Flywheel effect on torque fluctuation of an IC engine

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the role of a flywheel in reducing torque fluctuations in internal combustion (IC) engines. Participants explore the relationship between inertia and torque stability, considering both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that increased inertia from a flywheel leads to less rotational speed fluctuation, but questions how this translates to reduced torque fluctuation.
  • Another participant argues that while inertia does not alter peak-to-peak torque, it prevents large jolts on the drivetrain.
  • A third participant describes the flywheel as a device that stores and releases energy based on load variations, emphasizing the importance of moment of inertia in this process.
  • One participant proposes that a flywheel can indeed reduce torque fluctuations by suppressing the rate of change in acceleration (jerk) through increased inertia, which may also facilitate smoother engine idling.
  • This participant provides a mathematical relation indicating that increasing inertia can affect the rate of torque change, suggesting a complex interaction between inertia and engine performance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the extent to which a flywheel affects torque fluctuations, with some asserting it does not change peak torque while others argue it can influence torque stability through inertia. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the precise mechanisms and implications.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions of torque and inertia, and the discussion does not fully resolve the mathematical relationships involved or the broader implications for engine performance.

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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?
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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 [itex]\frac{d}{dt}\alpha(t)[/itex] (Jerk), can be suppressed by imposing more inertia onto the crankshaft. This can also help your engine idle easier.
\begin{equation}
\frac{d}{dt}\alpha(t)I=\frac{d}{dt}T(t)
\end{equation}

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 [itex]T(t)[/itex]. You can reduce the instantaneous acceleration [itex]\alpha(t)[/itex] by changing the inertia.
This has however effects onto the performance of the engine etc.
 

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