ME 2213

Dynamics and Kinematics of Machineries

Credit: 3.00
Department of Energy Science and Engineering

Gear Train

Karib Hassan Khan

Lecturer
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET)
Khulna-9203, Bangladesh
Email: Karibhk@me.kuet.ac.bd
 Gear Train
❑ Sometimes, two or more gears are made to mesh with each other to transmit power from one shaft to
another. Such a combination is called gear train or train of toothed wheels. The nature of the train used
depends upon the velocity ratio required and the relative position of the axes of shafts. A gear train may
consist of spur, bevel or spiral gears.

➢ There are the different types of gear trains, depending upon the arrangement of wheels:
✓ Simple gear train,
✓ Compound gear train,
✓ Reverted gear train
✓ Epicyclic gear train.

➢ In the first three types of gear trains, the axes of the shafts over which the gears are mounted are fixed relative
to each other. But in case of epicyclic gear trains, the axes of the shafts on which the gears are mounted may
move relative to a fixed axis.
 Simple Gear Train
➢ When there is only one gear on each shaft, as shown in Fig., it is known as simple gear train. The gears
are represented by their pitch circles.
When the distance between the two shafts is small, the two gears 1 and 2 are made to mesh with each other to
transmit motion from one shaft to the other, as shown in Fig. 13.1. Since the gear 1 drives the gear 2, therefore gear
1 is called the driver and the gear 2 is called the driven or follower. It may be noted that the motion of the driven gear
is opposite to the motion of driving gear.
 Simple Gear Train
Since the speed ratio (or velocity ratio) of gear train is the ratio of the speed of the driver to the speed of the
driven or follower and ratio of speeds of any pair of gears in mesh is the inverse of their number of teeth,
therefore

It may be noted that ratio of the speed of the driven or follower to the speed of the driver is known as train
value of the gear train. Mathematically,

➢ From above, we see that the train value is the reciprocal of speed ratio.
➢ Sometimes, the distance between the two gears is large. The motion from one gear to another, in such a case,
may be transmitted by either of the following two methods: 1. By providing the large sized gear, or 2. By providing
one or more intermediate gears. A little consideration will show that the former method (i.e. providing large sized
gears) is very inconvenient and uneconomical method; whereas the latter method (i.e. providing one or more
intermediate gear) is very convenient and economical.
➢ It may be noted that when the number of intermediate gears are odd, the motion of both the gears (i.e.
driver and driven or follower) is like as shown in Fig.(b). But if the number of intermediate gears are
even, the motion of the driven or follower will be in the opposite direction of the driver as shown in
Fig.(c)
 Simple Gear Train
Now consider a simple train of gears with one intermediate gear as shown in Fig.(b).

Since the driving gear 1 is in mesh with the intermediate gear 2, therefore speed ratio for these two gears is

Similarly, as the intermediate gear 2 is in mesh with the driven gear 3, therefore speed ratio for these two gears is
 Simple Gear Train
The speed ratio of the gear train as shown in Fig. 13.1 (b) is obtained by multiplying the equations (i) and (ii).

➢ Similarly, it can be proved that the above equation holds good even if there are any number of intermediate
gears. From above, we see that the speed ratio and the train value, in a simple train of gears, is independent of
the size and number of intermediate gears.

