter material and molecular sieve material in a casing of the non-mechanical gas removal device;the train operable to fluidly couple the casing and the evacuable housing for lowering the pressure in the evacuable housing;a pressure sensor configured to sense the pressure in the evacuable housing; and,the mechanical pump configured to operate intermittently in accordance with differences between a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor and a threshold vacuum pressure level. 2. The electromechanical flywheel of claim 1 further comprising: a gas removal train flowpath extending between the evacuable housing and the mechanical vacuum pump; and,the casing in fluid communication with the flowpath via a single passageway. 3. The electromechanical flywheel of claim 2 further comprising: a gas permeable structure;the structure within the casing; and,the structure separating the getter material and the molecular sieve material. 4. The electromechanical flywheel of claim 1 further comprising: a gas removal train flowpath extending between the evacuable housing and the mechanical vacuum pump; and,the casing in fluid communication with the flowpath via first and second passageways. 5. The electromechanical flywheel of claim 4 further comprising: a casing inlet and a casing outlet;the casing inlet proximate the getter material;the casing outlet proximate the molecular sieve material; and,flow from the casing inlet to the casing outlet being urged by operation of the mechanical vacuum pump. 6. The electromechanical flywheel of claim 5 further comprising: a gas permeable structure;the structure within the casing; and,the structure separating the getter material and the molecular sieve material. 7. The electromechanical flywheel of claim 1 further comprising: a gas removal train flowpath extending between the evacuable housing and the mechanical vacuum pump;the casing in fluid communication with the flowpath via first and second passageways;a first pressure sensor sensing pressure between the evacuable housing and the non-mechanical gas removal device;a second pressure sensor sensing pressure between the non-mechanical gas removal device and the mechanical vacuum pump;a heater for heating the molecular sieve material; and,the heater configured to operate intermittently in accordance with differences between pressures sensed by the first and second pressure sensors as compared with a threshold pressure difference. 8. An electromechanical flywheel comprising: a core assembly including a motor-generator stator;a motor-generator rotor surrounding the motor-generator stator;the motor-generator stator defining an axis of rotation, having a field coil that encircles the axis of rotation, and having an armature coil that does not encircle the axis of rotation;a flywheel mass encircling the motor-generator rotor and coupled to the motor-generator rotor for rotation with the motor-generator rotor;an evacuable housing enclosing the motor-generator rotor and the flywheel mass;a gas removal train external to the evacuable housing;the train including a mechanical vacuum pump and a non-mechanical gas removal device;getter material and molecular sieve material in a casing of the non-mechanical gas removal device;the train operable to fluidly couple the casing and the evacuable housing for lowering the pressure in the evacuable housing;a pressure sensor configured to sense the pressure in the evacuable housing; and,the mechanical pump configured to operate intermittently in accordance with differences between a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor and a threshold vacuum pressure level.