DESIGN OF A STEPPED DISK FOR CONTINUOUS KINETIC ENERGY STORAGE: AN EDUCATIONAL TOY

In this study, the design of a stepped disk for continuous kinetic energy storage is considered. The system includes a stepped disk made of a large disk for kinetic energy storage and a small disk to wrap and unwrap a string and a relatively small mass attached to the string for potential energy to drive the stepped disk. The disk rotates around a fixed point and the mass drops down in a straight-line motion.While the mass drops down, the string is unwrapped, the stepped disk rotates and transfers the potential energy into kinetic energy. When the mass reaches its lowest point, the string wraps around the small disk and the mass gains potential energy. By neglecting friction, the stepped disk rotates back and forth continuously. The importance of the stepped disk system is twofold: it is used as an educational toy thus enabling research activities and demonstrating the process of kinetic energy storage.