66

b
c

f a b'
Driver c' Driven
f' a
d e d'

e'
Speed ratio

One driver revolution

FIGURE 2.30
Multiple-sector gear characteristics.

uniform speed, each differing from the others. For sector gears to work properly together,
it is necessary that the arcs that mesh together be equal in length (ab = ab, cd = cd, etc.)
and that the sum of the arc lengths on one gear be equal to the sum of the arc lengths on
the other (ab + cd + ef = ab + cd + ef). Also, the sum of the radii of each two arcs together
must be equal to the distance between the centers of the gears. Sector gears are somewhat
difficult to construct because considerable care must be taken to ensure that no two sectors
of the driver gear mesh at the same time with the driven gear. To illustrate, suppose that
the arcs ab and ab mesh together at the same time as do the arcs ef and ef; that is, that the
last few teeth of ab mesh with the driven gear at the moment when the first few teeth of cf
do the same. The driven gear will then strive to drive the driven gear at its maximum and
minimum speeds at the same time, an attempt that must obviously result in a fracture. In
the figure, the arc cf ceases to mesh with the driven gear at the moment when the arc ab
begins to gear. Thus, each arc of the driver must escape engagement just in time for its suc-
cessor to begin engagement, and yet leave between these events no appreciable interval to
disturb the uniformity of motion.
In actuality, a discontinuous condition will exist for all sector-type gears at the time
when different sectors exchange control of the speed of the driven member. These seem-
ingly instantaneous periods of acceleration and deceleration limit the application of such
gears to very low speeds lest the acceleration becomes exceedingly large.

2.2 Nomenclature of Gears

In this part of the chapter the technical nomenclature of the various types of gears is given.
Table 2.2 shows metric system symbols and English system symbols. The following tables
(due to space limitations) show nomenclature tables in English symbols only.
Gear Types and Nomenclature 67

TABLE 2.2
Gear Terms, Symbols, and Units Used in the Calculation of Gear Dimensional Data
Metric English
Term Symbol Units Symbol Units
Number of teeth, pinion z1 NP or n
Number of teeth, gear z2 NG or N
Number of threads, worm z1 NW
Number of crown teeth z Nc
Tooth ratio u mG
Addendum, pinion ha1 mm aP in.
Addendum, gear ha2 mm aG in.
Addendum, chordal ha mm ac in.
Rise of arc mm in.
Dedendum hf mm b in.
Working depth h mm hk in.
Whole depth h mm ht in.
Clearance c mm c in.
Tooth thickness s mm t in.
Arc tooth thickness, pinion s1 mm tP in.
Arc tooth thickness, gear s2 mm tG in.
Tooth thickness, chordal s mm tc in.
Backlash, transverse j mm B in.
Backlash, normal jn mm Bn in.
Pitch diameter, pinion dp1 mm d in.
Pitch diameter, gear dp2 mm D in.
Pitch diameter, cutter dp0 mm dc in.
Base diameter, pinion db1 mm db in.
Base diameter, gear db2 mm Db in.
Outside diameter, pinion da1 mm do in.
Outside diameter, gear da2 mm Do in.
Inside diameter, face gear di2 mm Di in.
Root diameter, pinion or worm df1 mm dR in.
Root diameter, gear df2 mm DR in.
Form diameter df mm df in.
Limit diameter dl mm dl in.
Excess involute allowance dl mm d1 in.
Ratio of diameters m
Center distance a mm C in.
Face width b mm F in.
Net face width b mm Fe in.
Module, transverse m or mt mm
Module, normal mn mm
Diametral pitch, transverse Pd or Pt in.1
Diametral pitch, normal Pn in.1
Circular pitch p mm p in.
Circular pitch, transverse pt mm pt in.
Circular pitch, normal pn mm pn in.
(continued)
68

TABLE 2.2 (Continued)

Gear Terms, Symbols, and Units Used in the Calculation of Gear Dimensional Data
Metric English
Term Symbol Units Symbol Units
Base pitch pb mm pb in.
Axial pitch px mm px in.
Lead (length) pz mm L in.
Pressure angle or t deg or t deg
Pressure angle, normal n deg n deg
Pressure angle, axial x deg x deg
Pressure angle of cutter 0 deg c deg
Helix angle deg deg
Lead angle deg deg
Shaft angle deg deg
Roll angle r deg r deg
Pitch angle, pinion 1 deg deg
Pitch angle, gear 2 deg deg
Pi
Contact ratio a mp
Zone of action ga mm Z in.
Edge radius, tool rao mm rT in.
Radius of curvature, root fillet f mm f in.
Circular thickness factor k k
Cone distance R mm A in.
Outer cone distance Ra mm Ao in.
Mean cone distance Rm mm Am in.
Inner cone distance Rf mm Ai in.
Note: Abbreviations for units: mm = millimeters, in. = inches, deg = degrees.

2.2.1 Spur Gear Nomenclature and Basic Formulas

Figure 2.31 shows tooth elements that apply directly to spur gears. The same elements
apply to other gear types.
Table 2.3 shows spur gear formulas. Note that the value of may need to be used as
3.14159265 when very precise calculations are needed. Also, the determination of tooth
thickness has complications of what backlash is needed and effects of long or short adden-
dum. (These matters are covered later in this book.)

