How to optimally transfer potential energy from a large mass to accelerate a small one upwards.

[Fernando137]

With the potential energy of a large mass (for example 50 kg at 10 meters high) I want to accelerate a smaller mass (5-25 kg) upwards. I see that simple mechanisms like pulleys, levers, and simple gears leave a lot of kinetic energy in the large mass when it reaches the ground.
Is there some clever mechanism that optimally transfers the energy to the small one? Ideally with some combination of levers and/or gears. (Hydraulic or Pneumatic as a last option)

 

[Compositepro]

Use the mass to tension a cable that accelerates your smaller mass like a bow string does to an arrow.

 

[drawoh]

With the potential energy of a large mass (for example 50 kg at 10 meters high) I want to accelerate a smaller mass (5-25 kg) upwards. I see that simple mechanisms like pulleys, levers, and simple gears leave a lot of kinetic energy in the large mass when it reaches the ground.

How fast should the 5-25kg mass accelerate, and what speed should it wind up at.

Your potential energy is weight times elevation. Your 50kg mass weighs around 500N. Your smaller mass will wind up with kinetic energy, which is mass times velocity squared divided by two.

 

[3DDave]

Trebuchets - The Hurl - Wiki

thehurl.wikidot.com

 

[Fernando137]

Trebuchets - The Hurl - Wiki

thehurl.wikidot.com

Aha, nice page. With some of those trebuchet variants it seems like they are trying to optimize what I was saying.
Although some machines will be difficult to analyze