Flywheel
The flywheel control the speed variations caused by the fluctuation of energy during each cycle of operation. The flywheel acts as a reservoir of energy which absorbs the energy when the energy supplied is greater than the required and restores the energy when the energy supplied is less than the required. Absorption of energy is accompanied by an increase in speed and restoration of energy by a decrease of speed.
The change of kinetic energy (K.E.) of the flywheel is given by
K.E. = ½ I(ω12-ω22)
I = Mass moment of inertia of the flywheel = mk2
ω1, ω2 = maximum and minimum speeds of rotation
Fluctuation of speed: The difference between the maximum and minimum speed of the crankshaft for one revolution.
Coefficient of fluctuation of speed: The ratio of fluctuation of speed to the mean speed.
Maximum fluctuation of energy: The difference between the maximum and minimum energies.
Coefficient of fluctuation of energy: The ratio of maximum fluctuation of energy to the work done per cycle.
Work done per cycle = Tmean x θ
Tmean = mean torque
θ = angle turned (in radians) in one revolution