# Flywheel effect on torque fluctuation of an IC engine

1. Feb 6, 2012

### Tec5nical

How does a flywheel reduce torque fluctuations in a IC engine?
Of course the more inertia you have, the less rotational speed fluctuation you get. But how does more inertia lead to less 'torque' fluctuation?

2. Feb 6, 2012

### xxChrisxx

It doesn't. It does exactly what you said. :D
It's just lax wording.

Doesn't alter peak to peak torque, but the inertia means you don't get huge jolts on the drivetrain.

3. Feb 9, 2012

### Meemo

A flywheel is a rotating device which stores and releases energy when there variation in load requirement. Say if the load is enough then flywheel will store the energy and when the load is required the stored energy is released from flywheel.
The flywheel is a rotating device. It depends upon the moment of inertia ( mass x radius of gyration). The whole activities of the flywheel is controlled by its rotation causing the required moment of inertia to the load variation.

4. Feb 12, 2012

### FeX32

It is possible for a flywheel to reduce torque fluctuations in an IC engine. The reason behind this is that the rate change in acceleration $\frac{d}{dt}\alpha(t)$ (Jerk), can be suppressed by imposing more inertia onto the crankshaft. This can also help your engine idle easier.

\frac{d}{dt}\alpha(t)I=\frac{d}{dt}T(t)

From the above simple relation we can see that if we increase I (inertia) the rate change of torque onto the crank can be changed regardless of the acceleration. This problem can actually get very detailed. But the fundamentals are there.
Basically, your IC engine will produce a force which is translated into a torque as a function of time $T(t)$. You can reduce the instantaneous acceleration $\alpha(t)$ by changing the inertia.
This has however effects onto the performance of the engine etc.