Optimization of composite flywheel design

Abstract

Composite flywheels are effective energy storage devices. The multi-rimmed flywheel configuration is first chosen for this study because of its superior operating characteristics and versatility. Then the Kevlar-49/epoxy system is adopted as the basic composite material, which is sandwiched between thin layers of rubber. A general stress analysis procedure is developed for the multi-rimmed structure and a computer routine is established to investigate the effects of various material and geometric parameters on the internal stress levels. A maximum stress criterion is used for failure of the composite flywheel. The basic goal of optimization is to achieve a stress distribution such that each ring in the multi-ringed structure will fail at approximately the same angular speed. The parameters varied in the optimization process include the thickness, Poisson's ratio, Young's modulus and density of the inter-ring material, the density and thickness of the composite material, and the thickness of the flywheel in the axial direction. The optimization process demonstrated that this procedure can be applied in general when other failure criteria or performance characteristics (such as maximum kinetic energy, kinetic energy per weight and kinetic energy per volume) are preferred.