Ways to Spin a Flywheel using linear motion

[gerald rowley]

I am to try to find simple way to spin a spinning flywheel. What linear motion device acting on the outside edge of a spinning flywheel can be used to increase the speed of the flywheel. Need to use a repeating pattern such as pushing your hand down over and over on the edge of the wheel to speed it up. instead of using hand want to use a mechanical device to do it automatically. Any ideas would be helpful.

 

[BvU]

Hello Gerald,

ANy other boundary conditions? Are you allowed to use a hand drill ? Bow driven axle ? Foot power treadle ?

 

[anorlunda]

This is very old, but that stick's linear motion spins the hoop. It could spin a flywheel too. Motion of the stick could be done by machine.

Much simpler is @BvU 's suggestion to use a hand drill, but that is rotary, not linear.

 

[sophiecentaur]

Using linear motion, there is a practical limit to the contact time - at least a rotating wheel against the periphery is the most common way of doing what you want in demonstrations I have seen.

 

[CWatters]

Why must it be linear?

Edit: Use something like a con-rod and crank to turn what ever linear source you have to the rotary motion required by the gyro/flywheel.

 

[sophiecentaur]

A crank would be a good way for a human operator but a rotary system would probably be better for most other power sources.

 

[Inventive]

I used a pressurized water hose to spin a wheel once when I was a kid to study the friction of the bearings on the wheel

 

[russ_watters]

 

[anorlunda]

There are many clever engineers on PF.

 

[BvU]

gerald rowley was last seen on PF on January 16 ...

 

[sophiecentaur]

gerald rowley was last seen on PF on January 16 ...

But, unlike many one-off posts, his post managed to spark off some good, interesting ideas.
Must have been a homework topic and he may be getting credit for all these contributions. Ah well.
Was it Picasso who said "Genius steals"?