Calculating the Torque of a Cylindrical Flywheel

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the torque available in a solid cylindrical flywheel, particularly in the context of an air motor with low RPM. Participants explore the relationship between the flywheel's dimensions, density, and rotational speed in terms of its effectiveness in storing torque.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the calculation of torque in a solid cylindrical flywheel based on its diameter, length, density, and RPM.
  • Another participant notes that the design of the flywheel significantly affects torque, emphasizing that mass located at the outer rim is more effective due to higher speeds.
  • A participant shares their experience with different flywheel weights and RPMs, indicating that a lighter flywheel at a higher RPM can provide more torque than a heavier one at a lower RPM.
  • There is a mention of proposals to use flywheels as alternatives to diesel generators for backup power, highlighting the potential energy storage capabilities of large flywheels at high RPMs.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying perspectives on the design and effectiveness of flywheels, with no consensus reached on a specific formula or method for calculating torque. The discussion remains exploratory with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the dependence on specific design parameters of the flywheel and the lack of detailed mathematical derivations in the discussion.

khoopes01
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Our air motor has 2 cylinders and is a low rpm device. It therefore
needs a flywheel to store enough torque to get the crankshaft
past the dead spots at 10 degrees before and after top dead center and
10 degrees before and after bottom dead center.

My question is how to calculate the torque available in a solid cylindrical
flywheel in terms of its diameter, length, density, and RPM.
 
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It depends on the design of the flywheel, basically mass at the outer rim where it is going faster has more effect.
There are formula for simple solid disks, cyclinders etc. I can't get the formula writer to work but this link is here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel
 
Thanks, that did it

mgb_phys said:
It depends on the design of the flywheel, basically mass at the outer rim where it is going faster has more effect.
There are formula for simple solid disks, cyclinders etc. I can't get the formula writer to work but this link is here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flywheel
Thanks - you got me off the dime and I have my answer - is amazing what
the squared term does to flywheel energy. We has a 60 pound flywheel
on the cankshaft and it wasn't getting the job done. A 40 pound flywheel
rotating at 20 revs/second gave us more torque than we need.
Thanks again
Ken Hoopes
Chief Engineer HUE corp
 
khoopes01 said:
is amazing what
the squared term does to flywheel energy.
It is! There are proposals to use flywheels as alternatives to diesel generators for backup power - a few tons of flywheel at 10,000rpm is a lot of energy!
 

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