LINK MEMBER FOR A FLYWHEEL

摘要

A flywheel apparatus for energy storage and recovery typically includes a flywheel system which is coupled to a flywheel drive system (18). The flywheel system comprises a housing (1) within which there is a chamber (1a) in which a flywheel (3) on a shaft (4) rotates. Vibration of the housing (1) or the shaft (4) can result in unsettling noise or damage to the flywheel system. The shaft (4) is therefore mounted on the housing (1) via at least one damper (6, 7) which may allow but constrain and/or damp movement of the flywheel (3) and shaft (4) relative to the housing (1). The flywheel system is provided with a flywheel lubrication system. The flywheel drive system may be supplied with a different type of fluid from the flywheel system. The two fluids may be kept separate by a sealing arrangement (11, 20). Movement of the flywheel shaft (4) relative to the housing (1) is accommodated by a link member (14) which is arranged to allow the flywheel shaft (4) to move relative to the housing (1) without causing damage to the flywheel drive system. The link member (14) also prevents the sealing arrangement (11, 20) from becoming damaged or becoming ineffective, thus preventing the flywheel system fluid and the flywheel drive system fluid from contaminating one another. The link member (14) may also act as a mechanical fuse.