Abstract
A numerical scheme for optimum design of flywheels is considered in this paper. First, a continuous function is devised for thickness variation of the flywheel. Expressions are then provided for calculation of volume and mass moment of inertia. The stress analysis problem is presented as a two-point, boundary-value differential equation. A numerical strategy for solving this equation is adopted. The flywheel design problem is then formulated as a numerical optimization problem with the coefficients of the thickness function as its design variables and the minimum and maximum thicknesses of the flywheel as its constraints. The objective function is defined as the ratio of inertia over volume. Computational algorithms are used to solve this optimization problem. A study of the results shows the remarkable advantages that can be gained by using an optimized flywheel in comparison to a constant-thickness flywheel. The results are also compared with the results of previously reported similar research. The problem formulation is then modified to study the effect of inclusion of a stress constraint on the design. It will be shown that the substantial complexity that this modification introduces into the problem is not warranted since the amount of reduction in stress is not significant.
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