Recent Advances in the Analysis of Spiral Bevel Gears
A review of recent progress for the analysis of spiral bevel gears will be described. The foundation of this work relies on the description of the gear geometry of face-milled spiral bevel gears via the approach developed by Litvin. This methodology was extended by combining the basic gear design data with the manufactured surfaces using a differential geometry approach, and provides the data necessary for assembling three-dimensional finite element models. The finite element models have been utilized to conduct thermal and structural analysis of the gear system. Examples of the methods developed for thermal and structural/contact analysis are presented.
Kinematical Optimization of Spiral Bevel Gears
Kinematical optimization and sensitivity analysis of circular-cut spiral bevel gears are investigated in this paper. Based on the Gleason spiral bevel gear generator and EPG test machine, a mathematical model is proposed to simulate the tooth contact conditions of the spiral bevel gear set. All the machine settings and assembly data are simulated by simplified parameters. The tooth contact patterns and kinematic errors are obtained by the proposed mathematical model and the tooth contact analysis techniques. Loaded tooth contact patterns are obtained by the differential geometry and the Hertz contact formulas. Tooth surface sensitivity due to the variation of machine settings is studied. The corrective machine settings can be calculated by the sensitive matrix and the linear regression method. An optimization algorithm is also developed to minimize the kinematic errors and the discontinuity of tooth meshing. According to the proposed studies, an improved procedure for development of spiral bevel gears is suggested. The results of this paper can be applied to determine the sensitivity and precision requirements in manufacturing, and improve the running quality of the spiral bevel gears. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the applications of the optimization model.
Role of the coronoid process in varus osteoarticular stability of the elbow.
The role of the coronoid process in varus osteoarticular stability of the elbow was investigated in 10 cadaveric elbows. Testing was performed at multiple flexion angles after incremental removal of the coronoid. At each flexion angle, removal of more than 50% of the coronoid produced a statistically significant decrease in the load resisting varus displacement compared with all lesser resection levels (P < .003). There was a trend for decreasing load after removal of 50% of the coronoid. The mean decrease in load across all flexion angles was 10.1%, 50.4%, and 75.4% after removal of 50%, 75%, and 100% of the coronoid, respectively. Resistance to varus displacement tended to decrease more as a percent of control at lower flexion angles than at higher flexion angles after removal of more than 50% of the coronoid. The coronoid process was found to be a key varus stabilizer in the elbow and may contribute more to elbow stability in extension than in flexion.