Design and Performance Improvements of the Prototype Open Core Flywheel Energy Storage System

A prototype magnetically suspended composite flywheel energy storage (FES) system is operating at the University of Maryland. This system, designed for spacecraft applications, incorporates recent advances in the technologies of composite materials, magnetic suspension, and permanent magnet brushless motorlgenerator. The current system is shown in Figure 1 and is referred to as an Open Core Composite Flywheel [OCCF] energy storage system. This paper will present design improvements for enhanced and robust performance. The control aspects of the OCCF magnetic bearings are discussed in a separate paper, "Parameter Design And Optimal Control Of an Open Core Composite Flywheel Energy Storage System."