Reducing friction power losses of flywheel energy storage systems using PTFE composites: A technical note

Abstract

This technical note aims to reduce friction power loss of flywheel energy storage system (FESS) supported by hydrodynamic spiral groove bearing and permanent magnetic bearing (PMB). An approach is proposed to fabricate the spiral groove bearing using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite. A test rig is developed to test tribological properties of the spiral groove PTFE bearings. Also, two PTFE composites (C-PTFE: 80 vol.% PTFE filled with 20 vol.% graphite; C-Cu-PTFE 50 vol.% PTFE filled with 20 vol.% graphite and 30 vol.% copper powder) are tested. Results show that the friction power losses of the C-PTFE and C-Cu-PTFE bearings are lower than that of the traditional albronze (CuAl) bearing in the whole speed range. In addition, the spiral groove PTFE bearings show an excellent friction-reducing property under boundary or mixed lubrication condition. Finally, a case study is given to show the spiral groove PTFE bearing is capable of reducing the friction power loss of the FESS.

Keywords

Flywheel energy storage system hydrodynamic spiral groove bearing polytetrafluoroethylene composite friction power loss

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