➢ These intermediate gears are called idle gears, as they do not effect the speed ratio or train value of the
system. The idle gears are used for the following two purposes:
✓ To connect gears where a large centre distance is required, and
✓ To obtain the desired direction of motion of the driven gear (i.e. clockwise or anticlockwise).
 Compound Gear Train
➢ When there are more than one gear on a shaft, as shown in
Fig., it is called a compound train of gear.
➢ The idle gears, in a simple train of gears do not effect the
speed ratio of the system. But these gears are useful in
bridging over the space between the driver and the driven. But
whenever the distance between the driver and the driven or
follower has to be bridged over by intermediate gears and at
the same time a great (or much less) speed ratio is required,
then the advantage of intermediate gears is intensified by
providing compound gears on intermediate shafts. In this case,
each intermediate shaft has two gears rigidly fixed to it so that
they may have the same speed. One of these two gears
meshes with the driver and the other with the driven or follower
attached to the next shaft as shown in Fig.
➢ In a compound train of gears, as shown in Fig., the gear 1 is
the driving gear mounted on shaft A, gears 2 and 3 are
compound gears which are mounted on shaft B. The gears 4
and 5 are also compound gears which are mounted on shaft C
and the gear 6 is the driven gear mounted on shaft D.
 Compound Gear Train

Since gear 1 is in mesh with gear 2, therefore its speed ratio is

Similarly, for gears 3 and 4, speed ratio is

and for gears 5 and 6, speed ratio is

The speed ratio of compound gear train is obtained by multiplying the equations (i), (ii) and (iii),

Since gears 2 and 3 are mounted on one shaft B, therefore N2 = N3. Similarly gears 4 and 5 are mounted on shaft C,
therefore N4 = N5.
 Compound Gear Train
So,

➢ The advantage of a compound train over a simple gear train is that a much larger speed reduction from the first
shaft to the last shaft can be obtained with small gears. If a simple gear train is used to give a large speed
reduction, the last gear has to be very large. Usually for a speed reduction in excess of 7 to 1, a simple train is
not used and a compound train or worm gearing is employed.

➢ The gears which mesh must have the same circular pitch or module. Thus gears 1 and 2 must have the
same module as they mesh together. Similarly gears 3 and 4, and gears 5 and 6 must have the same
module.
Gear Train
Gear Train
 Design of Spur Gears
Sometimes, the spur gears (i.e. driver and driven) are to be designed for the given velocity ratio and distance
between the centres of their shafts.

We know that the distance between the centres of two shafts,

and speed ratio or velocity ratio,

From the above equations, we can conveniently find out the values of d1 and d2 (or T1 and T2) and the circular pitch
(pc). The values of T1 and T2, as obtained above, may or may not be whole numbers. But in a gear since the
number of its teeth is always a whole number, therefore a slight alterations must be made in the values of x, d1 and
d2, so that the number of teeth in the two gears may be a complete number.
 Problems
➢ Problem-1:
The gearing of a machine tool is shown in Fig. The motor shaft is
connected to gear A and rotates at 975 r.p.m. The gear wheels B, C, D
and E are fixed to parallel shafts rotating together. The final gear F is
fixed on the output shaft. What is the speed of gear F ? The number of
teeth on each gear are as given below:

➢ Problem-2:
Two parallel shafts, about 600 mm apart are to be connected by spur gears. One shaft is to run at 360 r.p.m. and
the other at 120 r.p.m. Design the gears, if the circular pitch is to be 25 mm.
 Reverted Gear Train
When the axes of the first gear (i.e. first driver) and the last gear
(i.e. last driven or follower) are co-axial, then the gear train is
known as reverted gear train as shown in Fig.
We see that gear 1 (i.e. first driver) drives the gear 2 (i.e. first driven
or follower) in the opposite direction. Since the gears 2 and 3 are
mounted on the same shaft, therefore they form a compound gear
and the gear 3 will rotate in the same direction as that of gear 2. The
gear 3 (which is now the second driver) drives the gear 4 (i.e. the last
driven or follower) in the same direction as that of gear 1. Thus we
see that in a reverted gear train, the motion of the first gear and the
last gear is like.
 Reverted Gear Train
Since the distance between the centres of the shafts of gears 1 and 2 as well as gears 3 and 4 is same, therefore

Also, the circular pitch or module of all the gears is assumed to be same, therefore number of teeth on each gear is
directly proportional to its circumference or radius.

So,

From equations (i), (ii) and (iii), we can determine the number of teeth on each gear for the given centre distance,
speed ratio and module only when the number of teeth on one gear is chosen arbitrarily.

