The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 01, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2001
Christopher W. Gabrys, Reno, NV (US);
David R. Campbell, Reno, NV (US);
Indigo Energy, Inc., Napa, CA (US);
Abstract
A vacuum management and regeneration apparatus and method for operating an energy storage flywheel system having a flywheel supported by a bearing system inside an evacuated chamber enclosed within a container. A motor/generator stores and retrieves energy by accelerating and decelerating the flywheel. A vacuum is maintained in the container with a vacuum level sufficient to reduce the aerodynamic drag on the flywheel, typically between 10 Torr to 10 Torr depending on the flywheel construction and its operating tip speed. The vacuum management system, including a vacuum pump and a timer, maintains the vacuum level in the container. The timer periodically enables operation of the vacuum pump, such as a mechanical vacuum pump or a getter pump, to reduce the pressure in the container. A vacuum gauge can be used, periodically activated by the timer, to measure the internal vacuum; if the internal pressure is above a certain allowable level, the vacuum pump can be started or activated to restore the vacuum. If the vacuum gauge is omitted, the timer periodically activates the vacuum pump directly.