Study on modular modeling and performance evaluation of a conical gear for marine transmission system

Abstract

Conical involute gears, which are also known as beveloid gears, are the involute gears with cone-shape gear body rather than cylindrical gear body. Generally, conical gears are used in anti-backlash transmission systems and marine transmission systems. In marine transmission system, in order to obtain optimal propulsive force, 7-14 degree inclination angle was needed. In this paper, a 7 degree cone angle conical gear used in 375 kW class marine power transmission system was selected as research objective. And in order to establish the design theory of conical gear, a design system named conical gear modular modeling system was developed. The prototype conical gear was developed by the above design system to be used to simulate in a certain condition. The simulated and optimized prototype conical gear was manufactured which is as a specimen to complete a series of performance tests which contains gear tooth profile test and contact rate test. As the results, the developed conical gear can well meet the performance requirements of the 375 kW class marine power transmission system.