NASA Gear Research and tts Probable Effect on Rotorcraft Transmission Design

NASA Lewis Research Center devised a comprehensive gear technology research program beginning July 1969. The results of the NASA gear research are being integrated into the NASA civilian Helicoper Transmission System Technology Program. The paper reviews the results of this gear research and those programs which are presently being undertaken. Research programs studying pitting fatigue, gear steels and processing, life prediction methods, gear design and dynamics, elastohydrodynamic lubrication, lubrication methods and gear noise are presented. The impact of advanced gear research technology on rotorcraft transmission design is discussed.