How Does a Flywheel Store and Transfer Energy?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanics of flywheels, specifically how they store and transfer energy. The original poster presents a scenario involving a 1/2 hp electric motor and a 5 kg flywheel, raising questions about the energy stored in the flywheel at different RPMs and the energy required to regain top speed after a reduction in RPM.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the concept of rotational kinetic energy and its implications for energy storage in flywheels. Questions arise about the energy dynamics when the flywheel is connected to mechanical systems versus when it is not. There is also inquiry into the nature of energy loss in mechanical systems and how it relates to the original poster's questions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's questions, providing insights into energy calculations and the nature of energy conversion. Some guidance has been offered regarding the calculation of kinetic energy at different RPMs, and there is a recognition of the complexities involved in understanding energy loss and conversion in mechanical systems.

Contextual Notes

There are ongoing discussions about the assumptions related to energy loss, particularly regarding how energy is transformed into non-mechanical forms, such as heat, during operation. The original poster expresses a need for further clarification on specific calculations related to energy stored in the flywheel.

wslukman
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Flyheel the storage energy.

The transfer from mechanical energy to electric energy was equal.
The situation was, i got a 1/2 hp electric motor (EM) that can turning a 5 kg flywhell (∅ 28 cm) to 1500 RPM within 10 second. (connected by gear to each other)
question was:
1. at the 11 second, i turn off the EM, how much energy stored in flywheel until it stop turning.
2. at the 11 second, i turn off the EM, then the flywheel start to reduce it speed to 1300 RPM. At that moment, I'm starting turn on the EM again. How much energy from EM needs to turning and to regain the top speed of the flywheel (from 1300 to 1500 RPM).?

Thanks a lot for the answer.
 
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Thanks DennisN,

according http://www.botlanta.org/converters/dale-calc/flywheel.html
at 1300 RPM (5000 grams, dia = 283 mm) Disk KE (joule) = 463 j
at 1500 RPM = 617 j
is that mean, i need 617j-463j = 154 joule to regain the top speed.?

If something connected by the flywheel (blade of windmill or pump), energy from EM and energy that stored on flywheel was turn to a mechanical energy, if flywheel connect to none of subject, the energy are use to increasing and maintenance the RPM when flywheel reducing the speed, and some other are.. gone with the wind.? :)

back to question no 1, which expressed theory to answering that.?
 
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Where does "wasted" energy generally go in mechanical systems?
 
most are go/used to move "a thing", and finally get suck by "a thing". and disappear..
like energy mechanical we used to pushing a wall, and does the wall stored our energy? or disappear?
because energy can not be create or destroy, so it just flow... wasted, unused, disappear?
like a energy from wind before it get captured by windmill. it nothing but a wind .. I'm i right.?

i'm still need help for question no 1 :) please
 
You do not need energy to apply a force on a wall, if the wall does not move.

Energy does not disappear, but it can get converted to another (non-mechanical) type of energy. This usually happens everywhere in mechanical systems. Hint: you can feel it.

What do you mean with question 1, the energy stored at 1500 rpm? You calculated that value already.
 
again I'm using calculating using : http://www.botlanta.org/converters/dale-calc/flywheel.html
Input
Metric (gram, mm)
Mass = 15000
Diameter = 280
RPM = 1500

Output
Surface Speed (M/sec) = 21.99
Interia = 0.147
Disk KE (joules) = 1814.01
Is this the "only" stored energy on flywheel from 1500 RPM until it stop turning.? or rapidly energy output persecond (and the amount was decrease following the slowing revolution of the flywheel it self) ie. it gives out put 1754 joules at 1475 RPM

Centrifugal Force
(Kg) = 5258.07
(Newton) = 51828
 
wslukman said:
most are go/used to move "a thing", and finally get suck by "a thing". and disappear..
like energy mechanical we used to pushing a wall, and does the wall stored our energy? or disappear?
because energy can not be create or destroy, so it just flow... wasted, unused, disappear?
like a energy from wind before it get captured by windmill. it nothing but a wind .. I'm i right.?

i'm still need help for question no 1 :) please

no, that's not the answer mfb is looking for ;)

read this post of his again ... carefully :)

mfb said:
Energy does not disappear, but it can get converted to another (non-mechanical) type of energy. This usually happens everywhere in mechanical systems. Hint: you can feel it.

Dave
 
if it convert to (non mechanical ) type of energy. for mfb question the answer was heat. like when i using my weld machine, and yes too for most of friction between 2 or more mechanical thing, like friction on gear, V-belt, and even it not touching one to another, like friction between rotor and stator. The motor increasing their heat
 
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