Max Power transfer Mechanically?

[azaharak]

In electrical circuits, maximum power transfer is obtained when you have your impedances matching?

What would be the analogue, or equivalent requirement in order to maximally transfer power in a car or mechanical device.

For a given gear ratio, there must be an optimal speed that maximally transfers power?

or maybe a specific ration that maximally transfers power.



The frictional force between the tire and the ground acts to move the car foward, it also introduces a torque which opposes the torque produced by the engines force.

Just thinking in my head, I am picturing that inertia is the mechanical analoge of resistance?

Maybe when the rotational inertia of the wheels/gears match the rotational inertia of the engine, this will provide maximal power transfer?


THanks!

 

[Andy Resnick]

I would say the mechanical analog to impedance matching (also index matching in optics) is the no-slip condition. One surface cannot slide across the other, if the transfer of force/torque is perfectly efficient.

 

[quantum123]

Whats a gearing ratio?