Analysis of Flywheel Based

Battery Charging System

Introduction
A flywheel, in essence is a mechanical battery - simply a

mass rotating about an axis.

Flywheels store energy mechanically in the form of kinetic
energy.
They take an electrical input to accelerate the rotor up to
speed by using the built-in motor, and return the electrical
energy by using this same motor as a generator.
Flywheels are one of the most promising technologies for
replacing conventional lead acid batteries as energy
storage systems.

Benefits of flywheel
Flywheel has high power density.
Flywheel has high energy density.
The lifetime of the flywheel is almost independent of the depth

of the charge and discharge cycle.

No periodic maintenance is required in flywheel system.
Flywheel has short recharge time.
Flywheel systems are not sensitive to temperature since they
are operating in a vacuum containment.

Overview
Flywheel based battery charging system is an electromechanical setup in
which energy is converted from mechanical to electrical and is stored in a
battery of 12 volts. Flywheel is used basically to mitigate the voltage lag by
compensating for the fluctuations. We have used a bicycle pedal system
setup in which a seat is provided for the person to drive the system.. The
pedal system is used to drive the flywheel via chain drive system. The chain
drive is set at required reduction so that required angular velocity is
produced. The flywheel is connected to the dc dynamo generator through
belt drive system. The dc generator actuates at 100 rpm and produces 12
-24 volts. The dc generator stores generated electricity volts in battery. We
have used lead acid battery of rating 12V 5AH. It is a rechargeable battery

Flywheel Based Battery Charging

System

As the operator will sit on the seat and pedal with his/her force the
energy from the foot will be transferred to the flywheel through a pedal
system to the flywheel which in turn after reduction will rotate the
motors shaft which will make electricity to charge the battery.

Applications of FBCS
It can be used in remote areas effectively.
It can be used in urban households during power cut-off.
It can be taken to archaeological sites and used effectively.

Component of FBCS
Pedal System
Chain And Sprocket Drive
Flywheel
Belt Drive
Roller Chain
DC Motor/Generator
Battery

Pedal System

Pedal System works on the concept of Leverage and chain drive.

Chain And Sprocket Drive

In an industrial facility, motors and turbines use energy to produce

rotational mechanical motion. In order to harness this motion to perform
useful work, there must be a way to transmit it to other components and
machines. One method of power transmission is through the use of chain
drives and sprockets . Chain drives consist of an endless series of chain
links, which mesh with toothed sprockets. Chain drives are used to
perform three basic functions: transmitting power, conveying material

Flywheel

A flywheel is a rotating mechanical device that is used to

store rotational energy. Flywheels have an inertia called the inertia and
thus resist changes in rotational speed. The amount of energy stored in a
flywheel is proportional to the square of its rotational speed. Energy is
transferred to a flywheel by the application of a torque to it, thereby
increasing its rotational speed, and hence its stored energy. Conversely,
a flywheel releases stored energy by applying torque to a mechanical

Belt Drive System

A belt is a looped strip of flexible material used to mechanically link two

or more rotating shafts. A belt drive offers smooth transmission of power
between shafts at a considerable distance. Belt drives are used as the
source of motion to transfer to efficiently transmit power or to track
relative movement.

Roller Chain

Roller chain or bush roller chain is the type of chain drive most
commonly used for transmission of mechanical power on many kinds of
domestic, industrial and agricultural machinery, including conveyors
,printing presses , cars , motorcycles, and bicycles. It consists of a series
of short cylindrical rollers held together by side links. It is driven by a
toothed wheel called a sprocket. It is a simple, reliable, and efficient
means of power transmission.

DC Motor/Generator

It is based on the principle of production of dynamically (or motionally)

induced e.m.f (Electromotive Force). Whenever a conductor cuts
magnetic flux, dynamically induced e.m.f. is produced in it according
to Faraday's Laws of Electromagnetic Induction. This e.m.f. causes a
current to flow if the conductor circuit is closed.

Battery

The storage battery or secondary battery is such battery where electrical

energy can be stored as chemical energy and this chemical energy is then
converted to electrical energy as when required. The conversion of
electrical energy into chemical energy by applying external electrical
source is known as charging of battery. Whereas conversion of chemical
energy into electrical energy for supplying the external load is known as
discharging of secondary battery.

Advantages of FBCS
High power density.
High energy density.
The lifetime of the flywheel is almost independent of the depth

of the charge and discharge cycle.

No periodic maintenance is required.
Short recharge time.
Flywheel systems are not sensitive to temperature since they
are operating in a vacuum containment.

Graph between Mass and Energy

Mass vs Energy
90
80

E
n
e
r
g
y

70
60
50

ENERGY
Linear (ENERGY)

40
30
20
10
0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Mass

3.5

4.5

Graph Between Radius Of Flywheel And

Energy
Radius of Flywheel vs Energy
180
160

E
N
E
R
G
Y

140
120
100

ENERGY
Polynomial (ENERGY)

80
60
40
20
0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

Radius of Flywheel

0.4

0.45

Graph between length of pedal and

torque
Length of pedal vs Torque
30

T
o
r
q
u
e

25
20

TORQUE
Linear (TORQUE)

15
10
5
0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.35

Length of Pedal

0.4

0.45

Graph between efficiency of belt drive and

final torque
F
i
n
a
l

FINAL TORQUE
10.5
10
9.5

FINAL TORQUE
Linear (FINAL
TORQUE)

T
o
r
q
u
e

8.5
8
7.5
0.78

0.8

0.82 0.84 0.86 0.88

0.9

0.92 0.94 0.96

Efficiency of Belt drive

Conclusions
As E or energy is a function of r(radius) and m (mass of
flywheel) hence if we take a flywheel of 2 kg and 15 cm
diameter, we are getting energy of 22.5 Joules which would
support the operator and give continuous energy to the motor.
Length of Pedal =15cm
No. of teeth on sprocket 1 = 120
No. of teeth on sprocket 2 = 60
Gear ratio = 2:1
Flywheel Dia. = 15 cm
Mass of flywheel = 2kg
Rpm of motor = 100
Final torque = 9.405 Nm