Solutions to Chapter 12 Exercise Problems

Problem 12.1

Find the angular velocity of gear 8 if the angular velocity of gear 2 is 800 rpm in the direction
shown.

5 7
8
4 6

15T 18T
2 25T
33T
44T 48T

18T
ω2

Solution:

The velocity ratio for the gear train is given by

8 = N2 N4 N6 N7 = 18 15 18 25 = 0.0697

2 N3 N5 N7 N8 44 33 25 48

Therefore,
N2 N4 N6 N7 = 800(0.0697) = 55.78 rpm CCW

8 =
2
N3 N5 N7 N8

Problem 12.2

Find the velocity of gear 8 in Problem 12.1 if the angular velocity of the driver (gear 2) is 300 rpm
in the clockwise direction.

Solution:

The velocity ratio for the gear train is given by

8 = N2 N4 N6 N7 = 18 15 18 25 = 0.0697

2 N3 N5 N7 N8 44 33 25 48

Therefore,

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8 =
2 N2 N4 N6 N7 = 300(0.0697) = 20.92 rpm CW
N3 N5 N7 N8

Problem 12.3

The gear train given is for a machine tool. Power is input to the gear box through the pulley
indicated, and the output power to the machine table is through gear 13. Gears 2 and 3, 4 and 5, and
11 and 12 are compound gears that can move axially on splined shafts to mesh with various
different gears so that various combinations of overall gear ratios (
1 3 /
2 ) can be produced.
Determine the number of ratios possible and the overall gear ratio for each possibility.

34T
22T 5 6
7 11 46T
17T 4 25T
39T 12 32T
Stop 8
Stop
9
23T 3 33T 26T
13 Output Gear
26T 2
10
30T
V-Belt Pulley

Solution:

The possible meshes between the first and second shafts (counting from the left) are:

a) Gear 2 with gear 10

b) Gear 3 with gear 9

c) Gear 4 with gear 8

d) Gear 5 with gear 6

The possible meshes between the second and third shafts (counting from the left) are:

e) Gear 7 with gear 11

f) Gear 8 with gear 12

The number of combinations is given by

n = 4(2) = 8

The different meshes and gear ratios are given in the following table.

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 Table 1: Different cases for transmission

Case Meshes Gear Ratio Gear Ratio Value

N2 N7 26 25 = 0.471
1 a, e
N10 N11 30 46

N2 N8 26 39 = 1.056
2 a, f
N10 N12 30 32

N3 N7 23 25 = 0.379
3 b, e
N9 N11 33 46

N3 N8 23 39 = 0.849
4 b, f
N9 N12 33 32

N4 N7 17 25 = 0.237
5 c, e
N8 N11 39 46

N4 N8 17 39 = 0.531
6 c, f
N8 N12 39 32

N5 N7 22 25 = 0.351
7 d, e
N6 N11 34 46

N5 N8 22 39 = 0.789
8 d, f
N6 N12 34 32

Problem 12.4
A simple three-speed transmission is shown. The power flow is as follows: (a) first gear: gear 4 is
shifted to mesh with gear 7; power flows through gears 2, 5, 7, 4. (b) Second gear: gear 3 is shifted
to mesh with gear 6; power flows through gears 2,5,6,3. (c) Third gear: gear 3 is shifted so that the
clutch teeth on gear 3 mesh with those on gear 2; a direct drive results. (d) Reverse gear: gear 4 is
shifted to mesh with gear 9; power flows through gears 2, 5, 8, 9, 4. An automobile with this
transmission has a differential ratio of 3:1 and a tire outside diameter of 24 in. Determine the
engine speed for the car under the following conditions: (i) first gear and the automobile is traveling
at 15 mph; (ii) third gear and the automobile is traveling at 55 mph; (iii) reverse gear and the
automobile is traveling at 3.5 mph.

Clutch
26T
21T
15T 4
To Engine 3 To Wheels 4
2

5 6
7 9 14T
13T 8
30T 19T
24T

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Solution:

Case 1: First gear and automobile traveling at 15 mph. In this gear, the speed ratio is

 2 = N5 N4 3 = (
1)2 30 26 3 = 8.196
 4 N2 N7 1 15 19 1

If the wheel radius is 1 ft, the wheel angular velocity is

15mph 5280ft 1hr 1rev

w = v = = 210 rpm
r 1ft 1mile 60 min 2
rad

Therefore, the engine speed must be

e =
w N5 N4 3 = 8.196(210) = 1721rpm
N2 N7 1

Case 2: Third gear and automobile traveling at 55 mph. In this gear, the speed ratio is

