Using FRPs in elastic regime for the storage and handling of mechanical energy and power: Application in spiral springs

Abstract

In this work, we analyze the application potential of adequate FRPs for the storage and handling of mechanical energy and power. We demonstrate that the elastic deformation of certain FRPs in adequate shapes can give rise to energy storage and power handling systems with similar or even better technical and economic performance as other systems as flywheels and supercapacitors in terms of energy, power density and cost per cycle. The concept leads to additional advantages as robustness, simplicity, long service life, high depth of discharge and low self-discharge. Fiber reinforcements as high strength carbon, glass, aramid or PBO, with high specific strength and low specific stiffness, are analyzed in terms of energy, power density and cost, showing some of them an interesting applicability potential. Finally, the hypothesis is demonstrated by the operation of two prototypes based on glass and carbon fiber-epoxy spiral springs.