A 15,000 rpm, 130 kWh composite flywheel was designed for high-speed passenger rail service. The rotor weighs 5000 lb. It utilizes a 5-axis levitation system with permanent magnet bias homopolar magnetic bearings. The radial bearings employ co-located optical position sensors. The thrust bearing has a single stator sandwiched between a pair of thrust runners. This flywheel utilizes a rotatory vacuum seal to directly couple to an air cooled 2 MW induction motor/generator (not shown). 
Contact: Dr. Brian Murphy Center for Electromechanics University of Texas at Austin 
