Influence of thermal distortion on load distribution, transmission error and premature contact

Abstract

The influence of thermally-induced geometry distortions on representative gear parameters such as load distribution or transmission error is analysed. An analytical load distribution model is coupled to a thermal lumped-parameter network to compute temperature gradients in dip-lubricated cylindrical gears meshing with variable operating conditions and immersion depths. Geometry distortion is computed from steady-state temperature distribution and profile deviations are introduced back in the load distribution model to analyse its influence on parameters such as contact/root stresses or transmission error among others. The results are expected to give a first insight on the significance of thermal distortion on gear mesh.