Design Of An Electrical Flywheel For Surge Power Applications In Mobile Robots

David D. Wright

doi:10.1117/12.968263

1 January 1987 Design Of An Electrical Flywheel For Surge Power Applications In Mobile Robots

David D. Wright

Proceedings Volume 0852, Mobile Robots II; (1987) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.968263
Event: Advances in Intelligent Robotics Systems, 1987, Cambridge, CA, United States

Abstract

An energy boost system based on a flywheel has been designed to supply the surge power needs of mobile robots for operating equipment like transmitters, drills, manipulator arms, mobility augmenters, and etc. This flywheel increases the average power available from a battery, fuel cell, generator, RPG or solar array by one or more orders of magnitude for short periods. Flywheels can be charged and discharged for thousands of battery lifetimes. Flywheels can deliver more than ten times the power per unit weight of batteries. The electromechanical details of a reliable, energy efficient and (relatively) low cost flywheel are described. This flywheel is the combination of a highly efficient brushless motor and a laminated steel rotor operating in an hermetically sealed container with only electrical input and output. This design approach overcomes the inefficiencies generally associated with mechanically geared devices. Electrical round trip efficiency is 94% under optimum operating conditions.

Citation Download Citation

David D. Wright "Design Of An Electrical Flywheel For Surge Power Applications In Mobile Robots", Proc. SPIE 0852, Mobile Robots II, (1 January 1987); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.968263

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