Honeywell International Inc.

Todd R Giles

Paul T Wingett

Calvin C Potter

Sharon K Brault

Robbie Joseph Adams

An auxiliary bearing assembly for selectively engaging a shaft, preferably in an energy storage flywheel system, is configured to include a vibration damping seal, and an axial preload spring. The vibration damping seal damps out vibrations from the rotating group, following engagement of the auxiliary bearing assembly, while the rotating group is spinning down. The axial preload spring absorbs any differential thermal expansion or contraction that may occur between components.

Dual function, highly damped, structurally and thermally compliant auxiliary bearing assembly

A bearing for a high-speed and high-momentum rotating flywheel system for satellite or other applications that enables better recovery when unintended physical contact occurs. This better recovery is achieved through increased impact resistance and wear resistance by using a flat annulus connected to the main shaft of the primary bearing and secondary metal bearing and coating both annuli with rhenium or its alloys. Rhenium has a very high melting point but in the annealed condition is ductile so the rhenium coating is hardened to a very high strength and wear resistance but the rhenium beneath is still ductile. This combination of hard and soft material provides good wear resistance and impact resistance for those times when the primary bearing ceases to operate and contact is made with the secondary bearing.

Flywheel secondary bearing with rhenium or rhenium alloy coating

An energy storage flywheel system includes a shaft, one or more primary bearing assemblies, and one or more secondary bearing assemblies. A secondary bearing control circuit determines the operability of the primary bearing assemblies and, based on this determination, selectively engages the secondary bearing assemblies to rotationally support the flywheel shaft.

Energy storage flywheel auxiliary bearing system and method

An energy storage flywheel system that includes a power connector extending through the flywheel housing assembly and is hermetically sealed thereto. A circuit board, on which is mounted at least a motor/controller circuit, is coupled to the power connector adjacent to the flywheel housing assembly.

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Todd R Giles