Flywheel - Function, Working Principle, Types, Uses

What is a Flywheel?

Generally, a flywheel is the perfectly rigid circular element that is mounted on the crankshaft of the engine, or a rotating shaft subjected to transfer the power. The flywheel's function is to control the fluctuation in the rotating element. The flywheel has a high mass moment of inertia, due to this, it has the ability to absorb and release a high amount of energy whenever required.

Many machines have load patterns that cause the torque time function to vary over the cycle. So, to overcome this type of condition the flywheel is the best solution. As Cast iron is cheap, mostly cast iron is used for the manufacturing of the flywheel. For longer life steel can also be used, as it has properties of high strength and anticorrosion, making it durable.

Flywheel Diagram

Function of Flywheel

In general, flywheel functions are to provide smooth power output in case of the fluctuating mode of an energy resource (for example IC engine, Steam engine) or to provide a sufficiently large amount of energy in a short period of time. Based on this the main functions of the flywheel are as follows:

• To minimize the jerk in the machine element
• To store the excessive amount of rotational kinetic energy when the machine is in idling or no-load condition
• To supply a large amount of energy in the minimum time.
• Balancing the rotating element mounted on the same haft but in a different plane

Working Principle of Flywheel

The main working principle of the flywheel is based on the Rotational mass moment of inertia, Where the rotational kinetic energy is stored and released in the wheel, when the wheel store kinetic energy the rotational speed of the wheel gets increases. When the demand for high energy is required, the Wheel releases its kinetic energy and the wheel's speed gets slower.

The Kinetic energy stored on the flywheel depends on the mass moment of inertia and the speed of the flywheel. The energy stored in the flywheel is given by the equation

Kinetic Energy= (1/2)I ω²

Where,

• I – Mass moment of inertia
  ω– Mean angular speed of the wheel

As speed changes kinetic energy associated with the flywheel also changes, the change in the kinetic energy of the flywheel is given

Change in Kinetic Energy = Kinetic energy at initial−Kinetic energy at final

Change in Kinetic Energy = (1/2)I ω_i²- (1/2)I ω_f²

ΔK.E.=(1/2)I ω²[(𝜔_i−𝜔_f)/𝜔]

Where

• 𝜔_i- The initial angular speed of the wheel,
• 𝜔_f- Final angular speed of the wheel

Types of Flywheel

As per our requirement, availability of space and design point of view flywheel can be classified into the following type:

• Rim type flywheel – Used for low Speed
  Moment of inertial for Rim type flywheel is given by: I= (MR²)/2
  
• Rim and Spook type flywheel – For medium speed
• Disc type flywheel – For high speed
  Moment of inertial for Rim type flywheel is given by: I = MR²

Flywheel Uses

The main uses of the flywheel are as follows:

1. IC Engine, Steam engine – In this case flywheel stores a fluctuating form of energy and supply smooth and less fluctuating power in the output
2. Diesel generator
3. Punching and blanking operation – In this case, a smooth input energy source is there, but with the help of a flywheel, we generate a high amount of energy in less time.
4. Gyroscope – Applying a flywheel in a gyroscope is to maintain stability and control the direction, where friction is not dominant. For example – the satellite direction is controlled by using the flywheel in the gyroscope