2 = 1

4

If the wheel radius is 1 ft, the wheel angular velocity is

55mph 5280ft 1hr 1rev

w = v = = 770.3 rpm
r 1 ft 1mile 60 min 2
rad

Therefore, the engine speed must be

e = 3
w =(3)770.3 = 2311rpm
1
Case 3: Reverse gear and automobile traveling at 3.5 mph. In this gear, the speed ratio is

 e = w N5 N9 N4 3 = (
1)3 30 14 25 3 =
w11.54 rpm

N2 N8 N9 1 15 13 14 1

If the wheel radius is 1 ft, the wheel angular velocity is

3.5mph 5280ft 1 hr 1rev

w = v = = 49.02 rpm
r 1 ft 1mile 60 min 2
rad

Therefore, the engine speed must be

e =
w N5 N9 N4 3 = 49.02(11.54) = 565.7 rpm

N2 N8 N9 1

Problem 12.5

Part of the gear train for a machine tool is shown. Compound gears 2 and 3 slide on a splined shaft
so that gear 3 can mesh with gear 4 or gear 2 can mesh with gear 6. Also, compound gears 14 and

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 N6 = 46
and
N2 = 10

The actual output speed would be

N N N N N N
( 6 7 9 11 13 16
)

o =
i N2 N5 N8 N10 N12 N14 = 1800 10 23 39 23 40 68 = 132.95 rpm
(
46 48 40 34 46 55 )
This is within the allowable limits; however, the small number of teeth on gear 2 is likely to result in
undercutting unless helical gears are used.

Problem 12.6

An internal gear having 160 teeth and rotating counterclockwise at 30 rpm is connected through a
gear train to an external gear, which rotates at 120 rpm in the counterclockwise direction. Using the
minimum number of gears, select gears from the following list that will satisfy the design
requirements. Tooth numbers for the available gears are 20, 22, 25, 30, 32, 34, 35, 40, 50, 55, 60,
and 64. There is only one gear with each tooth number, and each gear has the same diametral pitch.

Solution:

The simplest gear train which will satisfy the design requirements is shown below. The idler gear (
gear 6) may be any of the gears available. For example, we can use N6 = 30.

N2

5 N5 5
3 2 6
N6 6
3 4
2
N3 4 N 4

The angular velocity ratio for the gear train is:

5 = N2 N4

2 ( )( )
N3 N5

For the values given,

( N1 )( NN ) = N1


3
4
5 2
5
2
= 1 120 = 0.025
160 30

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We must therefore look for different combinations of tooth numbers from the set given to satisfy
this requirement. This can be done directly or a simple program can be written to consideration all
possible combinations. Such a MATLAB program is given below.

% Problem 12.6

N=[20, 22, 25, 30, 32, 34, 35, 40, 50, 55, 60, 64]

for i=1:1:12
N4=N(i);
for j=1:1:12
N3=N(j);
for k=1:1:12
N5=N(k);
if (N4~= N3) & (N4~=N5) & (N3~= N5)
product = N4/(N3*N5);
if product == 0.025
[product, N4, N3, N5]
end
end
end
end
end

The results from the program are five sets of tooth numbers:

N4 = 32, N3 = 64, and N5 = 20

N4 = 40, N3 = 25, and N5 = 64
N4 = 40, N3 = 32, and N5 = 50
N4 = 40, N3 = 50, and N5 = 32
N4 = 40, N3 = 64, and N5 = 25

Any of the sets will satisfy the requirements of the problem.

Problem 12.7

Resolve Problem 12.6 if the external gear is concentric with the internal gear (the rotation axis is the
same for both gears) and the external gear rotates clockwise.

Solution:

For a concentric gear box, the shaft of gear 5 must be concentric with that of gear 2. If the axis of
rotation is to be the same for both gears, we can easily make the gear box a concentric gear box by
using the same tooth numbers as were determined in Problem 12.6 but locating the output shaft to
be concentric with the input shaft.

We can use this simple solution because N2
N3 > N4 + N5 . Because all of the gears have the
same diametral pitch, d2
d3 > d4 + d5 . This arrangement is shown in below.

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 % Problem 12.12

P=[1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75,2,2.5,3,3.5,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,...

