Velocity ratio in Gear Drives :

n1 d 2 z2
  , where n1  Speed of driving pulley,n2  Speed of driven pulley
n2 d1 z1
d1  Pitch circle diameter (PCD) of driver gear, d 2  PCD of of driven gear
z1  No of teeth on driver gear, z2  No of teeth on driven gear
Gear Trains
A gear train is an arrangement of two or more successively
meshing gears through which power can be transmitted between
the driving & driven shafts.
Train Value
Train value is the ratio of speed of the driven gear to that of the
driving gear. It is the reciprocal of the velocity ratio.
Direction of rotation
When gears mesh externally they rotate in the opposite direction
and when they mesh internally, they rotate in the same direction.
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Types of Gear Trains
A gear train may be broadly classified into the
following;
1. Simple Gear Train
2. Compound Gear Train
3. Reverted Gear Train
4. Epicyclic Gear Train

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

SIMPLE GEAR TRAIN • A simple gear train is one in which
each shaft carries only one gear.
• From the fig, gear A is the driving
gear and gear D is the driven gear.
A B C B & C are the intermediate gears or
Idler gears.
• The idler gears do not affect the
N  z 
Velocity ratio  A    C  velocity ratio but simply bridge the
 NC   z A  gap between the driver & the driven
A
gears.
• Also if odd number of intermediate
B
gears are used, the driver & the
driven gears rotate in the same
direction.
C
• If even number of intermediate
gears are used, the driver & the
driven gears rotate in the opposite
D directions.
N  z 
Velocity ratio  A    D 
 N D  Mech
Dr P R Venkatesh,  zDept,RVCE,B'lore
A 
 SIMPLE GEAR TRAIN ANIMATION

 N A   zB   NB   zC 
From the fig,    and also   
 NB   zA   NC   zB 
 N A   NB   z B   zC  NA   zC 
         =  
 N B   NC   z A   zB   NC  z
 A
 zA   30 
The speed of gear C, N C   × N A  N C    × 90 = 180 rpm.
z C  Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore 15
Dr PR Venkatesh, 
COMPOUND GEAR TRAIN • In a compound gear train the
intermediate shaft carries two
or more gears which are keyed
C
to it.
A
B D • Compound gears are used when
a high velocity ratio is required in
a limited space.
• The intermediate gears will have
an effect on the overall velocity
ratio.
N  z  N   zD 
From the fig,  A    B  and also  C  
 NB   zA   ND   zC 
N  N  z  z 
 A    C    B    D 
 N B   N D   z A   zC 
As gears B & C are on same shaft, N B  N C
 N A   z B zD 
  =  
N
 D  A z  z C 

Speed of first driver Product of no of teeth on driven gears

i.e. 
Speed of the last driven Product of no of teeth on driving gears
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
REVERTED GEAR TRAIN • A reverted gear train is a
compound gear train in
which the first & the last
D gears are on the same axis.
A
• Hence, in a reverted gear
train, the center distances
for the two gear pairs must
be same.
B
C • Reverted gear trains are
used in automotive
transmissions, lathe back
gears, and in clocks.
 d A  d B   dC  d D 
As   ,
 2   2 
But d=mz, and the module 'm' is same for all gears,
 z A  zB  zC  zD Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
EPICYCLIC GEAR TRAIN • An epicyclic gear train is
one in which the axis of one
or more gears moves
relative to the frame.
• Large speed reductions are
obtained with an epicyclic
train.
• They are compact in size
and automobile differential.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Problem 1
A simple train of wheels consists of successively
engaging three wheels having number of teeth
40, 50 & 70 respectively. Find its velocity ratio. If
the driving wheel having 40 teeth runs at 210
rpm clockwise, find the speed of the driven
wheel and its direction of rotation.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 210 Rpm

A B C

40 T
50 T
70 T

 NB   zA   NC   zB 
From the fig,    and also   
 N A   zB   NB   zC 
 N B   NC   z A   zB   NC   zA 
         =  
 N A   NB   z B   zC  NA   zC 
 zA   40 
The speed of gear C, N C   × N A  N C    × 210 = 120 rpm.
 zC   70 
As there are odd number of idler gears, the driven gear rotates at 120
rpm clockwise. (i.e. sameDras
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
that of driving gear)
 Problem 2
In a simple gear train consists of four wheels
having number of teeth 30, 40, 50 & 60 teeth
respectively. Determine the speed and the
direction of rotation of the last gear if the first
makes 600 rpm, clockwise.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 600 Rpm

A B C D

30 T
40 T
50 T 60 T

 ND   z A   zB   zC 
From the fig,       
 NA   z B   zC   zD 
 ND   zA 
  =  
NA   zD 
 zA   30 
The speed of gear D, N D   × N A  N C    × 600 = 300 rpm.
 zD   60 

