Patent ID: 7034420

Claim:
A system for managing a crash or failure of a flywheel energy storage system (FESS), the FESS including a plurality of predetermined components, each of which has a predetermined location prior to the onset of a crash or failure of the FESS, the crash management system including at least one fixed structural barrier placed at a predetermined position within the FESS; wherein the plurality of predetermined components defines a plurality of gaps therebetween, the gaps characterized at least in part by an axial dimension and a radial dimension without the crash management system in place; and wherein the at least one fixed structural barrier is disposed within the FESS such that the radial dimension of one gap is reduced such that in the event of a crash or failure of the FESS, the reduced radial dimension is effective to impede further movement of at least one of the plurality of components from its predetermined location so as to avoid a catastrophic failure of at least a flywheel portion of the FESS.