24,28,32,36,40,44,48,52,56];

N2=20;
N3=30;
rat=1/6.5;
fact=rat*N3/N2;
for i=1:1:26
Pd2=P(i);
for j=1:1:26
Pd4=P(j);
for k=15:1:200
N4=k;
N5=N4/fact;
N4T=(N2+N3)/(1+1/fact)*(Pd4/Pd2);
if abs(N4T-N4)<0.1 & fix(N5)==N5 & Pd4<2.0*Pd2
[N4,N5,Pd2, Pd4]
end
end
end
end

The following 4 sets of values are returned by the program.

N4 N5 Pd2 Pd4

15 65 1.25 2
15 65 2.5 4
15 65 10 16
15 65 20 32

Other solutions can be obtained if we allow the diametral pitches to vary more relative to each other.
The final selection can be made based on considerations other than kinematics. In particular,
power requirements need to be considered.

Problem 12.13

The gear train shown is a candidate for the spindle drive of a gear hobbing machine. The gear
blank and the worm gear (gear 10) are mounted on the same shaft and rotate together. If the gear
blank is to be driven clockwise, determine the hand of the hob. Also determine the velocity ratio
(
8 /
6 ) to cut 72 teeth on the gear blank.

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 Gear Blank

(42T) Hob With

Single Tooth
Right-Handed Single Tooth Worm 10

8
9

Idler Gear (36T)

(16T) 2
4
7 To Motor
(16T) 3
6

5 (36T)

Solution:

To determine the hand for the hob, start from gear 10 and determine the direction of rotation of gear
2. This is as shown in the Fig. P12.13. From the figure, the hob must be left handed.

Gear blank

(42T) Hob with

single
Right-handed single tooth worm 10 tooth

8
9

Idler gear (36T)

(16T) 2
4
7 To motor
(16T) 3

6
5 (36T)

Fig. P12.13

For the velocity analysis, treat gear 10 (and the worm blank) as the input and assume that its angular
velocity is 1 rpm. Then the hob and gear 2 must rotate at 72 rpm. Then,

2 = N10 N8 N5 N3 = 72

10 ( )( )( )( )
N9 N6 N4 N2 1

Substituting the known values for the tooth numbers,

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 ( 421)( NN )(3616 )(1636) = 72
8
6
or
( NN ) = 7242 = 1.7143
8
6

Because,

(

) = ( NN ) = 1.7143
6
8
8
6
Then,
(

) = 0.5833
8
6

Problem 12.14

Assume that the input shaft of a transmission rotates clockwise at 1800 rpm. The output shaft is
driven at 160 rpm in the counterclockwise direction. None of the gears in the transmission is to be
an idler, and the gear ratio at any given mesh is not to exceed 3:1. Gears are available that have all
tooth numbers between 13 and 85; however, only one gear is available with each tooth number.
Select the appropriate gears for the transmission, and sketch the configuration designed. Label the
gears and tooth numbers.

Solution:

The transmission ration is (1800/160) or 11.25. If no mesh ratio can exceed three, we need to have
at least three gear meshes. Because the angular velocity ratio changes sign at each gear mesh, we
can solve this problem with three gear meshes. A schematic of the solution is shown in Fig. P12.14
.

5
2
6
3 7
4

Fig. P12.14

From the transmission ratio,

2 = N3 N5 N6 = 1800 = 45

7 ( )( )( )
N2 N4 N7 160 4

We must select different values for the gear tooth numbers to determine the combinations which
will work. Again, it is convenient to do this with a computer program which can check all possible
combinations of gears. A MATLAB program for doing this is given in the following.

% Problem 12.14

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 end

The results are given in the following. There are five gear sets identified by the program.

N2 N3 N2 / N3 Percent Error

40 19 2.1053 0.0065
59 28 2.1071 -0.0828
61 29 2.1034 0.0927
80 38 2.1053 0.0065
9 47 2.1064 -0.0467

Two gear sets have the lowest error which is 0.0065 percent.

Problem 12.22

In the gear train shown, gears 3 and 4 are integral. Gear 3 meshes with gear 2, and gear 4 meshes
with gear 5. If gear 2 is fixed and
5 = 100 rpm counterclockwise, determine the angular velocity
of the carrier.

