Computer Aided Design and Analysis of Flywheel

This study solely focuses on exploring the effects of flywheel geometry on its energy storage/deliver capability per unit mass, further defined as specific energy. Various profiles of flywheel are studied and the stored kinetic energy is calculated for the respective flywheel. Various profiles designed are solid disk, rim type, webbed/section cut flywheel. It shows that smart design of flywheel geometry 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. Efficient flywheel design used to maximize the inertia of moment for minimum material used and guarantee high reliability and long life. FE analysis is carried out for different cases of flywheel and maximum von mises stresses and total deformation are determined. The present work deals with the problem of weight minimization and energy maximization of flywheel. We take press machine flywheel and analyze it using ANSYS (finite element modeling and analysis software) to optimize weight and find out the resulting stresses. Also we compare the theoretical stress results with analysis software stress results and suggest smart profile of flywheel so it can store more amount of energy than solid disk flywheel.