Enhancing the Dynamic Analysis of Flywheel Using Different Materials

Abstract

Flywheels serve as kinetic energy storage and retrieval devices with the ability to deliver high output power at high rotational speeds as being one of the emerging energy storage technologies available today in various stages of development, especially in advanced technological areas, i.e., space-crafts. Mainly, the performance of a flywheel can be attributed to three factors, i.e., material strength, geometry (cross-section) and rotational speed. While material strength directly determines kinetic energy level that could be produced safely combined (coupled) with rotor speed, this study solely focuses on exploring the effects of flywheel material on its energy storage/deliver capability per unit mass, further defined as Specific Energy. Proposed Computer aided analysis and optimization procedure results show that smart selection of flywheel material could both have a significant effect on the Specific Energy performance and reduce the operational loads exerted on the shaft/bearings due to reduced mass at high rotational speeds.