What are gears ?

 Gears are toothed wheels used in combination to

transmit motion and power
 Gears are used to transfer power
 from one axis to another
 with a change of direction
 with a change of speed
(typically speed reducer)
 with a change of torque
(typically torque increaser)

2
 Why are gears necessary?

 Electric Motors (AC) run at specified speeds (3600, 2400, 1800 rpms)
 Machines run at speeds normally MUCH less than the electric motors
 Gears reduce the speed of the motor to match the machine
 The resulting speed reduction increases “torque” which is the Power to do the work
 The increase is torque has to be transmitted through the strength of the :
1) gear teeth
2) coupling
3) shafts
4) bearings
 All gears take the input rotational speed and change to “usable” speed and in the direction
of the machine being driven
 Sometimes gears are used to “Increase” the speed for compressors or turbo-machinery

3
Market Trends: Gear Box Design

 Gear boxes (and oils) are forced to withstand increasingly tough operating conditions
due to:
 Trend toward more compact units
 Severe operating conditions and temperatures
 Higher performance expectations (downtime unacceptable)
 This leads to:
 Increased operating temps
 Increased loads and pressures
 Increased exposure to water and other contaminants
 All this is in direct contradiction to what the customer actually wants
ie extended gear box life, extended oil life and greater gear box efficiency

Therefore, the focus on the gear box oil is higher than ever!