N2 = 60T
D
C N3 = 16T
N4 = 24T
N5 = 100T
2
4

Solution:

There are four gears (2, 3, 4, and 5) which can rotate about fixed axes in the system. We will
include gear 2 in this list but ultimately will use the fact that its velocity is zero. We will solve the
problem by writing relative velocity equations for all of the gears which have shafts that can rotate in
fixed bearings. After rearranging, the resulting equations are:
C 2 = 12
1 C (1)
C3 = 13
1C (2)
C4 = 1 4
1C (3)
and
C5 = 1 5
1C (4)

The angular velocity ratio of gears 2 and 5 relative to the carrier is

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 C2 N
C5 N4 ( )
= N5
N3 =
N5 N3
2 N4 N2
(5)

Now, divide Eq. (1) by Eq. (2) and equate the result with Eq. (5). This gives
12
1C
=
N5 N3 (6)
15
1C N4 N2

Equation (6) is the equation necessary for analyzing the planetary gear train. From the problem
statement, we know that 1
2 = 0 and 1
5 = 100. With these known values, only 1
C
in Eq. (6). Substituting the known values into Eq. (6) gives

0
1 C
=
100 16 =
10
100
1C 24 60 9

Solving gives
1
C = 52.63 rpm counter-clockwise

Problem 12.23

Resolve Problem 12.22 if gear 5 is fixed and
2 = 100 rpm counterclockwise.

Solution:

There are four gears (2, 3, 4, and 5) which can rotate about fixed axes in the system. We will
include gear 2 in this list but ultimately will use the fact that its velocity is zero. We will solve the
problem by writing relative velocity equations for all of the gears which have shafts that can rotate in
fixed bearings. After rearranging, the resulting equations are:
C 2 = 12
1 C (1)
C3 = 13
1C (2)
C4 = 1 4
1C (3)
and
C5 = 1 5
1C (4)

The angular velocity ratio of gears 2 and 5 relative to the carrier is

C2 N
C5 N4 ( )
= N5
N3 =
N5 N3
2 N4 N2
(5)

Now, divide Eq. (1) by Eq. (2) and equate the result with Eq. (5). This gives
12
1C
=
N5 N3 (6)
15
1C N4 N2

Equation (6) is the equation necessary for analyzing the planetary gear train. From the problem

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Problem 12.25

In the figure given, axis y-y is fixed while axes x-x and z-z move with the arm. Gear 7 is fixed to
the carrier. Gears 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 8 and 9 are fixed together, respectively. Gears 3 and 4
move with planetary motion. If the tooth numbers are N2 = 16T, N3 = 20T, N4 = 22T, N5 = 14T, N6
= 15T, N7 = 36T, N8 = 20T, N9 = 41T, and N1 0 = 97T, determine the speed and direction of the
output shaft.
10

x x
ω 7 = 1200 4 3
Output
y 2
5
Input 7 6

8
z z
9
10

Solution:
There are five gears (2, 5, 6, 7, and 10) which can rotate about fixed axes in the system. Again, we
will include the fixed ring gear in the equations and will set the velocity to zero once the equations
are developed. As in the previous examples, we will solve the problem by writing relative velocity
equations for all of the gears which have shafts that can rotate in fixed bearings. However, we must
separate the two stages of the planetary drives when we write the equations. The first stage includes
gears 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and the carrier. The second stage includes gears 2, 3, 4, and 5, and the
second carrier which is fixed to gear 7.

The first stage can be analyzed independently of the second stage to determine the velocity of gear 6
. The second stage can then be analyzed to determine the velocity of gear 2.

The first stage relative velocity equations are:

C7 = 1 7
1 C (1)
C6 = 1 6
1 C (2)
C10 = 110
1 C (3)

The angular velocity ratio of gears 6 and 7 relative to the first carrier is
C6 1 6
1 C
= = N7 N9 (4)
C7 1 7
1 C N8 N6

and the angular velocity ratio of gears 10 and 7 relative to the first carrier is

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 C10 110
1 C
= =
N7 N9 (5)
C7 1 7
1 C N8 N10

We are given that 1
10 = 0 and 1
7 = 1200 . We can therefore solve Eq. (5) for 1
C . Then,

0
1C
=
36 41 =
0.76082
1200
 C
1 20 97
or
1
C = 518.5

We can now solve Eq. (4). Substituting the known values,

16
518.5
= 36 41 = 4.92
1200
518.5 20 15
Then,
1
6 = 3871.5 = 1
5

We can now analyze the second stage in exactly the same manner as was done for the first stage
except that now the gears are 2, 3, 4, and 5, and the carrier is 7. The second stage relative velocity
equations are:
72 = 12
17
75 = 1 5
1 7

The angular velocity ratio of gears 2 and 5 relative to the carrier (member 7) is
72 1 2
17
= = N5 N3
7 5 15
17 N4 N2

Substituting the known values,

1 2
1200
= 14 20 = 0.79545
3871.5
1200 22 16

Solving for 1
2 gives

1
2 = 3325.0 rpm CCW (same direction as that of 1
7 )

Problem 12.26

Resolve Problem 12.25 when N2 = 16T, N3 = 20T, N4 = 16T, N5 = 20T, N6 = 15T, N7 = 40T, N8 =
15T, N9 = 40T, and N1 0 = 95T.

