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Flywheel Handout

A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device used to store rotational energy and maintain constant rotational speed. It allows engines to run smoothly over each cycle by absorbing energy when torque is higher and releasing it when torque is lower. The maximum difference between the highest and lowest speeds during a cycle is called the maximum fluctuation of speed. The ratio of this difference to the mean speed is the coefficient of fluctuation of speed, which indicates how steady the speed is. A governor regulates mean engine speed when load varies, while a flywheel only reduces speed fluctuations and does not control speed.

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48 views5 pages

Flywheel Handout

A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device used to store rotational energy and maintain constant rotational speed. It allows engines to run smoothly over each cycle by absorbing energy when torque is higher and releasing it when torque is lower. The maximum difference between the highest and lowest speeds during a cycle is called the maximum fluctuation of speed. The ratio of this difference to the mean speed is the coefficient of fluctuation of speed, which indicates how steady the speed is. A governor regulates mean engine speed when load varies, while a flywheel only reduces speed fluctuations and does not control speed.

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amanuelfitsum589
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Flywheel

A flywheel is an inertial energy-storage device. A flywheel used in machines serves as a


reservoir, which stores energy during the period when the supply of energy is more than the
requirement, and releases it during the period when the requirement of energy is more than the
supply. The main function of a fly wheel is to smoothen out variations in the speed of a shaft
caused by torque fluctuations. A flywheel controls the speed variations caused by the fluctuation
of the engine turning moment during each cycle of operation.

Coefficient of Fluctuation of Speed


The difference between the maximum and minimum speeds during a cycle is called the
maximum fluctuation of speed. The ratio of the maximum fluctuation of speed to the mean
speed is called the coefficient of fluctuation of speed.
Let N1 and N2 = Maximum and minimum speeds in r.p.m. during the cycle, and

Note. The reciprocal of the coefficient of fluctuation of speed is known as coefficient of


steadiness and is denoted by m.

Energy Stored in a Flywheel


m = Mass of the flywheel in kg,
k = Radius of gyration of the flywheel in metres,
I = Mass moment of inertia of the flywheel about its axis of rotation in kg-m2 = m.k2,
I = m.k2,
N1 and N2 = Maximum and minimum speeds during the cycle in r.p.m.,
ω1 and ω2 = Maximum and minimum angular speeds during the cycle in rad/s,
Radius of gyration refers to the perpendicular distance from the axis of rotation to the centre of
mass of a rotating body.

The radius of gyration (k) may be taken equal to the mean radius of the rim (R), because the
thickness of rim is very small as compared to the diameter of rim. Therefore, substituting k = R,
inequation (ii), we have
∆E = m.R2.ω2.CS

∆E = m.v2.CS
where v = Mean linear velocity (i.e. at the mean radius) in m/s = ω.R

In the above expressions, only the mass moment of inertia of the flywheel rim (I) is considered
and the mass moment of inertia of the hub and arms is neglected.
Determination of Maximum Fluctuation of Energy
A turning moment diagram for a multi-cylinder engine is shown by a wavy curve in Fig. The
horizontal line AG represents the mean torque line. Let a1, a3, a5 be the areas above the mean
torque line and a2, a4 and a6 be the areas below the mean torque line. These areas represent some
quantity of energy which is either added or subtracted from the energy of the moving parts of the
engine.

Let the energy in the flywheel at A = E, then from Fig, we have


Energy at B = E + a1
Energy at C = E + a1– a2
Energy at D = E + a1 – a2 + a3
Energy at E = E + a1 – a2 + a3 – a4
Energy at F = E + a1 – a2 + a3 – a4 + a5
Energy at G = E + a1 – a2 + a3 – a4 + a5 – a6 = Energy at A (i.e. cycle repeats after G)
Let us now suppose that the greatest of these energies is at B and least at E. Therefore,
Maximum energy in flywheel = E + a1
Minimum energy in the flywheel = E + a1 – a2 + a3 – a4

∴ Maximum fluctuation of energy,

The difference between the maximum and the minimum energies is known as maximum
fluctuation of energy.
∆ E = Maximum energy – Minimum energy
∆ E = (E + a1) – (E + a1 – a2 + a3 – a4) = a2 – a3 + a4

Coefficient of Fluctuation of Energy


It may be defined as the ratio of the maximum fluctuation of energy to the work done per
cycle. Mathematically, coefficient of fluctuation of energy,

Work done per cycle = Tmean × θ

Difference between governor and flywheel


The function of a governor in an engine is entirely different from that of a flywheel. It regulates
the mean speed of an engine when there are variations in the load, e.g., when the load on the
engine increases, it becomes necessary to increase the supply of working fluid. On the other
hand, when the load decreases, less working fluid is required. The governor automatically
controls the supply of working fluid to the engine with the varying load condition and keeps the
mean speed of the engine within certain limits.

The flywheel does not maintain a constant speed, it simply reduces the fluctuation of speed. It
does not control the speed variations caused by the varying load.

Example 1. The mass of flywheel of an engine is 6.5 tonnes and the radius of gyration is 1.8
metres. It is found from the turning moment diagram that the fluctuation of energy is 56 kN-m. If
the mean speed of the engine is 120 r.p.m., find the maximum and minimum speeds.

Example 2. The flywheel of a steam engine has a radius of gyration of 1 m and mass 2500 kg. The
starting torque of the steam engine is 1500 N-m and may be assumed constant. Determine: 1. the
angular acceleration of the flywheel, and 2. the kinetic energy of the flywheel after 10 seconds
from the start.
Example 3. A horizontal cross compound steam engine develops 300 k W at 90 r.p.m. The
coefficient of fluctuation of energy as found from the turning moment diagram is to be 0.1 and the
fluctuation of speed is to be kept within ± 0.5% of the mean speed. Find the weight of the flywheel
required, if the radius of gyration is 2 metres.
Example 4. The turning moment diagram for a petrol engine is drawn to the following scales :
Turning moment, 1 mm = 5 N-m ; crank angle, 1 mm = 1°. The turning moment diagram repeats
itself at every half revolution of the engine and the areas above and below the mean turning
moment line taken in order are 295, 685, 40, 340, 960, 270 mm2. The rotating parts are equivalent
to a mass of 36 kg at a radius of gyration of 150 mm. Determine the coefficient of fluctuation of
speed when the engine runs at 1800 r.p.m.

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