As there are even number of idler gears, the driven gear rotates at 300
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
rpm counter clockwise. (i.e. opposite to that of driving gear)
 Problem 3
A compound gear train consists of 4 gears, A, B, C
& D and they have 20, 30, 40 & 60 teeth
respectively. A is keyed to the driving shaft, and D
is keyed to the driven shaft, B & C are compound
gears. B meshes with A & C meshes with D. If A
rotates at 180 rpm, find the rpm of D.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 40T
20T 60T
30T

A
B

D
C

 NB   zA   ND   zC 
From the fig,    and also   
 N A   zB   NC   zD 
 N B   N D   z A   zC 
      
 N A   NC   zB   zD 
As gears B & C are on same shaft, N B  N C
 N D   z A  zC 
  =  
N
 A  B z  z D 

 20  40 
N D    180 = 80 RPM
 30 60  Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 4
Fig shows a train of gears from the spindle of a lathe to
the lead screw used for cutting a screw thread of a
certain pitch. If the spindle speed is 150 rpm, what is the
lead screw speed? Gears 2 & 3 form a compound gear.

75 T
Lead screw
20T 50 T
Spindle
25 T
1
2 3
4

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 75 T
Lead screw
20T 50 T
Spindle
25 T
1
2 3
4

From the fig, velocity ratio

 Speed of the driven shaft   Product of the no of teeth on driver 
  
 Speed of the driving shaft   Product of the no of teeth on driven 
 N 4   z1  z 3 
 =   As N1 = 150rpm,
 N1   z 2  z 4 
 20  25 
N 4    150 = 20 RPM
 75  50 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 5
Fig shows a reverted gear train used in a lathe
headstock. If the motor runs at 1200 rpm, find the speed
of the spindle.
100 T
60 T
2
3

Motor Shaft Spindle

1
4
50 T
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 100 T
60 T
2
3

Motor Shaft Spindle

1
4
50 T

As the center distance between the shafts is same,

 d1  d 2   d 3  d 4 
     d1  d 2  =  d 3  d 4 
 2   2 
d 
The circular pitch =   = m  d  mz where 'm' is known as module.
 z 
For two gears in mesh, circular pitch and hence the module is same.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 100 T
60 T
2
3

Motor Shaft Spindle

1
4
50 T

As z1  z2  z3  z4
50  100  60  z4
No of teeth on gear 4=90 teeth.
 z1  z3 
 Speed of the spindle N 4     N1
 z2  z4 
 50 × 60 
 N4 =   ×1200 = 400 rpm
 100 × 90 Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Epicyclic gear Train
Arm A
Planet B

Sun C

• An epicyclic gear train is one in which the axis of one or

more gears moves relative to the frame. It is also called
Planetary gear train.
• In the arrangement shown in fig, the sun gear C is fixed to the
frame. The planet gear B, carried by a revolving arm A,
rotates not only about its own center but also about the center
of fixed sun gear.
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
• Calculation of train value for planetary gear train is
complicated because of the movement of the planet gear
axis.
• Two methods are used for solving planetary gear train
problems namely;
(i) Algebraic method (or formula method)
(ii) Tabulation method (or superposition method)

Arm A
Planet B

Sun C

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Train value by algebraic method
Arm A
Planet B

Sun C

In the epicyclic gear train shown, assume the sun gear C is the driver &
zC
planet gear B is the driven member. Train value (TV) = (1)
zB
Speed of the planet gear (driven) B relative to arm A is nBA  (nB  nA ) (2)
Speed of the sun gear C (driver) relative to arm A is nCA  (nC  nA ) (3)
Dividing Eqn (2) by (3) gives the train value of the gear train.
zC nBA nB  nA
i.e. Train value =  
z B nCA nC  nA
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Train value by algebraic method

Arm A
Planet B

Sun C

Thus, in any planetary gear train, the train value may be

nL - nA
written as; TV = ; where
nF - nA
nF = Speed of the first gear in the train
nL = Speed of the last gear in the train
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 1
In the planetary gear train shown in fig, the sun gear B is
fixed. Find the speed of gear D, if the arm A rotates at 60
rpm in counter- clockwise direction. The number of teeth
on B, C & D are 120, 60 & 40 respectively.

