Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-mesh gear system, such as an epicyclic gear system, in which (a) optimal performance is not load-specific and (b) the same profile modifications can be applied on both flanks of the common gear. This is accomplished through a novel combination of a constant system contact ratio and gearing having mesh stiffness variation reducing, or MSVR, modifications. An MSVR modification, such as Differential Crowning, will minimize the self-excited component of dynamic load for gear meshes across different operating loads, resulting in an optimized gearset. The specification of a substantially constant contact ratio for the multi-mesh gear system allows the same MSVR modification to be used on both tooth flanks of the common gear, reducing the cost and complexity of manufacture.

Abstract: A form of gearing having teeth with different face widths along the tooth height and a method thereof of designing and manufacturing. Different gear tooth face widths are introduced along the tooth height to alter the tooth stiffness characteristic to provide a pair of gears with reduced mesh stiffness variation. The use of variable face widths along the tooth height changes both the geometric properties of the tooth and the load distribution/concentration to reduce the self-excited component of dynamic load, in effect reducing gear noise and increasing power density.