The terminology used below is

NS, NA, NP = number of teeth on the sun wheel, the ring gear, and the plant gears respectively.
RS, RA, RL RP = rotation (revs) of the the sun wheel, the ring gear, the planatory arm, and the
plant gears respectively.
S , A , L, P = angular velocity of the sun wheel, the ring gear, the planatory arm, and the
plant gears respectively.

If the ratio of rotation of the follower member (RA) has a ratio of R relative to the driving
member (RB) rotation i.e. RA = R. RB. Then RB = RA /R
Example 1.----Planetary Arrangement.
The driver is the planetary arm ( L ).
The driven member is the Sun (S).
The Ring Gear is fixed. (A)

Note NA = NS + 2. NP
Rotation (CW= +ve) from
action....................Nx = number of teeth

Action

Turn whole gear thro 1 rev Clock Wise 1

Fix arm L and rotate A back CCW 1 rev 0

-1

-NA /NP

+NA / NS

Add the two motions above

1 - ( NA / NP)

1 + ( NA / NS)

Summary : Rotation of the planet shaft(L) 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the
shaft (S) 1 + ( NA / NS) revs (CW).
Ratio = RS = RL ( 1 + ( NA / NS)
ratio r1 = RS / RL = ( 1 + ( NA / NS)
Example 1a.. Arrangement as above

The driver is the Sun ( S ).

The driven member is the planetary arm (L).
The Ring Gear is fixed. (A)
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of RS = RL ( 1 + ( NA / NS) if the driver is the sun
wheel
The ratio for this inverse arrangement is RL = RS / ( 1 + ( NA / NS)
ratio r1a = RL / RS = 1 / ( 1 + ( NA / NS)
Example 2..----Star Arrangement
The driver is the Sun ( S ).
The driven member is the Ring (A).
The planetary arm is fixed. (L)

Note NA = NS + 2. NP

Action

Rotation (CW= +ve) from

action....................Nx = number of teeth
S

Fix L and rotate Sun 1 rev CW 1

- NS / NP

- NS / NA

Summary : Rotation of the Sun shaft(S) 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the shaft
(A) NS / NA revs (CCW).
Ratio = RA = RS( - NS / NA )
ratio r2 = RA / RS = - ( NS / NA)
Example 2a.. Arrangement as above
The driver is the ring gear ( A ).
The follower is the Sun (S).
The the planetary arm (L) is fixed. )
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of Ratio RA = RS( - NS / NA ) if the driver
is the ring wheel
The ratios for this inverse arrangement is RS = RA( - NA / NS ))
ratio r2a = RS / RA = - ( NA / NS)

Example 3.----Solar Arrangement..

The driver is the planetary Arm ( L ).
The follower is the annulus ring (A)
The the sun gear (S) is fixed.

Note NA = NS + 2. NP
Rotation (CW= +ve) from
action....................Nx = number of teeth

Action

Turn whole gear thro 1 rev Clock Wise 1

Fix arm L and rotate S back CCW 1 rev 0

NS /NA

NS /NP

-1

Add the two motions above

1 + ( NS / NA)

1 + ( NS / NP)

Summary : Rotation of the Planet arm L 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the Ring
gear (A) 1 + ( NS / NA)revs CW.
Ratio = RA = RL ( 1 + ( NS / NA)
ratio r3 = RA / RL = ( 1 + ( NS / NA)
Example 3a.. Arrangement as above
The driver is the annulus ring gear (A)
The follower is the planetary arm (L).
The sun ( S )is fixed.
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of Ratio RA = RL.( 1 + ( NS / NA)) if the
driver is the sun wheel and the follower is the planetary arm the resulting ratio is RL
= RA / ( 1 + ( NS / NA)
ratio r3a = RL / RA = 1 / ( 1 + ( NS / NA)
Example 4..
The driver is the planetary Arm ( L ).
The follower is the sun (S).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed.