Arm A

D
C
B

Data : nA  60 rpm (ccw), nB  0 rpm (fixed)

zB  120, zc  60, zD  40, nD  ?
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Train value by algebraic method

Arm A

D
C
B

In the epicyclic gear train shown, the sun gear B is first gear &
planet gear D is the last gear. Both rotate in same direction.
Train value is given by;
Product of number of teeth on drivers z B  zC z B 120
TV =    3
Product of number of teeth on followers zC  z D z D 40
nLast gear  nArm nD - nA nD  (60)
Also Train value = 3 
nFirst gear  nArm nB - nA 0  (60)
 Speed of the gear D is n P R=
DrD 120 rpm
Venkatesh, clockwise.
Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Tabulation Method Arm A

D
C
B

Condition
Sl.No Arm Gear B -120 Gear C- 60 Gear D - 40
of motion
Fix the arm & give Z  Z   ZC   ZB 
1 0 1  B   B    
+1 rev to gear B  ZC   ZC   ZD   D
Z
Z   ZB 
2 Muliply by x 0 x  B  x  x
 ZC   ZD 
 ZB   ZB 
3 Add y y yx y  x y x
 C
Z  ZD 
Given nA = 60 rpm,  y  60 Also nB  0  y  x  0,  x  60
Z   120 
Hence speed of gear D = y   B  x  60     60  120 rpm Clockwise
 ZD   40 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 2
In an epicyclic gear train, an arm carries two gears A & B
having 36 and 45 teeth respectively. If the arm rotates at
150 rpm in the anticlockwise direction, about center of
gear A which is fixed, determine the speed of speed of B.
If the gear A instead of being fixed, makes 300 rpm in the
clockwise direction, what will be the speed of gear B?
B
A
Arm C

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

Train value by algebraic method B
A
Arm C

In the epicyclic gear train shown, the sun gear A is first gear &
planet gear B is the last gear. They rotate in opposite directions.
zA 36
Train value is given by TV =    0.8
zB 45
nLast gear  nArm nB - nArm nD  (150)
Also Train value =  0.8  
nFirst gear  nArm nA - nArm 0  (150)
(i) Speed of the gear B when gear A is fixed is nB = -270 rpm (counter clockwise)
(ii) Speed of the gear B when gear A makes 300 rpm cw i.e. nA  300 rpm:
nD  (150) n  150
 0.8   D  nB = -510 rpm (counter clockwise)
300  (150) 300 
Dr 15 0
P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Tabulation Method :
Sl.No Condition of motion Arm C Gear A-36 Gear B-45
Fix the arm & give  ZA 
1 0 1   1
1 rev to gear A  ZB 
 ZA 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  x
 ZB 
 ZA 
3 Add y y yx y  x
 ZB 
Speed of gear B when A is fixed : (Taking cw direction as + ve)
As the arm makes 150 rpm ccw, y   150
Gear A is fixed and hence y  x  0  x  150
 ZA   36 
Speed of gear B=y    x   150    150  270
 ZB   45 
i.e. Speed of gear B  270 rpm counter
Dr P R Venkatesh, clockwise
Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Tabulation Method......
Speed of gear B when A makes 300 rpm clockwise :
(Taking cw direction as + ve)
As the arm makes 150 rpm ccw, y   150
Gear A makes 300 rpm cw, hence y  x  300  150  x  300
 ZA   36 
 x  450. Speed of gear B  y    x  150     450  510
 ZB   45 
i.e. Speed of gear B = 510 rpm counter clockwise

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Problem 3
In the reverted gear train shown in fig, the number of
teeth on gears B, C & D are 75, 30 and 90 respectively.
Find the speed and direction of gear C when the gear B is
fixed and the arm makes 100 rpm clockwise.

B D

E
C
A

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

Train value by algebraic method B D

From fig,
E
C
(ZB  Z E )  ( ZC  Z D )  (75  Z E )  (30  90)
A
 ZE  45 teeth

In the epicyclic gear train shown, the gear B is first gear & gear C is the last gear.
They rotate in same direction.
z z 75  90
Train value is given by TV = B D  5
z E  zC 45  30
nLast gear  nArm nC - nArm nC  100
Also Train value = 5 
nFirst gear  nArm nB - nArm 0  100
[ Speed of the gear B  0 (fixed gear) & speed of arm  100 rpm]
 500  nC  100  nC = -400 rpm (counter clockwise)

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

Tabulation Method :
Compound gear D-E
Sl.No Condition of motion Arm A Gear B-75 Gear C-30
D - 90 & E- 45
Fix the arm & give
Z  Z 
1 +1 rev to compound gear 0 1  E  1  D  1
D-E  ZB   ZC 

Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  E x  D  x
 ZB   ZC 
Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y  E x y  D x
 ZB   ZC 
From fig, (Z B  Z E )  ( Z C  Z D )  (75  Z E )  (30  90)  Z E  45 teeth
Wheel B is fixed and arm A makes 100 rpm clockwise. i.e. y=100
Z   45 
Hence y   E  x  0  100    x  0
 ZB   75 
Z   90 
 x  166.67  Speed of gear C=y   D  x  100   166.67  -400
 ZC   30 
i.e. Speed of gear C = 400 rpm counterclockwise
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 3
An internal wheel B with 80 teeth is keyed to
shaft F. A fixed internal wheel C with 82 teeth is
concentric with B. A compound wheel D-E gears
with the two internal wheels; D has 28 teeth and
gears with C while E gears with B. The compound
wheels revolve freely on a pin which projects
from a disc of a shaft A coaxial with F. If all the
wheels have the same pitch and shaft A makes
800 rpm, what is the speed of shaft F? Sketch the
arrangement.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 E
D

