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What is a flywheel?

A flywheel used in machines acts as a reservoir to store energy when the supply of energy is excess and the same is released when the requirement arises i.e. its primary function is to sort out variations in the speed of a shaft which are caused due to torque fluctuations.

In case of I.C engines, energy is developed during power stroke and the engine is to run the whole cycle from the power generated from this stroke. When the flywheel absorbs energy, its speed goes on increasing and when it releases the acquired energy, it decreases.

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Classification of fly wheel

Based on the mode of operation, two kinds of flywheel designs are there:

1. Disc type – Suited for smaller sized engines/machines
2. Arm type – Suited for larger sized engines/machines

 

Application of flywheels

1. IC engine
2. Sheet metals press
3. Kinetic energy recovery system (KERS)

 

Fundamental Principles of Flywheel Design and Sizing Calculations

Firstly, calculate the mass moment of inertia required by the flywheel to smoothing out the fluctuation/variations of kinetic energy in the system. This will be discussed in this article.

Secondly, calculate the geometry/dimensions of the flywheel based on the calculated mass moment of inertia and material properties. This will be covered in another article.

 

 

Design steps and formulas

Step-1: Coefficient of fluctuation calculation

Input required: Maximum & minimum speed

Flywheel inertia/size depends upon the fluctuations in speed. The difference between maximum & minimum speeds during a cycle is called maximum fluctuation of speed.

The ratio between maximum fluctuations of speed to mean speed is called coefficient of fluctuation of speed (C_s).

Consider, Ѡ _max =Max. Speed during the cycle

Ѡmin = Min. speed during the cycle

Ѡ_mean =Mean speed = (Ѡ _{max +} Ѡ _min) /2…….eq.1

Therefore, Coefficient of Fluctuation of speed,

C_s = [2*(Ѡmax–Ѡmin)]/[Ѡmax+Ѡmin]…….eq.2

Note: The smaller the C_s value, larger the flywheel, but smoother the operation.

 

Step-2: Mass moment of inertia calculation

Input required: kinetic energy of the system

The general equation of kinetic energy for a flywheel system is given as,

K_e = 0.5* I* (Ѡ_max² – Ѡ_min²) ………..eq.3

Rewriting eq.3, we get

Ke = 0.5 I (Ѡ_max + Ѡ_min) (Ѡ_max – Ѡ_min)…………eq.4

Substituting eq.1 & 2 in eq.4, we get

I = K_e / C_s Ѡ_mean²……………..eq.5

eq.5 is used to obtain necessary flywheel inertia corresponding to variations in speed.

 

We will try out a simplified problem on flywheel sizing and calculate the required moment of inertia.

 

Regarding units ( Important ):

Ke – N.m

Ѡ – rad/sec

I – Kg.m²

 

Example:

Let us consider a punching machine driven by 3KW, 1000RPM powered motor with a gear set of 5:1 and a stroke length of 250mm. Rated capacity of the punching machine is 22KN.

Consider coeff. of fluctuation of speed, C_s = 0.02 (Value to be considered by the designer)

Since it is a small machine, diameter of the flywheel should be as small as possible.

Consider 500mm to be the max size of the flywheel dia.

Calculate the mass moment of inertia required for the flywheel of the punching press machine.

 

Solution:

Step-1: Coefficient of fluctuation (C_s) calculation

The value is given as,

C_s=0.02

 

Step-2: Mass moment of inertia (I) calculation

Input required: kinetic energy of the system- to be calculated

 

Kinetic energy of the system (K_e) calculation:

Work done, W = 22*10^3*0.25*0.15 (Assume rated load delivered during 15% of power stroke)

Therefore, W = 825Nm

Thus, Energy absorbed is 825Nm.

Now, let us calculate the mean torque acting on the shaft, T_mean = 3*10^3 / 2*π*(1000/60)

Therefore, Tmean = 28.66Nm

Work done per cycle is (Energy supplied), W_c= 2π*28.66*5 = 900 Nm

Therefore, Kinetic energy of the system is,

K_e=W–W_c*0.08 (Energy absorbed – Energy supplied* factor for loss)

K_e = 825 – 900 *0.08 (0.08 – factor for losses. Again dependent on the designer)

K_e = 753Nm

Therefore, mass moment of inertia as per eq.5 is

I = 753 / 0.02 (2π*1000/60)²

I = 3.43 Kg.m²

Hence, the flywheel sizing/design calculation for the above example shows that the required mass moment of inertia for this application should be = 3.43 Kg.m².