✓ The reverted gear trains are used in automotive transmissions, lathe back gears, industrial speed reducers, and
in clocks (where the minute and hour hand shafts are co-axial).
 Problems
➢ Problem-3:
The speed ratio of the reverted gear train, as shown in Fig., is to be 12. The module pitch of gears A and B is 3.125
mm and of gears C and D is 2.5 mm. Calculate the suitable numbers of teeth for the gears. No gear is to have less
than 24 teeth.

➢ Self study: Exercise- 13.1, 13.2,13.3

 Epicyclic Gear Train
In an epicyclic gear train, the axes of the shafts, over which the gears are mounted, may move relative to a
fixed axis. A simple epicyclic gear train is shown in Fig., where a gear A and the arm C have a common axis
at O1 about which they can rotate. The gear B meshes with gear A and has its axis on the arm at O2 , about
which the gear B can rotate. If the arm is fixed, the gear train is simple and gear A can drive gear B or vice-
versa, but if gear A is fixed and the arm is rotated about the axis of gear A (i.e. O1), then the gear B is forced
to rotate upon and around gear A. Such a motion is called epicyclic and the gear trains arranged in such a
manner that one or more of their members move upon and around another member are known as epicyclic
gear trains (epi. means upon and cyclic means around). The epicyclic gear trains may be simple or
compound.

✓ The epicyclic gear trains are useful for transmitting high velocity
ratios with gears of moderate size in a comparatively lesser space.
The epicyclic gear trains are used in the back gear of lathe,
differential gears of the automobiles, hoists, pulley blocks, wrist
watches etc.
 Velocity Ratioz of Epicyclic Gear Train
The following two methods may be used for finding out the velocity ratio of an epicyclic gear train.
1. Tabular method: Consider an epicyclic gear train as shown in Fig.

➢ First of all, let us suppose that the arm is fixed. Therefore the axes of both the
gears are also fixed relative to each other. When the gear A makes one
revolution anticlockwise, the gear B will make TA / TB revolutions, clockwise
(We know that NB/NA = TA /TB. Since NA = 1 revolution, therefore NB = TA / TB).
Assuming the anticlockwise rotation as positive and clockwise as negative,
we may say that when gear A makes +1 revolution, then the gear B will make
(–TA / TB) revolutions. This statement of relative motion is entered in the first
row of the table.
➢ Secondly, if the gear A makes + x revolutions, then the gear B will make – x × TA / TB revolutions. This statement
is entered in the second row of the table. In other words, multiply the each motion (entered in the first row) by x.
➢ Thirdly, each element of an epicyclic train is given + y revolutions and entered in the third row. Finally, the motion
of each element of the gear train is added up and entered in the fourth row
 Velocity Ratioz of Epicyclic Gear Train
Table: Table of motions

✓ A little consideration will show that when two conditions about the motion of rotation of any two elements are
known, then the unknown speed of the third element may be obtained by substituting the given data in the third
column of the fourth row.
 Velocity Ratioz of Epicyclic Gear Train
2. Algebraic method: In this method, the motion of each element of the epicyclic train relative to the arm is set
down in the form of equations. The number of equations depends upon the number of elements in the gear train.
But the two conditions are, usually, supplied in any epicyclic train viz. some element is fixed and the other has
specified motion. These two conditions are sufficient to solve all the equations; and hence to determine the motion
of any element in the epicyclic gear train.
➢ Let, the arm C be fixed in an epicyclic gear train as shown in Fig. Therefore speed of the gear A relative to the
arm C = NA – NC
and speed of the gear B relative to the arm C, = NB – NC
➢ Since the gears A and B are meshing directly, therefore they will revolve in opposite directions.

∴
➢ Since the arm C is fixed, therefore its speed, NC = 0.

➢ If the gear A is fixed, then NA = 0.