Solution:

There are five gears (2, 5, 6, 7, and 10) which can rotate about fixed axes in the system. Again, we
will include the fixed ring gear in the equations and will set the velocity to zero once the equations
are developed. As in the previous examples, we will solve the problem by writing relative velocity

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 0
1C
=
60 60 =
1.7778
1200
1 C 15 135
or
1
C = 768

We can now solve Eq. (4). Substituting the known values,

16
768
= 60 60 = 16
1200
768 15 15
Then,
1
6 = 7680 = 1
5

We can now analyze the second stage in exactly the same manner as was done for the first stage
except that now the gears are 2, 3, 4, and 5, and the carrier is 7. The second stage relative velocity
equations are:
72 = 12
17
75 = 1 5
1 7

The angular velocity ratio of gears 2 and 5 relative to the carrier (member 7) is
72 1
1
= 1 2 1 7 = N5 N3
7 5 5
7 N4 N2

Substituting the known values,

1 2
1200
= 30 30 = 4.5918
7680
1200 14 14

Solving for 1
2 gives

1
2 = 30,955 rpm CCW (same direction as that of 1
7 )

Problem 12.28

In the gear train shown, gears 2 and 4, 6 and 7, and 3 and 9 are fixed together. If the angular
velocity of the carrier is given, determine the angular velocity of gear 9.

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 5 6
ω C = 1000 rpm
2 N 2 = 20T
4 C 7 N 3 = 90T
Input N 4 = 30T
3 8 N 5 = 90T
N 6 = 50T
9 N 7 = 30T
N 8 = 20T
N 9 = 40T
Output
ω9

Solution:
There are six gears (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9) which can rotate about fixed axes in the system. As in
Examples 12.3 and 12.4, we will solve the problem by writing relative velocity equations for all of
the gears which have shafts that can rotate in fixed bearings. The resulting equations are:
1
4 = 1
2 (1)
1
6 = 1
7 (2)
1
3 = 1
9 (3)
1
4 = 1
C + C
4 (4)
and
1
6 = 1
C + C
6 (5)

The angular velocity ratios of the gears which have fixed centerlines can be related through the gear
numbers as follows

=
N3
12
(6)
13 N2
and
= N9 N8 = N9
1
7
(7)
1
9 N8 N7 N7

Also relative to the carrier,

C 4
=
N6 N5 =
N6 (8)
C6 N5 N4 N4

In Eq. (8), we determine the sign by inspection; namely, gear 4 rotates in the opposite direction to
that of gear 6 relative to the coupler.

Combining Eqs. (4), (6), and (7) gives

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 1 4
1C
=
N6 (9)
1 6
1C N4

From Eqs. (1-3), (6), (7),

1 4 = 1 2 =
1 3 N3
N2
and
1
6 = 1
7 = 1
9 N9 = 1
3 N9
N7 N7

Equation (9) can then be written as

N
1 4
1C
13 3
1C
=
N6 = N2
1 6
1C N4 13 N9
1 C
N7
or
N
N2 N4 ( N7 N4 )

1 3 N3
1 C =
N6 13 9
1 C =
13 N9 N6 + 1C N6
N7 N4
or
( NN NN
NN ) =  (1+ NN )
1 3 9
7
6
4
3
2
1 C 6
4
Finally,
(1+N ) 6

 =  N NN N
1 3 1 C 4

(N N
N )
9
7
6
4
3
2

For the values given in the problem,

13 = 1 9 = 1C
(1+ NN ) 6
4
(1+ 5030)
N6
N3 =1000 40 50
90 =
1170 rpm
( NN 9
7 N4 N2 ) (
30 30 20 )
The value is negative so 1
9 is rotating clockwise when viewed from the left.

Problem 12.29

Resolve Problem 12.28 if N2 = 10T, N3 = 100T, N7 = 20T, N8 = 10T and N9 = 70T.

Solution:

There are six gears (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9) which can rotate about fixed axes in the system. As in
Examples 12.3 and 12.4, we will solve the problem by writing relative velocity equations for all of
the gears which have shafts that can rotate in fixed bearings. The resulting equations are:
1
4 = 1
2 (1)

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