flywheelA device used for storing mechanical energy and for smoothing the power output of an engine, comprising a heavy shaft-mounted wheel. Since energy is stored as kinetic energy of rotation, it is advantageous for the wheel to have as large as possible a moment of inertia, and thus for its mass to be concentrated near the rim. Related category TECHNOLOGYAlso on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History |