C
 B
 F

Schematic arrangement of gears

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Train value by algebraic method

From fig, (rC  rB )  (rD  rE )  (ZC  Z B )  ( Z D  Z E )

Hence (82  80)  (28  Z E )  ZE  26 teeth
In the epicyclic gear train shown, there are two trains.
Train 1 : Gears D - C :
In this train, gear D is first gear & gear C is the last gear.
They rotate in same direction.
 z D   28 
Train value is given by TV =       0.3415
 zC   82 
nLast gear  nArm nC - nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nD - nArm
0  800
 0.3415  [ as gear C is fixed, n E = 0 &
nD  800
speed of shaft A = speed of arm ]
 Speed of D = nD  -1542.86 rpm (ccw)
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Train 2 : Gears D - E - B :
In this train, gear D is first gear & gear B is the last gear.
They rotate in same direction.
 z E   26 
Train value is given by TV =       0.325
 z B   80 
[ D - E is compound gear, nE  nD & E meshes with B]
nLast gear  nArm nB  nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nD  nArm
nB  800
 0.325   Speed of B = nB  38.57 rpm (cw)
1542.86  800
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 E
D

C
 B
 F

Tabulation Method : From fig, (rC  rB )  (rD  rE ) As r  mz & m is same for all gears
(ZC  Z B )  ( Z D  Z E )  (82  80)  (28  Z E )  Z E  26 teeth
Condition Compound gear D-E
Sl.No Arm Gear C-82 Gear B-80
of motion D-28 & E-26
Fix the arm & give  ZD   ZE 
1 0 1    
+1 rev to gear B  C
Z  B
Z
Z  Z 
2 Muliply by x 0 x  D  x  E x
 ZC   ZB 
Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y D x y  E x
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 ZC   ZB 
 Condition Compound gear D-E
Sl.No Arm Gear C-82 Gear B-80
of motion D-28 & E-26
Fix the arm & give Z  Z 
1 0 1  D   E 
+1 rev to gear B  ZC   ZB 
 ZD   ZE 
2 Muliply by x 0 x  x  x
 ZC   ZB 
Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y D x y E x
 ZC   ZB 
Since the disc is keyed to the shaft and the shaft makes 800 rpm, y  800
 ZD   28 
Wheel C is fixed. Hence y    x  0  800   x 0
 ZC   82 
 26 
 x  2342.86 Speed of gear B  800      2342.86   38.57 rpm
 80 
i.e. Speed of gear B=speed of shaft F=38.57 rpm (same as direction of shaft A)
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 4
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.

E B

A
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Train value by algebraic method : In the epicyclic gear train shown, the gear C
is first gear & gear A is the last gear. They rotate in opposite directions.
zC  z B  32  4
     
F
Train value is given by TV = -
zB  z A  72  9 E B

nLast gear  nArm  4 n -n 0  18

Train value =      A Arm 
nFirst gear  nArm  9  nC - nArm nC  18
C

[ Speed of the gear A  0 (fixed gear) & speed of arm  18 rpm]

 nC = 58.5 rpm (clockwise)
To find speed of B, consider C as first gear & B as last gear
zC  32 
Train value is given by TV = -      1.6
zB  20 
nLast gear  nArm nB - nArm n  18
Also Train value =  1.6   B
nFirst gear  nArm nC - nArm 58.5  18
[ Speed of the gear C  58.5 rpm & speed of arm  18 rpm]
 nB = -46.8 rpm (counter clockwise)
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 F

Tabulation Method
E B

Sl.No Condition of motion Arm EF Gear C-32 Gear B-20 Gear A-72
Fix the arm, give +1 rev Z  Z   ZB   ZC 
1 0 1  C   C 
      
(cw) to gear C  ZB   ZB   ZA   ZA 
Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  C x  C  x
 ZB   ZA 
Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y  C x y  C x
 ZB   ZA 
Wheel A is fixed and arm EF makes 18 rpm clockwise. i.e. y  18
Z   32 
Hence y   C  x  0  18    x  0  x  40.5
 ZA   72 
Z   32 
 Speed of gear B  y   C  x  18    40.5  -46.8 (ccw)
 ZB   20 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
i.e. Speed of gear C  y  x  18  40.5  58.5 (cw)
 Problem 5
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.
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Given :
zc  50, zD = 20, z E = 35, N A  110 rpm, From fig, rG = (rC + rD + rE )
mz
As r = where m = module which is same for all gears;
2
zG = (zC + z D + z E )= 105 teeth
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Train value by
algebraic method

