Gear Tooth Stress Measurements of Two Helicopter Planetary Stages

Abstract : Two versions of the planetary reduction stages from U.S. Army OH-58 helicopter main rotor transmissions were tested at the NASA Lewis Research Center. One sequential and one nonsequential planetary were tested. Sun gear and ring gear teeth strains were measured, and stresses were calculated from the strains. The alternating stress at the fillet of both the loaded and unloaded sides of the teeth and at the root of the sun gear teeth are reported. Typical stress variations as the gear tooth moves through the mesh are illustrated. At the tooth root location of the thin-rimmed sun gear, a significant stress was produced by a phenomenon other than the passing of a planet gear. The load variation among the planets was studied. Each planet produced its own distinctive load distribution on the ring and sun gears. The load variation was less for a three-planet, nonsequential design as compared to that of a four- planet, sequential design. The results reported enhance the data base for gear stress levels and provide data for the validation of analytical methods.