Note NS = NA - NB + ND
Rotation (CW= +ve) from action....................Nx =
number of teeth

Action

L A B-D

Turn whole gear through 1 rev CW 1 1 1

Fix L and rotate A back CCW 1 rev 0 -1 - NA / NB

- ( NA / NB).( N D / N S)

Add the two motions above

1 0 1 -( NA / NB) 1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)

Summary : Rotation of the Shaft L 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the shaft (S) 1
- ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S) revs (CW).
Ratio = RS = RL [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
ratio r4 = RS / RL = [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Example 4a.. Arrangement as above
The driver is the sun ( S ).
The follower is the planetary arm (L).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed. )
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of Ratio RS = RL[1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N
S)] if the driver is the sun wheel and the follower is the planetary arm the resulting
ratio is RL = RS / [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
ratio r4a = RL / RS = 1 / [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Example 5..
The driver is the planetary Arm ( L ).
The follower is the sun (S).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed. )

Note NS = NA - NB - ND
Rotation (CW= +ve) from action....................Nx =
number of teeth

Action

L A B-D

Turn whole gear through 1 rev CW 1 1 1

Fix L and rotate A back CCW 1 rev 0 -1 - NA / NB

+ ( NA / NB).( N D / N S)

Add the two motions above

1 0 1 -( NA / NB) 1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)

Summary : Rotation of the shaft L 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the shaft (S) 1
+ ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S) revs (CW).
Ratio : RS = RL [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)]
ratio r5 = RS / RL = [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Example 5a.. Arrangement as above
The driver is the sun ( S ).
The follower is the planetary arm (L).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed. )
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of Ratio RS = RL[1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N
S)] if the driver is the sun wheel and the follower is the planetary arm the resulting
ratio is RL = RS / [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
ratio r5a = RL / RS = 1 / [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Example 6..
The driver is the planetary Arm ( L ).
The follower is the sun (S).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed.

Note NS = NA + NB + ND
Rotation (CW= +ve) from action....................Nx =
number of teeth

Action

L A B-D

Turn whole gear through 1 rev CW 1 1 1

Fix L and rotate A back CCW 1 rev 0 -1 + NA / NB

+ ( NA / NB).( N D / N S)

Add the two motions above

1 0 1 + ( NA / NB) 1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)

Summary : Rotation of the shaft L - 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the shaft (S)
1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S) revs (CW).
Ratio RS = RL [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)]
ratio r6 = RS / RL = [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Example 6a.. Arrangement as above
The driver is the sun ( S ).
The follower is the planetary arm (L).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed. )
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of Ratio RS = RL[1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N
S)] if the driver is the sun wheel and the follower is the planetary arm the resulting
ratio is RS = RL / [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
ratio r6a = RL / RS = 1 / [1 + ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Example 7..
The driver is the planetary Arm ( L ).
The follower is the sun (S).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed.

Note NS = NA + NB - ND
Rotation (CW= +ve) from action-...................... Nx
= number of teeth

Action

L A B-D

Turn whole gear through 1 rev CW 1 1 1

Fix L and rotate A back CCW 1 rev 0 -1 + NA / NB

- ( NA / NB).( N D / N S)

Add the two motions above

1 0 1 + ( NA / NB) 1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)

Summary : Rotation of the shaft L 1 rev CW results in the rotation of the shaft (S) 1 ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S) revs (CW).
Ratio 1: [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B . N S)]
ratio r7 = RS / RL = [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]

Example 7a.. Arrangement as above

The driver is the sun ( S ).
The follower is the planetary arm (L).
The the Ring gear (A) is fixed. )
The analysis is as above resulting in a ratio of Ratio RS = RL[1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N
S)]
if the driver is the sun wheel and the follower is the planetary arm the resulting ratio
is RL = RS / [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
ratio r7a = RL / RS = 1 / [1 - ( NA . ND)/( N B. N S)]
Epi-cyclic gear Train Variations
The figure below shows the range of possible epicylclic gear arrangements.. Those
in section I & III are classed as simple arrangements because the planet gears mesh
with both sun gears. Those in sections II & IV are classed as complex trains
because the planet gears partially match with each other and partially mesh with the
sun gears.

