püsiratast

Püsiratast, also known as a flywheel, is a mechanical device designed to store rotational energy. It typically takes the form of a heavy disc or wheel mounted on a rotating shaft. Its primary function is to smooth out variations in speed or torque within a mechanical system. By accumulating kinetic energy as it spins faster, a flywheel can then release this energy when the system's speed slows down, thus providing a more consistent output.

Flywheels are employed in a wide range of applications. In internal combustion engines, they help to maintain engine rotation between power strokes, ensuring smoother operation. In industrial machinery, such as punch presses or stamping machines, a motor can accelerate a flywheel during idle periods, and the stored energy is then rapidly discharged to power the brief, high-force operation. Energy storage systems also utilize flywheels, where they can be spun up to very high speeds by an electric motor and later used to generate electricity when needed, providing a way to store and release electrical energy mechanically. The design of a flywheel, including its mass, radius, and distribution of mass, determines its energy storage capacity and rotational inertia.