Efficiency of High-Speed Helical Gear Trains

An experimental and analytical comparison of the efficiency of high-speed helical gear trains is presented. An analysis of the gearing losses was conducted and was used as a comparison to the measured losses. Test data from a helical gear train at varying speeds and loads (to 3730 KW (5000 hp) and 15000 RPM) was collected. A comparison of the results indicated that drive system rotational speed had the most detrimental effect to the efficiency of the gear system at light load and windage losses approached or exceeded the gear meshing losses at high speed and load conditions.