FLYWHEEL TECHNOLOGY
How It Works
The successful integration of patented high-speed motor, generator and magnetic bearing technologies gives VYCON a substantial edge in delivering the four components that combine for a highly efficient, extremely reliable flywheel system.
Four components—the high-strength steel hub, the dual mode motor/generator, the fully active magnetic bearings, and the sophisticated system controls—constitute a unique synthesis of proprietary technologies.
As a result, VYCON is able to produce robust, durable, high-speed flywheel systems that are available at costs which make flywheels a viable DC power alternative.
Vycon was formed in 2002 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Calnetix Inc., and subsequently spun-off in 2003 to allow the company to focus on its product line and acquire funding to support this focused effort. Calnetix licensed its patents and assigned, licensed or sublicensed certain rights to Vycon in inventions, technology, trade secrets, know-how, proprietary processes, copyrights, certain other patents, and other intellectual property. The rights granted to Vycon are confined to the specific field of use, where Calnetix granted Vycon a fully paid-up, royalty free, irrevocable, worldwide, exclusive license in and to Calnetix motor generator and magnetic bearing technology and patents in the field of energy storage flywheels for terrestrial use.
THE ANATOMY OF A FLYWHEEL SYSTEM
Each system makes optimum use of sophisticated components for increased efficiencies:
FLYWHEEL MODULE - The heart of the system providing a 20
year life with no maintenance.
CONTROL PANEL – Touch screen, graphical user interface provides
system status, navigation paths, and system functionality
options
POWER CONVERSION MODULE CONTROLLER - Monitors the output demand
and controls the various subsystems including charging (motoring)
and discharging (generating) of the flywheel permanent magnet
motor.
MAGNETIC LEVITATION CONTROLLER - Controls the position of
the flywheel rotor via a 5-axis active magnetic bearing system
and provides data on system performance
BI-DIRECTIONAL IGBT POWER CONVERTER - The interface between
the DC bus and the variable frequency, variable voltage AC
generated by the flywheel