In the epicyclic gear train shown, gear C is first gear & gear G is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions.
 zC z E   50 35  5
Train value is given by TV =             
 D
z zG   20 105  6
nLast gear  nArm nG - nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nC - nArm
5 0  narm
    [ as gear G is fixed, n E = 0 & n c  110]
 6  110  narm
 Speed of B = nB  50 rpm (cw) [ Speed of shaft B = speed of arm ]
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Tabulation Method

Compound gear D-E

Sl.No Condition of motion Arm Gear C-50 Gear G-105
D  20 & E  35
Fix the arm, give Z  Z   ZE 
1 0 1  C   C  
+1 rev (cw) to gear C  ZD   ZD   ZG 
Z  Z   ZE 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  C x  C  x
 ZD   ZD   ZG 
 ZC   ZC   ZE 
3 Add y y yx y  x y   x
 ZD   ZD   ZG 
Z  Z  5 5
Wheel G is fixed  y   C    E  x  0  y    x  0 or  y    x
 Z D   ZG  6 6
Alos shaft A (gear C) makes 110 rpm clockwise. i.e. y  x  110
Solving , x  60, y  50
i.e. Speed of shaft B  Speed of arm  y  50 rpm (cw)

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Problem 6
A aircraft propeller mechanism drive is shown in fig. Determine the
propeller speed (arm A) in magnitude & direction if the engine runs
at 2500 rpm clockwise direction. Gears 2-3 forms a compound gear
which is free to rotate on the arm.
4 (124)

2 (28)
3(46)

Arm A

Propeller
Engine

1 (48)

Ans: TV = - 0.634
Speed of arm = 1528.17 rpm
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 7
Fig shows a compound epicyclic gear train. If the shaft P is driven at 500 rpm while the
annulus 6 rotates at 500 rpm in the opposite direction, determine the speed and the
direction of the shaft A. The internal gear 3 and the external gear 4 forms a compound
gear and is free to rotate on the arm A. The number of teeth on gears 1,3,4 and 6 are
30,80,25 & 75 respectively.
3 6

4
P A

Ans: TV = 0.125
Speed of arm =
642.86 rpm Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Torque in epicyclic gear trains
Let M ti = input torque, M to = output torque, M tf = fixing torque
If there is no acceleration, the net torque on the gear train must be zero.
i.e. M ti  M to  M tf  0 (i )
Also, if there is no friction loss, net energy dissipated by the train must be zero.
i.e. M ti ni + M to no +M tf n f  0 (ii ) where ni , no and n f are the speds of the input,
output & annulus or fixed gear.
Note :
1000 P  60
(a) Input torque = M ti  , where P is the input power to the train.
2 ni
(b) For a fixed member, n f  0, hence equation (ii) becomes; M ti ni + M to no  0
M ti ni
Output torque M to   , substituting in (i), M tf    M ti  M to 
no
 M n  n 
 Holding or fixing torque M tf    M ti  ti i   M ti  i  1
 no 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 no 
 Problem 8
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 the
speed of the sun wheel. The minimum number of
teeth on any wheel is 16. The driving torque on
the sun wheel is 100 Nm. Determine;
• Number of teeth on different wheels of the train.
• Torque necessary to keep the internal gear
stationary.
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 E
P

C
P P

Schematic arrangement of gears

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 E
P
Train value by
algebraic method S

C
P P

In the epicyclic gear train shown, gear S is first gear & gear E is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions.
 zs z p   zs 
Train value is given by TV =        
z 
 p zE   zE 
nLast gear  nArm nE - nArm 1
Also Train value =  Given gear E is fixed, & n arm = ns ,
nFirst gear  nArm nS - nArm 5
 zs  0  narm  zs 
       0.25 or z S  0.25 z E
 zE  5narm  narm  zE 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 E
P
Train value by
algebraic method S

C
P P

In the epicyclic gear train shown, gear S is first gear & gear E is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions.
 zs z p  z 
Train value is given by TV =        s 
z 
 p zE   zE 
nLast gear  nArm nE - nArm 1
Also Train value =  Given gear E is fixed, & n arm = ns ,
nFirst gear  nArm nS - nArm 5
 zs  0  narm  zs 
        0.25 or z S  0.25 z E
 z E  5narm  narm  zE 
Also from fig, z E  zS  2 zP Putting z S  0.25 zE , zE  0.25 zE  2 zP or z P  0.375 z E
Given the minimum number ofDr Pteeth as 16
R Venkatesh, Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Mech z s = 16  z E = 64, z P = 24
Let the arm rotate at 1 rpm, sun wheel rotates at 5 rpm,
Considering train value between S (first gear) & P(last gear)
 zs nLast gear  nArm n p - nArm  16  n p -1 5
         n p     rpm  n0
z
 p  nFirst gear  nArm ns - nArm  24  5 -1 3
n 
Holding or fixing torque : M tf  M ti  i  1 Given M ti  100 Nm
 no 
5
Here, input is at sunwheel ni = 5 rpm & output at planet n p =    rpm
3
 5 
 M tf  100   1  100  3  1  400 Nm (opp to that of input torque)
 5 
 3 

