What are the benefits of using a flywheel?

In automobile engines, the flywheel serves to smooth out the pulses of energy provided by combustion in the cylinders and provide energy for the compression stroke of the pistons. The inertia of the flywheel opposes and moderate engine speed fluctuations and stores the excess energy for intermittent use.

What is a flywheel and what does it do?

The flywheel in cars functions as the interface between the engine and the clutch system. It is a spinning disc made of heavy steel or carbon fiber in some modern cars. It is the one that stores rotational energy when your car is idling or when at a stop.

What are some of the different types of flywheels?

Several modern flywheel rotors are made from composite materials. Examples include the carbon-fiber composite flywheel from Beacon Power Corporation and the PowerThru flywheel from Phillips Service Industries. Alternatively, Calnetix utilizes aerospace-grade high-performance steel in their flywheel construction.

How does a flywheel help an engine run smoothly?

In automobile engines, the flywheel serves to smooth out the pulses of energy provided by combustion in the cylinders and provide energy for the compression stroke of the pistons. The inertia of the flywheel opposes and moderate engine speed fluctuations and stores the excess energy for intermittent use.