Dynamic Behavior of Gear Systems and Variation of Coefficient of Friction and Efficiency During the Engagement Cycle

In this work, the instantaneous and average efficiency and coefficient of friction of gear drives operating at low, medium, and moderately high speeds were experimentally and analytically investigated. First, using the gear testing machine specially designed for this type of investigation, the frictional losses in gearing during the engagement period were obtained experimentally. Based upon the obtained data, the values of efficiency and coefficient of friction were evaluated. A mathematical model simulating the gear testing machine was then developed and employed for the analysis of the dynamic behavior of the gear train system and analytical evaluation of gear system efficiency. The results obtained from this model were compared to those obtained directly from experiments, and a close correlation was achieved. The influence of such factors as diametral pitch, contact ratio, magnitude of transmitted load, and speed upon the efficiency of gear drives and the coefficient of friction in gearing was investigated. This investigation showed that the suggested method may be used to predict the dynamic behavior and efficiency of gear systems if a coefficient of friction is known or assumed. This investigation also gives some promise for power gear transmission design with improved capacity when scoring is the limiting criterion for capacity.