On 07/04/2016 15:25, michael adams wrote:


And so my question is this.

If the engine is running at maximum power, and thus the crankshaft
is turning as fast as possible, then how is it possible for less than
maximum torque to be delivered to the flywheel ?


Because the torque which the engine produces at wide open throttle
varies with speed. If you plot torque against engine speed, you get a
curve which is convex upwards. Peak torque typically occurs at 3000 -
3500 rpm.

If you then calculate power at each speed (speed x torque) and plot
that, you get a different curve. That rises steadily with speed until it
reaches its peak - maybe at 5000 rpm, and then starts to drop off again.

So, at peak torque, the engine is producing more torque than it is at
peak power. Because power is the product of speed and torque, it
continues to rise even after the torque has peaked.

So, to return to your question, you can get more torque - but less power
- out of an engine by running it a speed lower than its max power speed.

Or, to put it another way, peak torque and peak power don't occur at the
same speed as each other.

Hope that helps!
--
Cheers,
Roger
____________
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.