Battery flywheel for a high-altitude balloon

摘要

Methods and systems disclosed herein relate to using a rotating flywheel battery in a balloon in a high-altitude balloon network. An example method could include converting, in a balloon, first electrical energy into kinetic mechanical energy. The balloon includes a flywheel battery configured to rotate about a spin axis. The kinetic mechanical energy includes a rotation motion of the flywheel battery. The method could further include storing the kinetic mechanical energy for a finite period of time. Further, the method could include performing, using the flywheel battery, at least one of: i) converting at least a portion of the stored kinetic mechanical energy into second electrical energy; ii) stabilizing at least one motion of the balloon based on the rotational motion of the flywheel battery; and iii) rotating the balloon substantially about a balloon axis substantially perpendicular to the ground surface of the earth.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
converting, in a balloon, first electrical energy into kinetic mechanical energy, wherein the balloon comprises a flywheel battery, wherein the flywheel battery is configured to rotate about a spin axis substantially parallel to a ground surface of the earth, wherein the kinetic mechanical energy comprises a rotational motion of the flywheel battery; storing, using the rotational motion of the flywheel battery, the kinetic mechanical energy for a finite period of time; performing, using the flywheel battery, at least one of:
i) converting at least a portion of the stored kinetic mechanical energy into second electrical energy;ii) stabilizing at least one motion of the balloon based on the rotational motion of the flywheel battery;iii) rotating the balloon substantially about a balloon axis substantially perpendicular to the ground surface of the earth.