DIMENSIONS OF THE FLYWHEEL RIM

Prabhu TL
4 Min Read
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Consider a rim of the flywheel as shown in Fig. 16.17.

Let  D = Mean diameter of rim in metres,

R = Mean radius of rim in metres,

A = Cross-sectional area of rim in m2,

ρ = Density of rim material in kg/m3,

N = Speed of the flywheel in r.p.m.,

ω = Angular velocity of the flywheel in rad/s, 

v = Linear velocity at the mean radius in m/s

σ = Tensile stress or hoop stress in N/m2 due to the centrifugal force.

Consider a small element of the rim as shown shaded in Fig. 16.17. Let it subtends an angle δθ at the centre of the flywheel.

Volume of the small element

A × R.δθ ∴ Mass of the small element

dm = Density × volume = ρ ..R.δθ

and centrifugal force on the element, acting radially outwards, dF = dm 2.= ρ ..R2 2.δθ

Q.The turning moment diagram for a multi-cylinder engine has been drawn to a scale of 1 mm to 500 N-m torque and 1 mm to 6° of crank displacement. The intercepted areas between output torque curve and mean resistance line taken in order from one end, in sq. mm are – 30, + 410, – 280, + 320, – 330, + 250, – 360, + 280, – 260 sq. mm, when the engine is running at 800 r.p.m.The engine has a stroke of 300 mm and the fluctuation of speed is not to exceed ± 2% of the mean speed. Determine a suitable diameter and cross-section of the flywheel rim for a limiting value of the safe centrifugal stress of 7 MPa. The material density may be assumed as 7200 kg/m3. The width of the rim is to be 5 times the thickness.

Solution. Given : N = 800 r.p.m. or ω = 2π × 800 / 60 = 83.8 rad/s; *Stroke = 300 mm ; σ = 7 MPa = 7 × 10 6 N/m2 ; ρ = 7200 kg/m3

Since the fluctuation of speed is ± 2% of mean speed, therefore total fluctuation of speed,

ω 1 – ω 2 = 4% ω = 0.04 ω

Q. The turning moment diagram of a four stroke engine may be assumed for the sake of simplicity to be represented by four triangles in each stroke. The areas of these triangles are as follows: Suction stroke = 5 × 10 –5 m2; Compression stroke = 21 × 10 –5 m2; Expansion stroke = 85 × 10 –5 m2; Exhaust stroke = 8 × 10 –5 m2.

All the areas excepting expression stroke are negative. Each m2 of area represents 14 MN-m of work.

Assuming the resisting torque to be constant, determine the moment of inertia of the flywheel to keep the speed between 98 r.p.m. and 102 r.p.m. Also find the size of a rim-type flywheel based on the minimum material criterion, given that density of flywheel material is 8150 kg/m3 ; the allowable tensile stress of the flywheel material is 7.5 MPa. The rim cross-section is rectangular, one side being four times the length of the other.

Solution. Given: a1 = 5 × 10 –5 m2; a2 = 21 × 10 –5 m2; a3 = 85 × 10 –5 m2; a4 = 8 × 10 –5 m2; N2 = 98 r.p.m.; N1 = 102 r.p.m.; ρ = 8150 kg/m3; σ = 7.5 MPa = 7.5 × 10 6 N/m2

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Prabhu TL is a SenseCentral contributor covering digital products, entrepreneurship, and scalable online business systems. He focuses on turning ideas into repeatable processes—validation, positioning, marketing, and execution. His writing is known for simple frameworks, clear checklists, and real-world examples. When he’s not writing, he’s usually building new digital assets and experimenting with growth channels.
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