Design of a flywheel for a kinetic energy recovery and storage system from a landing aircraft

Abstract

With the ever-increasing environmental pressure, the aviation industry is in constant pursuit to reduce fuel consumption, both in flight as well as on the ground. This thesis addresses engineless aircraft ground movement by developing a concept for energy recovery and storage from a landing aircraft. Following an economic assessment to assess the concept, the thesis develops a design process to establish the shape, material, geometry and operational requirements of the flywheel. Following analytical calculations of the stresses induced in the flywheel, a finite element analysis of the flywheel under operational loads is executed and results analysed with reference to the suitability of the design method followed. Results illustrate that stresses induced by operational rotational speeds are within material stress constraints determined by the material properties.