∴
 Problems
➢ Problem-4:
In a reverted epicyclic gear train, the arm A carries two gears B and C and a compound gear D - E. The gear B
meshes with gear E and the gear C meshes with gear D. The number of teeth on gears B, C and D are 75, 30 and
90 respectively. Find the speed and direction of gear C when gear B is fixed and the arm A makes 100 r.p.m.
clockwise.
 Compound Epicyclic Gear Train
(Sun and Planet Gear)
A compound epicyclic gear train is shown in Fig. It
consists of two co-axial shafts S1 and S2, an
annulus gear A which is fixed, the compound gear
(or planet gear) B-C, the sun gear D and the arm
H. The annulus gear has internal teeth and the
compound gear is carried by the arm and revolves
freely on a pin of the arm H. The sun gear is co-
axial with the annulus gear and the arm but
independent of them.
The annulus gear A meshes with the gear B and
the sun gear D meshes with the gear C. It may be
noted that when the annulus gear is fixed, the sun
gear provides the drive and when the sun gear is
fixed, the annulus gear provides the drive. In both
cases, the arm acts as a follower.

➢ The gear at the centre is called the sun gear and the gears whose axes move are called planet gears.
 Compound Epicyclic Gear Train
(Sun and Planet Gear)
➢ Let TA, TB, TC, and TD be the teeth and NA, NB, NC and ND be the speeds for the gears A, B, C and D respectively.
A little consideration will show that when the arm is fixed and the sun gear D is turned anticlockwise, then the
compound gear B-C and the annulus gear A will rotate in the clockwise direction.

✓ If the annulus gear A is rotated through one revolution anticlockwise with the arm fixed, then the compound gear
rotates through TA/TB revolutions in the same sense and the sun gear D rotates through TA/TB × TC/TD revolutions
in clockwise direction.
 Problems
➢ Problem-5:
An epicyclic gear consists of three gears A, B and C as shown in Fig. The gear A has 72 internal teeth and gear C
has 32 external teeth. The gear B meshes with both A and C and is carried on an arm EF which rotates about the
centre of A at 18 r.p.m. If the gear A is fixed, determine the speed of gears B and C.
 Problems
➢ Problem-6:
An epicyclic train of gears is arranged as shown in Fig. How many revolutions does the arm, to which the pinions B
and C are attached, make: 1. when A makes one revolution clockwise and D makes half a revolution anticlockwise,
and 2. when A makes one revolution clockwise and D is stationary ? The number of teeth on the gears A and D are
40 and 90 respectively.
 Problems
➢ Problem-7:
In an epicyclic gear of the ‘sun and planet’ type shown in Fig., the pitch circle diameter of the internally toothed ring is
to be 224 mm and the module 4 mm. When the ring D is stationary, the spider A, which carries three planet wheels C
of equal size, is to make one revolution in the same sense as the sunwheel B for every five revolutions of the driving
spindle carrying the sunwheel B. Determine suitable numbers of teeth for all the wheels.
 Problems
➢ Problem-8:
In an epicyclic gear train, the internal wheels A and B and compound wheels C and D rotate independently about
axis O. The wheels E and F rotate on pins fixed to the arm G. E gears with A and C and F gears with B and D. All the
wheels have the same module and the number of teeth are: TC = 28; TD = 26; TE = TF = 18.
1. Sketch the arrangement ; 2. Find the number of teeth on A and B ; 3. If the arm G makes 100 r.p.m. clockwise and
A is fixed, find the speed of B ; and 4. If the arm G makes 100 r.p.m. clockwise and wheel A makes 10 r.p.m. counter
clockwise; find the speed of wheel B.
 Problems
➢ Problem-9:
Two shafts A and B are co-axial. A gear C (50 teeth) is rigidly mounted on shaft A. A compound gear D-E gears with
C and an internal gear G. D has 20 teeth and gears with C and E has 35 teeth and gears with an internal gear G.
The gear G is fixed and is concentric with the shaft axis. The compound gear D-E is mounted on a pin which
projects from an arm keyed to the shaft B. Sketch the arrangement and find the number of teeth on internal gear G
assuming that all gears have the same module. If the shaft A rotates at 110 r.p.m., find the speed of shaft B.
 Problems
➢ Problem-9:
Two shafts A and B are co-axial. A gear C (50 teeth) is rigidly mounted on shaft A. A compound gear D-E gears with
C and an internal gear G. D has 20 teeth and gears with C and E has 35 teeth and gears with an internal gear G.
The gear G is fixed and is concentric with the shaft axis. The compound gear D-E is mounted on a pin which
projects from an arm keyed to the shaft B. Sketch the arrangement and find the number of teeth on internal gear G
assuming that all gears have the same module. If the shaft A rotates at 110 r.p.m., find the speed of shaft B.
 Problems
➢ Problem-10:
An epicyclic gear train consists of a sun wheel S, a stationary internal gear E and three identical planet wheels P
carried on a star- shaped planet carrier C. The size of different toothed wheels are such that the planet carrier C
rotates at 1/5th of the speed of the sunwheel S. The minimum number of teeth on any wheel is 16. The driving
torque on the sun wheel is 100 N-m. Determine: 1. Number of teeth on different wheels of the train, and 2. torque
necessary to keep the internal gear stationary.
 Problems
➢ Problem-11:
Fig. shows an epicyclic gear train. Pinion A has 15 teeth and is rigidly fixed to the motor shaft. The wheel B has 20
teeth and gears with A and also with the annular fixed wheel E. Pinion C has 15 teeth and is integral with B (B, C
being a compound gear wheel). Gear C meshes with annular wheel D, which is keyed to the machine shaft. The arm
rotates about the same shaft on which A is fixed and carries the compound wheel B, C. If the motor runs at 1000
r.p.m., find the speed of the machine shaft. Find the torque exerted on the machine shaft, if the motor develops a
torque of 100 N-m.

