Apparatus and method for magnetically unloading a rotor bearing
US10995820B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 28, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 7, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E60/16
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flywheel apparatus that magnetically unloads a top rotor bearing is described. The apparatus includes a flywheel housing, a rotor with a vertical axis of rotation that includes a magnetic material, a magnet configured to apply a desired upward off-loading force along the vertical axis of rotation, an upper bearing connected to an upper shaft of the rotor, and a bearing housing disposed between the upper bearing and the flywheel housing that substantially prevents downward axial motion of the upper bearing. The magnet includes an electromagnet. A force sensor is used to measure a force on the upper bearing which is provided as input to a controller that updates the current to the electromagnet. The rotor is maintained in a fixed axial position and a spring disposed below a lower bearing absorbs axial dimension growth of the rotor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.