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 E
P

Tabulation Method S

C
P P

Condition of Carrier sunwheel Planet Internal Gear

Sl.No
motion C S P E
Fix the carrier C
Z   Z  Z  Z 
1 & give +1 rev to 0 1  s    s  P     s 
sunwheel S  ZP   Z P  Z E   ZE 

Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  s  x  s  x
 ZP   ZE 
 Zs   Zs 
3 Add y y yx y  x y  x
 P
Z
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 E
Z
 E
P

C
P P

As speed of C is 1  5  times the sun wheel S,

y  1 and x  y  5  x  4. As internal gear E is stationary,
 ZS   ZS   ZS  1
y   x  0  1  4  0     or Z E  4 Z S
 ZE   ZE   ZE  4
As the minimum number of teeth on any wheel is 16,
take Z S =16 & hence Z E  64
Also from the fig, Z E  Z S  2 Z P  64  16  2 Z P
 Number of teeth on
Dr P R planet wheel
Venkatesh, Mech Z P  24
Dept,RVCE,B'lore
  ni 
Holding or fixing torque : M tf  M ti   1
 no 
Here, input is at sunwheel ni = 5, M ti  100 Nm
 zs   16  5
output is at planet wheel whose speed is no  y    x = 1     4  
z   24  3
 p
 5 
 M tf  100   1  100  3  1  400 Nm (opp to that of input torque)
 5 
 3 

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Problem for practice
An epicyclic gear train of the sun & planet type is shown in fig. The pitch
diameter of the internally toothed ring D is to be as nearly as 228 mm
and the module is 4 mm. When the ring is stationary, the spider A which
carries the three planet wheels C of equal size is to make one revolution
for every five revolutions of the driving spindle carrying the sun wheel B.
Determine suitable number of teeth for all the wheels and the exact
pitch circle diameter of the ring D.
If a torque of 30 Nm is applied to the sun wheel B, what torque will be
required to keep the ring stationary?
D
C

B Ans : Z D  56, ZB  14, ZC  21

A
C C
Actual Pitch dia of ring D = 224 mm
M to  150 N  m, M tf  120 N  m

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Problem 9
In the epicyclic gear train, as shown in Fig, the driving gear A rotating
in clockwise direction has 14 teeth and the fixed annular gear C has
100 teeth. The ratio of teeth in gears E and D is 98 : 41. If 1.85 kW is
supplied to the gear A rotating at 1200 r.p.m., find : 1. the speed and
direction of rotation of gear E, and 2. the fixing torque required at C,
assuming 100 per cent efficiency throughout and that all teeth have
the same pitch.

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 C

D E
B
Arm

zE 98
Given : z A  14, zC  100,  , P  1.85KW (at A), nA  1200 rpm
zD 41
100  14
From the fig, zC =(z A +2Z B )  zB  = 43 teeth
2

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

Train value by algebraic method

In the epicyclic gear train shown, there are two trains.

Train 1 : Gears A - B - C :
In this train, gear A is first gear & gear C is the last gear.
They rotate in same direction.
z   14 
Train value is given by TV =   A       0.14
 zC   100 
nLast gear  nArm nC - nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nA - nArm
0  narm
 0.14  [ as gear C is fixed, n E = 0 &
1200  narm
speed of gear A = 1200 rpm ]
 Speed of arm = narm  147.37 rpm (cw)

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

Train 2 : Gears A - B - D - E :
In this train, gear A is first gear & gear E is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions .
z z   14 41 
Train value is given by TV =   A  D        0.1362
 zB zE   43 98 
[ B - D is compound gear, nB  nD & D meshes with E]
nLast gear  nArm nE  nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nA  nArm
nE  147.37
 0.1362   Speed of E = n  4 rpm (cw)
1200  147.37
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'loreB
 C

D E
B
Arm

 ni 
Holding or fixing torque : M tf  M ti   1
 no 
1000  P  60
Here, input is at sunwheel ni = 1200, M ti   14.72 Nm
2 1200
output is at annulus E whose speed is no  4 rpm
 1200 
 M tf  14.72   1  14.72  299   4401.3 Nm
 4 
(same sense as that of input torque)
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 C

