Calculating Flywheel Inertia: Get Answers Here

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In summary, the inertia of flywheels is calculated using equations that take into account the weight distribution of the flywheel. It is more advantageous to lose weight from the outer edge of the wheel to lower its moment of inertia. This can be determined through hand calculations or with the use of CAD or FEA software.
  • #1
wun911
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Im interested in finding how they calculated the inertia of these flywheels.

http://todaracingusa.com/category?section=product&omid=6&cid=12&id=51

Even If I knew the diameter of the flywheel doesn't inertia also depend on how the weight is distributed thoughout the flywheel?

Ie its better to lose weight off the outer edge of the wheel than to shave the same amount of weight off the middle of the flywheel? (I want it to store less energy so I can plant my foot down and go faster)

Do I have to physically test it to find its inertia and if so how do I go about doing this?
 
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Mass that has to travel fast takes more energy. If you have a circle, the mass on the outer rim has to travel much faster than the mass on the inside (the circumference is larger further out, hence the mass must move faster). So to lower the circles moment of inertia, you want to lose the fast traveling mass on the outside rim.

The equations are calculated using some calculus, which are more complicated if the weight is not evenly distributed.
 
  • #3
As stated above what you are after is the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moment_of_inertia" . This can be found using simple hand calculations or by the use of CAD or FEA software. For something as complex as flywheel they probably used CAD software.
 
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FAQ: Calculating Flywheel Inertia: Get Answers Here

What is flywheel inertia and why is it important?

Flywheel inertia is the measure of a flywheel's resistance to changes in its rotational speed. It is important because it affects the performance of a flywheel, such as its ability to store and release energy efficiently.

How do you calculate flywheel inertia?

Flywheel inertia can be calculated by using the formula I = 1/2 * m * r^2, where I is the moment of inertia, m is the mass of the flywheel, and r is the radius of the flywheel.

What factors affect flywheel inertia?

The main factors that affect flywheel inertia are the mass and radius of the flywheel. A heavier flywheel or a larger radius will result in a higher inertia.

Why is it important to know the flywheel inertia for a specific application?

Knowing the flywheel inertia for a specific application is important because it allows for proper selection of a flywheel that will meet the performance requirements. It also helps to ensure that the flywheel will not be too heavy or too light for the application.

Can flywheel inertia be changed?

Yes, the flywheel inertia can be changed by altering the mass or radius of the flywheel. This can be done by adding or removing weight from the flywheel or by changing the size of the flywheel. However, it is important to consider the impact of these changes on the performance of the flywheel before making any modifications.

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