Development of Acoustic Bandgap Materials and Devices

Not Available Active Magnetic Bearings (AMBs) with their ability to electronically manipulate rotor system dynamics, add damping as required and operate without lubricants offer an attractive alternative to conventional liquid lubricated bearing systems, especially in flywheel energy storage (FESS) devices, such as are planned for future land based combat vehicles. However, offsetting the many advantages of the AMB are its sensitivity to transient loads and the lack of a built in fail safe mechanism to capture the rotor and protect the FESS in the event of a system failure. To meet this need MiTi has conceived and has tested two shock tolerant auxiliary bearings, the Zero Clearance Auxiliary Bearing (ZCAB) and the Powder Lubricated Auxiliary Bearing (P-LAB). Each is suitable for high speed vacuum operation. Under Phase I, MiTi will identify the design requirements for a vehicular class (e.g., the combat hybrid propulsion system) RESS shock tolerant auxiliary bearing designs to meet the design requirements, identify the required tribomaterial system (i.e, shaft material, bearing material and dry lubricant), select the bearing most suitable for Phase II demonstration and establish the development test rig concepts designs needed for Phase II. Under Phase II, MiTi will complete the detailed design and fabricate the selected auxiliary bearing for development testing.