Tabulation Method B
D E

Arm

Compound gear
Sl. Condition
Arm Gear A-14 B-D Gear C- 100 Gear E - 98
No of motion
B - 43 & D - 41
Z  Z 
 A  B 
Fix the arm, give Z   Z B   ZC  Z  Z 
1 0 1   A  1  A  D 
+1 rev (cw) to A  ZB  Z   ZB   ZE 
  A 
 ZC 
Z  Z  Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  A  x  A  x  A  D  x
 ZB   ZC   ZB   ZE 
Z  Z  Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y  A x y  A x y   A  D x
 ZB   ZC   ZB   ZE 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Compound gear
Sl. Condition
Arm Gear A-14 B-D Gear C- 100 Gear E - 98
No of motion
B - 43 & D - 41
Z  Z 
 A  B 
Fix the arm, give Z   Z B   ZC  Z  Z 
1 0 1   A  1  A  D 
+1 rev (cw) to A  ZB  Z   ZB   ZE 
  A 
 ZC 
Z  Z  Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  A  x  A  x  A  D  x
 ZB   ZC   ZB   ZE 
Z  Z  Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y  A x y  A x y   A  D x
 ZB   ZC   ZB   ZE 
 ZA 
Since the annulus C is fixed, y    x  0  y  0.14 x  0
 Z EC 
Also Wheel A makes 1200 rpm (cw) Hence y  x  1200, Solving ,
x  1052.6, y  147.4
 Z A   ZD   14   41 
Speed of gear E = y     x  147.4       1052.6  4 rpm (cw)
 ZB   ZE   43   98 
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
  ni 
Holding or fixing torque M tf  M ti   1
 no 
1000  P  60
Here, input is at sunwheel ni = 1200, M ti   14.72 Nm
2 1200
output is at annulus E whose speed is no  4 rpm
 1200 
 M tf  14.72   1  14.72  299   4401.3 Nm
 4 
(same sense as that of input torque)
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 10
A bevel gear differential is shown in fig. Gears 3-4 & 5-6 are compound gears and
they rotate freely on the arm. The speed of arm is 100 rpm anticlockwise and that
of shaft B is 1200 rpm clockwise. The number of teeth on gears 2,3,4,5,6 & 7 are
respectively 30, 60,40,80,35 and 25. Determine the speed and the direction of
shaft C.
5 (80)

3 (60)

6 (35) C
A

Arm

7 (25)
B
4 (40)

2 (30) Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

Dr P R Venkatesh,
 5 (80)
Algebraic Method
3 (60)
Given : nA  100 rpm (ccw),
6 (35) C
A

Arm
nB = n2 = 1200 rpm (cw),
7 (25) z2 = 30, z3  60, z4  40, z5  80
B

z6  35, z7  25
4 (40)

2 (30)

In the bevel epicyclic gear train shown, the gear 4 is first gear & gear 7 is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions.
n z 1200 60
Consider gears 2 & 3, 2   3    n3  600 rpm  n4
n3 z2 n3 30
 z z   40  35 
Train value is given by TV =   4 6       -0.7
 z5  z7   80  25 
nLast gear  nArm n -n n  (100)
Also Train value =  0.7  7 Arm  7
nFirst gear  nArm n2 - nArm 600  (100)
 n7  100 
0.7     Speed of shaft C = n7  250 rpm (cw)
 600  100  Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 5 (80)
Tabulation method 3 (60)

6 (35) C
A
In the bevel epicyclic gear train shown, the gear 4 is first gear
& gear 7 is the last gear. They rotate in opposite directions. Arm

n z 7 (25)
Consider gears 2 & 3, 2   3 B
4 (40)
n3 z2
1200 60
   n3  600 rpm  n4 2 (30)
n3 30

Compound
Condition of Gear-4 Gear 7
Sl.No Arm Gear 5-6
motion (40) (25)
5 (80) 6 (35)
 Z6 
Fix the arm 0.5    
1 & give +1 rev to 0 1
Z 4 40
  0.5  Z7 
Z 5 80  35 
gear 4 0.5    0.7
 25 
2 Multiply by x 0 x 0.5 x 0.7 x
3 Add y y yx y  0.5 x y  0.7 x
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Compound
Condition of Gear-4 Gear 7
Sl.No Arm Gear 5-6
motion (40) (25)
5 (80) 6 (35)
 Z6 
Fix the arm 0.5    
1 & give +1 rev to 0 1
Z 4 40
  0.5  Z7 
Z 5 80  35 
gear 4 0.5    0.7
 25 
2 Multiply by x 0 x 0.5 x 0.7 x
3 Add y y yx y  0.5 x y  0.7 x

Since y  100 rpm ,Speed of gear 4 is  600 rpm, y  x  600

 100  x  600,  x  500 rpm
Speed of shaft C = Speed of gear 7, n7   y  0.7 x 
 Speed of shaft C  100  0.7(500)  250 rpm (clockwise)
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Problem 12
A Humpage reduction gear is shown in fig. The input is to gear A, and the output is
gear D which is connected to the output shaft. The arm R turns freely on the
output shaft and carries the compound gear BC. Gear E is fixed to the frame. The
number of teeth on the wheels A, B, C, D and E are respectively 20, 56, 24, 35 and
76. If gear A receives 3.75 KW at 1000 rpm, determine the output torque and the
train value.

