Smooth power transmission: flywheels and spinners

[Bacon Wizard]

OK, so I'm not building a spinner, but am likely to have a large flywheel and/or gyro

I wouldn't mind smoothing out any peaks and troughs between motor and wheel, in both directions.

I thought a torque converter (fluid) would be ideal, but the only ones I can find are for cars and weigh a tonne.
Anyone have experience of centrifugal clutches, or any other means?

Is it a bad idea all together?

[plargen]

the old cylinder mowers use centrifugal cluches

[Ellis]

Not sure either thing is ideal, but torque converters for go karts are readily available. They aren't light, nor very cheap, and I think they have a max. rpm, beyond which they can stick. Pocket bikes and chainsaws use small centrifugal clutches. Ebay is your friend for those.

[typhoon_driver]

Do you know that the torque curve of an electric motor isn't a curve but is a straight line?

[Bacon Wizard]

Do you know that the torque curve of an electric motor isn't a curve but is a straight line?

I did in theory, but it needed pointing out if you know what I mean..

Would spinners usually be direct-drive then?

[typhoon_driver]

Yes. Conventional dc driven spinners are direct drive. You key the electronic side of things handle the changes in load

[Bacon Wizard]

You key the electronic side of things handle the changes in load

Ah. There we go... that's why this forum so valuable for us newbies. Tah very much. Job's a good'un.

[typhoon_driver]

No bother. You would only want to bother with a clutch if either you are using a petrol engine (torque at high revs) or possibly with a brushless motor when you don't want the disc to be able to drive the motor as it can nacker the brushless esc.