Flywheels
Dr. Pranay Vinayak Likhar
Flywheel Flywheel, I
There is fluctuation in turning moment, speed, power etc. at the crack shaft.
Output
If we add a flywheel (disc), which is characterized by its moment of inertia, it
will reduce the fluctuation of speed, thereby whole process gets smoothened.
Ti= input torque
Tl= load torque Dynamics
𝑇 = 𝐼𝛼
Tl
𝑑𝜔 𝑑𝜔 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝜔
𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑙 = 𝐼 =𝐼 = 𝐼𝜔
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝜃
𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥
2
Ti න 𝑇𝑖 − 𝑇𝑙 𝑑𝜃 = න 𝐼𝜔𝑑𝜔
1
𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛 +𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥
Define, 𝜔𝑎𝑣 ≅ 2
1 2 2
Δ𝐸1−2 = 𝐼 𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛
2
Define, Coefficient of fluctuation of speed It gives us a notion, to what extent the variation of speed is
occurring with respect to mean value.
𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐶𝑠 =
𝜔𝑎𝑣
Maximum change in kinetic energy Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥
1 2 2
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼(𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
2
1
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼(𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛 )(𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛 )
2
2
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Cs 𝐼𝜔𝑎𝑣 This expression will be used to design a flywheel.
2 types of problems in design of flywheel
1. There is a power source and the load out required is steady, i.e. not fluctuating. e.g., Generator, where we do
not want too much fluctuation in speed
Flywheel
Power Load
Source (Output)
I.C. Engine Generator
2. Power source is steady and it is driving a requirement load in which we need a large energy within a short
time duration. So there will be fluctuation in the speed of the flywheel (and torque and power as well).
Flywheel
Power Load
Source (Output)
Electric motor Punch press
Illustration 1: Flywheel, I
T
Nm Output
e2
Given:
e4 e1= -10 J
e1 e2 = 50 J
e3 e3 = -20 J
e5
e4= 25 J
e5 = -45 J
Cs=0.05
𝜃 Mean speed = 400 rpm
One cycle
Design a flywheel (Find moment of inertia I)
𝑇𝑎𝑣 = න 𝑇𝑑𝜃
T
𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛 Nm
𝐶𝑠 =
𝜔𝑎𝑣
e2
𝜔𝑚𝑖𝑛 + 𝜔𝑚𝑎𝑥 e4
𝜔𝑎𝑣 ≅ a c d e f
2
e1 b
e3
2
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Cs 𝐼𝜔𝑎𝑣 e5
Ea = E
Eb = Ea –e1 = E-10 𝜃
Ec = Eb + e2 = E+40 One cycle
Ed = Ec-e3 = E+20
Ee = Ed + e4 = E+45
Ef = Ee + e5 = E
Note that Ef is same as Ea because it is a cyclic process.
There is no accumulation or dissipation of energy in a flywheel. It is like an energy reservoir.
Energy is released wherever needed and during remaining time duration it is accumulated.
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = E𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸 + 45 − (𝐸 − 10)
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 55 𝐽
2
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Cs 𝐼𝜔𝑎𝑣 I can be obtained.
Illustration 2: Steady input, fluctuating output.
• The resisting torque on the crank of riveting machine is shown in Fig. The duration of the cycle is
2s. The motor riveting the machine ha s speed of 1500 rpm and it delivers a constant torque. The
crank shaft of the machine is geared to the motor shaft. Neglecting frictional losses, determine
(a) the power of the motor
(b) the moment of inertia of the flywheel mounted on the motor shaft to keep the speed
fluctuation within +-2% of the average speed.
(c) sketch the arrangement of the flywheel in the machine
𝜔𝑎𝑣 = 1500 𝑟𝑝𝑚 = 157.1 𝑟𝑎𝑑/𝑠 Flywheel
𝐶𝑠 = 0.04 Crank
Motor
If you propose an arrangement like this, the problem is Geared connection
to find moment of inertia such that Cs is within +- 2%.
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐼= 2
𝐶𝑠 𝜔𝑎𝑣
Total energy delivered in 2 s = area under the diagram
2Π
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = න 𝑀𝑅 𝑑𝜃 = 2905.97 𝐽
0
This should be equal to Tav. 2Π
2905.97
𝑇𝑎𝑣 = = 462.5 𝑁𝑚
2𝜋
We want to find Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛
Tav
462.5 Emin Emax
We will get points of Emax and Emin where Tav
intersects the turning moment diagram.
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝐸𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1256.33 𝐽
Δ𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 2
𝐼= 2 = 1.27 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚
𝐶𝑠 𝜔𝑎𝑣
You can choose I to be slightly greater than 1.27 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚2 to ensure speed of fluctuation is well within the limits.
Flywheel effect:
Even if the flywheel is not there, the mass of the links ( inertia ) will give some resistance and reduce
the fluctuation in speed due to the inertia of components.