B R

Output Input

E
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
 Algebraic method
B R

Output
Given : P  3.75 KW at nA  1000 rpm  ni
Input

C nE =0, z A = 20, z B  56, zC  24, z D  35

A
zE  76
D
In the bevel epicyclic gear train shown, there are two trains.
E
Train 1 : Gears A - B - E :
In this train, gear A is first gear & gear E is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions.
z   20 
Train value is given by TV =   A       -0.2632
 zE   76 
nLast gear  nArm nE - nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nA - nArm
0  narm
 0.2632  [ as gear E is fixed, n E = 0]
1000  narm
 Speed DrofP Rarm  208.33 rpm (cw)
= narm Dept,RVCE,B'lore
Venkatesh, Mech
 B R

Output Input

E Train 2 : Gears A - B - C - D : [B & C are a compound gear]

In this train, gear A is first gear & gear D is the last gear.
They rotate in opposite directions.
 z A zC   20  24 
Train value is given by TV =          -0.245
 zB zD   56  35 
nLast gear  nArm nD - nArm
Also Train value = 
nFirst gear  nArm nA - nArm
nD  208.33
 0.245   Speed of gear D = no  14.45 rpm
1000  208.33
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
  ni 
Holding or fixing torque : M tf  M ti   1
 no 
Here, input is at gear A = nA = ni = 1000 rpm
1000  3.75  60
 M ti   35.8 N - m
2 1000
Output is at gear D whose speed is nD = no  14.45 rpm
 1000 
 M tf  35.8   1  35.8  299   2441.71 Nm
 14.45 
(same sense as that of input torque)
Also M ti  M tf  M to  0  35.8  2441.71  M to  0
 Torque on output shaft M to  35.8  2441.71  2477.51 N - m

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore

 Tabulation method B R

Given : P  3.75 KW at nA  1000 rpm  ni

Output Input

C
nE =0, z A = 20, zB  56, zC  24, z D  35 A

zE  76 D

Compound gear
Sl. Condition
Arm Gear A-20 B-C Gear D - 35 Gear E - 76
No of motion
B - 56 & C - 24
Z  Z 
 A  B 
Fix the arm, give  ZA  Z  Z   ZB   ZE 
1 0 1   1  A  C 
+1 rev (cw) to A  B
Z  ZB   ZD  Z 
  A 
 ZE 
 ZA  Z  Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  x  A  C x  A  x
 ZB   ZB   ZD   ZE 
Z  Z  Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y A x y   A  C x y  A  x
Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore
ZB   ZB   ZD   ZE 
 Compound gear
Sl. Condition
Arm Gear A-20 B-C Gear D - 35 Gear E - 76
No of motion
B - 56 & C - 24
Z  Z 
 A  B 
Fix the arm, give  ZA  Z  Z   ZB   ZE 
1 0 1   1  A  C 
+1 rev (cw) to A  B
Z  ZB   ZD  Z 
  A 
 ZE 
 ZA  Z  Z  Z 
2 Multiply by x 0 x  x  A  C x  A  x
 B
Z  ZB   ZD   ZE 
Z  Z  Z  Z 
3 Add y y yx y A x y   A  C x y  A  x
 ZB   ZB   ZD   ZE 

Speed of gear A is 1000 rpm, y  x  1000. Also Gear E is fixed

z   20 
 y  A  x  0  y    x  0 or y  0.2632 x  0  x  791.67 , y  208.33
 zD   76 
 Z A   ZC   20   24 
Speed of gear D  y     x  208.33        791.67
 ZB   ZD   56   35 
 Speed of gear D = Speed Dr
ofP RoVenkatesh,
utput Mechshaft  14.45 rpm (clockwise)
Dept,RVCE,B'lore
  ni 
Holding or fixing torque : M tf  M ti   1
 no 
Here, input is at gear A = nA = ni = 1000 rpm
1000  3.75  60
 M ti   35.8 N - m
2 1000
Output is at gear D whose speed is nD = no  14.45 rpm
 1000 
 M tf  35.8   1  35.8  299   2441.71 Nm
 14.45 
(same sense as that of input torque)
Also M ti  M tf  M to  0  35.8  2441.71  M to  0
 Torque on output shaft M to  35.8  2441.71  2477.51 N - m

Dr P R Venkatesh, Mech Dept,RVCE,B'lore