CHAPTER 18

Helical Gears

Summary

LO 1. Iden6fy the basic types of helical gear and its terminology

There are two basic types of helical gears viz. parallel and crossed. Parallel helical gears operate
on two parallel shaCs. In this case the magnitude of the helix angle is the same for the pinion
and the gear, however, the hand of the helix is opposite. Crossed helical gears are mounted on
shaCs with crossed axes. Their teeth may have the same or opposite hand of the helix.

Two planes are considered for terminology of helical gears viz. plane of rota6on and plane
perpendicular to tooth element. Transverse circular pitch (p) is measured in the plane of
rota6on while normal circular pitch (pn), is measured in a plane perpendicular to the tooth
elements. Similarly, there are transverse module (m) and normal module (mn). The helix angle is
the angle between the axis of the shaC and the centre line of the tooth taken on the pitch
plane.

LO 2. Know the concept of virtual number of teeth

In the design of helical gears, an imaginary spur gear is considered in plane which is normal to
the tooth elements. It is called a 'forma6ve' or 'virtual' spur gear. The number of teeth z ' on this
imaginary spur gear is called the virtual number of teeth. It is given by
z
z'=
cos3 ψ

LO 3. Explain the propor6ons of tooth

In helical gears, the normal module mn is selected from the standards and first preference
values are used. The standard propor6ons are as follows,

addendum (ha) = mn

dedendum (hf) = 1.25 mn

clearance (c) = 0.25 mn

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 LO 4. Formulate expressions for components of force ac6ng on the tooth of helical
gear

The resultant force ac6ng on the tooth is resolved into three components viz. tangen6al
component Pt, radial component Pr, and axial component Pa. They are given by,

[ cos ψ ]
2M tan αn
Pt = d t ;Pr = Pt

Pa = Pt tan Ψ

LO 5. Calculate beam strength of helical gear

The beam strength is given by,

Sb = mnb σbY

LO 6. Discuss effec6ve load on gear tooth

In the preliminary stages, the effec6ve load between two meshing teeth is given by,

C P
s t
Peff = C
v

In the final stages of gear design, effec6ve load is given by,

Peff = (Cs Pt + Pd)

where (Pd) is addi6onal load due to dynamic condi6ons between two meshing teeth.

LO 7. Determine wear strength of helical gear

The wear strength is given by,

bQ dp K
Sw =
cos2 ψ

LO 8. Describe herringbone and crossed helical gears

Herringbone gears are constructed by joining two iden6cal helical gears of same module,
number of teeth, and pitch circle diameter; but with teeth having opposite hand of helix. There
is no groove between these two gears. Due to opposite hand of helix, they develop opposite
thrust reac6ons and thus cancel out the thrust force within the gear itself. The net axial force
that acts on the bearings is zero.

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 Helical gears, which are mounted on non-parallel shaCs, are called crossed helical gears. They
have very low load carrying capacity. They are par6cularly useful in light duty applica6ons.

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