Project Title:

Flywheel Energy Storage for Electromechanical Actuation Systems

10.01-0540
901027
Flywheel Energy Storage for Electromechanical Actuation Systems

Abstract:

The innovation is a flywheel energy storage system designed specifically to provide
load-leveling in an advanced launch system (ALS) employing electromechanical actuators
(EMA). One of the major advantages of an EMA system implementation is the significant
reduction in total energy consumed during a launch profile. Realization of this energy
reduction will, however, require localized energy storage capable of delivering the
peak power required by the EMA's. A combined flywheel-motor-generator unit which
interfaces directly to the 20 kHz power bus represents an ideal candidate for this
load-leveling. The overall objective of this project is the definition of a flywheel
energy storage system for this application. In order to accomplish this overall objective,
the project will have four specific technical objectives:  definition of the specifications
for the flywheel-motor-generator system, including  system-level trade-off analysis;
design of the flywheel rotor; design or selection of the electromechanical system
components including the motor-generator and bearings; and preliminary reliability,
safety, and failure modes and effects analyses for the baseline system.
This research will lead to a demonstration of the energy density, power density,
and efficiency of flywheel energy storage systems. A system demonstration will show
that flywheel technology is viable for commercial applications rather than a research
laboratory curiosity. The individual component technologies for a flywheel energy
storage system, such as the motor-generator, will also be applicable to many other
power systems applications.
electromechanical actuation, advanced launch system, energy storage, flywheel