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Flywheel Explained!

What is a Flywheel, its Functions, Diagram, Types, and How it Works?

 

The flywheel, one of the important components of an automobile engine, stores rotational momentum, a kinetic energy proportional to its rotational speed and mass. It helps smooth power pulses and store energy through rotational momentum.

A flywheel, a heavy wheel, rotates on its axis, requiring substantial force and resisting changes in rotational speed due to its moment of inertia.

By changing stored energy, the flywheel’s rotational speed can be increased or decreased, preserving kinetic energy for powering the vehicle when starting or speeding.

Flywheels play a crucial role in automobile engines, serving various functions such as engine balancing, engine start, and drivetrain stress reduction. They suppress side-to-side motion due to the offset of pistons from the crankshaft, preventing vibration and wobbles.

The flywheel also plays a role in engine Start, as it is attached to a starter motor, allowing the engine to spin freely. This stabilises the engine’s movement, reducing wear and tear on the drivetrain components.

The flywheel also smooths the engine’s speed, reducing wear between the transmission shaft and driveshaft. The crankshaft converts piston movement into rotary motion, ensuring a constant rotational speed and smooth running.

The weight of a flywheel determines engine performance, with heavier flywheels suitable for larger trucks or trailers, while lighter flywheels are suitable for sports cars and some commercial vehicles.

A car flywheel consists of several compact components. The central disc stores rotational energy, preserving the engine’s mass distribution and balance.

The outer rim, the peripheral edge of the flywheel, increases the flywheel’s rotational inertia, improving kinetic energy transmission and energy storage. The ring gear, toothed wheel on the flywheel’s outside edge, assists in starting the engine by engaging the starter motor’s pinion gear.

The flywheel cover, a structural protective barrier, shields the entire system from the elements, ensuring its structural integrity. The crankshaft flange connects the flywheel to the engine’s crankshaft, with machined surfaces and tapped holes for fastening.

Mounting holes are strategically placed in the flywheel, facilitating fastening to the engine’s crankshaft. Axial and radial bearings are essential for enabling the flywheel to rotate, compensating for imbalances in axial and radial forces, and aiding in support and efficient load distribution.

Flywheels, made of high-strength steel or cast iron, are used in car engines for braking and energy storage. The efficiency of a flywheel increases with its weight as its rotational speed or angular speed increases, resulting in increased stress.

The flywheel works by storing mechanical energy generated by torque, which is then released by rotating the engine. This increases the engine speed, ensuring the stability of the machine.

The flywheel receives torque, allowing it to store energy and rotate the mechanical load to maintain the engine’s rotational stability.

Flywheels are versatile tools used in various applications. There are various types of flywheels, including solid disc flywheels, rimmed flywheels, high-velocity flywheels, and low-velocity flywheels.

A solid disc flywheel is used in cast iron single-flywheel threshing machines, with its design influenced by various parameters.

A rim-type flywheel, made of high-strength steel, has a low weight and large energy storage capacity. High-velocity flywheels spin at 30,000 to 80,000 revolutions per minute, requiring little upkeep and magnetic levitation bearings.

Low-velocity flywheels spin at 10,000 revolutions per minute but are bulkier and heavier, requiring periodic maintenance and a specific concrete structure. High-speed flywheels are more expensive and require specific concrete structures for installation.

FAQs

What is a flywheel and its use?

A flywheel, a heavy wheel attached to a rotating shaft, moderates fluctuations in engine speed by opposing the inertia and storing excess energy for intermittent use, ensuring smooth power delivery.

Why is it called a flywheel?

A flywheel, a wheel that goes fast, is the main wheel of a motor that powers all other belts. It’s used to ensure safety by flying overhead, preventing accidental pull-through and potential fatalities.

What is the flywheel concept?

The flywheel concept, based on mechanical flywheels, is a strategy that encourages business growth by accumulating small wins over time, thereby promoting momentum and continuous improvement.

Related: Car Engine Parts Explained!

Source  mechlesson.com/flywheel 

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