➢ Self study: Example- 13.12 Exercise- 13.4, 13.5,13.6, 13.8, 13.19

 Assignment
➢ Problem-12:
Fig. shows diagrammatically a compound epicyclic gear train. Wheels A , D and E are
free to rotate independently on spindle O, while B and C are compound and rotate
together on spindle P, on the end of arm OP. All the teeth on different wheels have the
same module. A has 12 teeth, B has 30 teeth and C has 14 teeth cut externally. Find the
number of teeth on wheels D and E which are cut internally. If the wheel A is driven
clockwise at 1 r.p.s. while D is driven counter clockwise at 5 r.p.s., determine the
magnitude and direction of the angular velocities of arm OP and wheel E.

➢ Problem-13:
In an epicyclic gear train of the ‘sun and planet type’ as shown in Fig., the pitch circle
diameter of the internally toothed ring D is to be 216 mm and the module 4 mm. When
the ring D is stationary, the spider A, which carries three planet wheels C of equal size, is
to make one revolution in the same sense as the sun wheel B for every five revolutions
of the driving spindle carrying the sunwheel B. Determine suitable number of teeth for all
the wheels and the exact diameter of pitch circle of the ring.
 Assignment
➢ Problem-14:
A compound epicyclic gear is shown diagrammatically in Fig. The gears A, D and E
are free to rotate on the axis P. The compound gear B and C rotate together on the
axis Q at the end of arm F. All the gears have equal pitch. The number of external
teeth on the gears A, B and C are 17, 45 and 21 (for odd roll numbers) respectively
(for even roll numbers: 18, 46 and 20 respectively). The gears D and E are annular
gears. The gear A rotates at 100 r.p.m. in the anticlockwise direction and the gear D
rotates at (multiply your roll number (only last 2 digits) with 30) r.p.m. clockwise. Find
the speed and direction of the arm and the gear E.
Thank You