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, Im 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?