Calculation of epicyclic Gear Ratio using Equations

1) First calculate the ratio of the gears with the planet carrier fixed..

r f = () Product of Driving Gear Teeth /Product of Driven Gear Teeth

Note: when two external gears are in contact there is a sign change (change of
direction) when an internal gear meshes with an external gear both gears rotate in
the same direction and there is no change in direction..
2) Designate and input gear (x) and an output gear (y).
The speed of the input gear relative to the carrier arm = x - L
The speed of the output gear relative to the carrier arm = y - L
3) The train value with the carrier fixed =

rf=(y-L)/(x-L)
This relationship is used to solve the planetary gear train ratios.
Using this method for the examples above
Example 1.
1) r f = (NA /NP ).( - NP /NS )= - NA /NS
2) Select A as input speed = 0 and S as output speed (unknown) .

3) r f = ( S - L ) / ( A - L ) Therefore
S/ L = 1 - r f

- r f. L = ( S - L ) Therefore

S/ L = 1 + NA /NS

Example 2.
1) r f = (-NS /NP ).( NP /NA )= - NS /NA
2) Select S as input speed and A as output speed . L =0
3) r f = ( A - L ) / ( S - L ) Therefore A / S = r f
A/ S = - NS /NA
Example 3.
1) r f = (-NS /NP ).( NP /NA )= - NS /NA
2) Select S as input speed and L as output speed . S =0
3) r f = ( A - L ) / ( S - L ) Therefore r f = 1 - A / L
resulting in A / L = NS /NA + 1.
A/ L = 1 + NS /NA
Example 4.
1) r f = (NA /NB ).(ND /NS )= ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
2) Select A as input speed = 0 and S as output speed. (solve for S/ L)
3) r f = ( S - L ) / ( A - L ) Therefore 1 - r f = S / L
S/ L = 1 - ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
Example 5.
1) r f = (NA /NB ).( - ND /NS )= - ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
2) Select A as input speed = 0 and S as output speed. (solve for S/ L)
3) r f = ( S - L ) / ( A - L ) Therefore 1 - r f = S / L
S/ L = 1 + ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
Example 6.
1) r f = (- NA /NB ).( ND /NS )= - ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
2) Select A as input speed = 0 and S as output speed. (solve for S/ L)
3) r f = ( S - L ) / ( A - L ) Therefore 1 - r f = S / L
S/ L = 1 + ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )

Example 7.
1) r f = (- NA /NB ).(- ND /NS )= ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
2) Select A as input speed = 0 and S as output speed. (solve for S/ L)
3) r f = ( S - L ) / ( A - L ) Therefore 1 - r f = S / L
S/ L = 1 - ( N A.N D) / (NB .NS )
Calculating ratios by using the instantaneous planet gear velocities
This method analyses the motion of one planet gear. The centre moves at the same
velocity as the carrier , the pitch velocity at the teeth mating with ring is the same as
that of the pitch velocity of the ring and the pitch velocity of the teeth in contact
with the sun gear moves at the same velocity as the pitch velocity of the sun gear.
Looking for example at the Planetary arrangement the ring gear is fixed vA = 0 , the
driver is the carrier with a speed vL = L RL
Note: RL = (RA+ RS ) /2
The velocity at the pitch line mating with the Sun wheel vS is clearly 2.vL.
From this relationship the gear ratios can easily be calculated as shown below.

The calculations use procedures, algorithms and data from standards ANSI, ISO, DIN, BS and
specialized literature.
List of standards: ISO 6336, ISO 1328, DIN 867, DIN 3960, DIN 3990, ISO 6336-5 and others.