Theory of Machines (TMC620S)

Laboratory #2 – Coupled Epicyclic Gears

Date: Groups: 1 & 2 (10:30-12:30) on Monday 7th Nov. 2022

Groups: 3 & 4 (10:30-12:30) on Wednesday 9th Nov. 2022.
Due date: 1 week after the lab @ 23:59 – via email <azulu@nust.na>
Duration: 1 hour

Objectives
To investigate the torque and efficiency characteristics and determine the gear ratios of a set of
coupled epicyclic gears.

Theory
The Cussons coupled epicyclic gear unit is used as a simple machine in order to investigate ve-
locity and torque ratios.

Let T and Θ represent torque and angular displacement respectively, with subscripts i and o for
input and output respectively. Then:
To o
Work input = Ti i ; work output = To o | Efficiency,  =
Tii

Figure 1. Cussons coupled epicyclic gear unit (schematic).

[For 1st gear lock ‘D’; for 2nd gear lock ‘C’ and for reverse gear lock ‘H’].

Apparatus

Figure 2 below shows the 2-speed and 3-speed epicyclic gear units.
 Figure 2. Cussons coupled epicyclic gear unit.

Procedure

Figure 3. Epicyclic gearset as a simple machine.

1. Measure the corresponding angular displacements at the input and output sides and
compare their ratio with the calculated gear ratio. For first gear lock ‘D’; for second gear lock
‘C’ and for reverse gear lock ‘H’ (Figure 1).
2. Determine the minimum effort required at the input side to raise a series of loads (at least 5
for each case) at the output side by attaching masses to the load hangers (Figure 3).

Results/Discussion

1. Determine theoretically the gear ratios for ‘first’, ‘second’ and ‘reverse’ gears and compare
with the manufacturer’s designed ratios of 0.25, 0.4375, and -0.125, respectively.
2. Determine experimentally the gear ratios for ‘first’, ‘second’ and ‘reverse’ gears and compare
with theoretical values.
3. Plot graphs of Ti vs. To and η vs. To for the ‘first’, ‘second’ and ‘reverse’ gears.

4. Determine the gear ratios for the first, second, third, fourth and reverse gears from the
measurements taken.

Conclusions/Recommendations

Draw your conclusions from the results obtained in your experiment based on the two objectives
of this laboratory session. Make recommendations as to how the accuracy of the readings can
be improved or any other relevant recommendations.

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