Setting Speed Limits for Safe Operation of Composite Flywheels

摘要

This paper presents a methodology for setting a safe operating speed for a filament-wound composite flywheel with an idealized delamination-type flaw. Fracture mechanics concepts were used to establish the severity and growth rate of such a flaw. The strain energy release rates of various-sized delaminations were evaluated using a 2-D finite element method. Flaw growth rates under cyclic loading were estimated using the Paris law. Several virtual containment strategies were also investigated. Once a flaw is detected during flywheel operation, the maximum operating speed can be reduced to prevent catastrophic failure and to achieve a specific design life, while the energy storage capacity is greatly increased.