Shaftless, Magnetically Levitated Flywheel Energy Storage Systems MagneMotion, Inc. Acton MA

1. Small Business Innovation Research Shaftless, Magnetically Levitated Flywheel Energy Storage SystemsMagneMotion, Inc.Acton MA Ceramic core Rotor • INNOVATION A maglev flywheel with a shaftless carbon fiber rotor that requires only one axis of active control. The shaftless design eliminates resonances over a wide operating speed range, so the flywheel is usable for both energy storage and attitude control. • ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Burst tested to 79,500 RPM. • 32% higher than design speed. • Rotor / System tested to 36,000 RPM. • Flywheel was very stable. • Bearing losses need to be examined in greater detail. COMMERCIALIZATION • Linear synchronous motors and maglev are the core of MagneMotion's business. • Applications in that arena include providing high peak power for short periods of time, something that is hard to do with batteries. Magnetic bearing Motor/generator • GOVERNMENT/SCIENCE APPLICATIONS • When used for both energy storage and attitude control the system has the potential to be lighter, more efficient and with a longer life expectance than is possible with conventional alternatives. • Results are promising but further development is required to create a mission-ready design. • MagneMotion is in negotiation with established energy storage company to team for continuation. Goddard Space Flight Center Points of Contact: NASA – Bob Beaman (301) 286-2538 MagneMotion – Richard D. Thornton (978) 461-5090 1997 Phase II, SS5- 060