SBIR Phase I: Semi-active magnetic bearing for flywheel energy storage systems

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是实施一种高效率，低功耗的磁轴承，这将使高速飞轮储能系统（FESS）的成功开发用于空间和地面应用。FESS是一种机械电池，克服了锂离子电池的一些局限性，例如随着时间的推移能量容量的损失以及对严格温度控制的需求。在太空中，FESS可以减少与电池组相关的总质量，并延长低地球轨道（LEO）卫星的使命寿命。在地球上，FESS可以接管一些需要在短时间内提供高功率的应用，例如电动汽车充电站或医院备用电源。最终，FESS将有助于缓解对锂离子电池的需求，同时提供可靠，持久的能量存储。这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将证明将拟议的磁轴承集成到碳纤维飞轮中的可行性。这项任务的复杂性来自于使用不同的制造工艺制造飞轮的三个主要部分（复合材料轮辋，金属芯和磁铁）。需要保护磁性材料，因为它们无法承受FESS的高速。降低这一制造过程的风险对于继续开发这一技术和扩大规模至关重要。另一个挑战是FESS的高速预计会在卫星机动期间引起高陀螺扭矩。因此，研究增加轴承刚度的方法（例如，通过改变磁体尺寸和位置，或修改线圈形状），同时通过数值模型评估陀螺仪扭矩的影响，将是至关重要的。最后，磁轴承具有能够使飞轮倾斜（在其间隙公差内）的显著特征，而不需要外部万向节致动器。这一特点可能使该技术被用于双重目的，其影响将在系统层面上进行调查。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to implement a high-efficiency, low-power magnetic bearing that will enable the successful development of high-speed flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) both for space and terrestrial applications. FESS are mechanical batteries that overcome some of the limitations of lithium-ion batteries, such as the loss of energy capacity over time and the need for stringent temperature control. In space, FESS could reduce the overall mass associated with the battery pack and extend the mission life of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. On earth, FESS can take over some of the applications that are required to deliver high power for a short amount of time, such as electric vehicle charging stations or hospital back-up power units. Ultimately, FESS will help alleviate the demand for lithium-ion batteries while providing reliable, long-lasting energy storage.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of integrating the proposed magnetic bearing into a carbon-fiber flywheel. The complexity of this task comes from having the three main parts of the flywheel (composite rim, metal core, and magnets) created using different manufacturing processes. The magnetic materials need to be protected as they will not withstand the high speeds of FESS. De-risking this manufacturing process is crucial in continuing the development of this technology and in scaling up. Another challenge is that the high speeds of FESS are expected to cause high gyroscopic torques during satellite maneuvers. Therefore, investigating ways to increase bearing stiffness (e.g., by changing magnet size and position, or modifying coil shape), while assessing the effect of gyroscopic torques through numerical models, will be paramount. Finally, the magnetic bearing has the distinctive feature of being able to tilt the flywheel (within its gap tolerances), without requiring an external gimbal actuator. This feature could possibly allow the technology to be used for dual purposes, and its implications will be investigated at a system level.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.