2.2.2 Helical Gear Nomenclature and Basic Formulas

Helical gear teeth spiral a base cylinder. The angle of this spiral with respect to the axis
is the helix angle. The advance of the spiral in going 360 around the base cylinder is a
fixed quantity called the lead.
The spur gear tooth is parallel to the axis. This means that a spur gear can be thought of
a special case of a helical gear in which the numerical value of the lead is infinity!
Figure 2.32 shows the nomenclature of helical gear teeth. View (a) shows a section
through the teeth that is perpendicular to the gear axis. This is known as the transverse
Gear Types and Nomenclature 69

Whole depth Working Tooth llet

Bottom
depth
land
lar
Circu
pitch
Top land

Chordal Tooth
addendum Backlash prole
Clearance
Circular thickness
Chordal thickness

us
Base circular

di
Addendum

ra
thickness

h
tc
Pi
Base Dedendum
radiu
s

FIGURE 2.31
Spur gear nomenclature.

section. View (b) shows how a normal section data can be taken through a tooth perpen-
dicular to a point on the pitch helix.
Both the transverse section and the normal section data must be used in helical gear cal-
culations. Table 2.4 shows the formulas needed to calculate date for both of these sections.
A rack is a gear part in which the number of teeth in a 360 circle is infinite. Circular
gears, of course, become straight when the radius of curvature is infinite.

TABLE 2.3
Spur Gear Formulas
To Find Having Formula
N
Diametral pitch Number of teeth and pitch diameter P
D
3.1416 a
Diametral pitch Circular pitch P
p
N
Pitch diameter Number of teeth and diametral pitch D
P
Outside diameter Pitch diameter and addendum Do = D + 2a
Root diameter Outside diameter and whole depth DR = Do 2ht
Root diameter Pitch diameter and dedendum DR = D 2b
Number of teeth Pitch diameter and diametral pitch N=DP
Base-circle diameter Pitch diameter and pressure angle Db = D cos
3.1416D
Circular pitch Pitch diameter and number of teeth p
N
3.1416
Circular pitch Diametral pitch p
P
Center distance Number of gear teeth and number of N G + N P DG + DP
C= =
pinion teeth and diametral pitch 2P 2
1.5708
Approximate thickness of tooth Diametral pitch tt 
P
a Exact value for is 3.14159265.
70

Transverse
pressure
Normal plane angle Normal
pressure
Pitch helix angle

Addendum
Dedendum
Pitch Normal
Whole circle helix
depth
Base
circle Perpendicular
Form radius Root radius to gear axis
Pitch radius Base radius
Outside radius Gear axis
Gear axis
(a) (b)
Normal
circular Normal plane
Normal plane pitch
Transverse
circular Pitch helix
pitch

Normal Normal
helix helix
Base Pitch Outside Base Pitch
circle circle helix angle circle circle
Base
pitch Pitch helix angle
Gear axis Base helix angle Gear axis

(c) (d)

FIGURE 2.32
Helical gear nomenclature.

Involute teeth become straight-sided for the rack tooth form. Figure 2.33 shows rack
tooth parts for spur, helical, and straight bevel teeth. The helical rack shows very clearly
the difference between the normal plane and the front plane (which corresponds to the
transverse plane of circular gears).

2.2.3 Internal Gear Nomenclature and Formulas

The internal gear has teeth on the inside of a ring rather than on the outside. An internal
gear must mesh with a pinion having external teeth. (Two internal gears cannot mesh with
each other.)
The nomenclature for the transverse section of an internal gear drive is shown in Figure 2.34.
Note that the internal tooth tends to have concave curves rather than convex curves. Also note
that the pips of the teeth tend almost to hit each other as they enter and leave the meshing zone.
Formulas for internal gear dimensions are given in Table 2.5. Note that some of these
formulas are similar to formulas in Table 2.3 (except of minus sign).
Internal gears may be either spur or helical. It the teeth are helical, data for the teeth in
the normal section may be determined by formulas in Table 2.4.

2.2.4 Crossed-Helical Gear Nomenclature and Formulas

Since the axes of crossed-helical gears are not parallel to each other and do not intersect,
the two meshing gears tend to have different helix angles. (If the numerical amount of
Gear Types and Nomenclature 71

TABLE 2.4
Helical Gear Formulas
To Find Having Formula
N
Normal diametral pitch Number of teeth, pitch diameter, and helix angle Pn =
D cos
3.1416
Normal diametral pitch Normal circular pitch Pn 
pn
P
Normal diametral pitch Transverse diametral pitch and helix angle Pn =
cos
3.1416
Normal circular pitch Normal diametral pitch pn 
Pn
Normal circular pitch Transverse circular pitch pn = p cos
Pitch diameter Number of teeth, normal diametral pitch, and N
D=
helix angle Pn cos
DP + DG
Center distance Pinion and gear pitch diameter C=
2
Outside diameter Pitch diameter and addendum Do = D + 2a
1.571
Approximate normal tooth Normal diametral pitch tn 
Pn
thickness
tn
Transverse tooth thickness Normal tooth thickness and helix angle tt =
cos
Normal pressure angle Transverse pressure angle and helix angle tan n = tan cos

Tooth thickness Circular pitch

Spur rack

Normal plane
Normal
pitch
line Lead
angle
Circular pitch Helix angle
Front plane
Helical rack

Gear axis

Straight bevel rack

FIGURE 2.33
Spur, helical, and bevel gear racks.
72

Point at which Point at which

contact nishes contact starts

Line of action Common

or contact tangent
Pressure
angle
Pitch
point

pit ular
Pit

ch
dia ch
of tooth Circ

ia .
.

se d
Ins
Thickness

distance

Ba
Center

dei
dia
.
Base dia.
Working
depth
Whole depth
Root dia.

h
Pitc
dia.
Addendum

Clearance Dedendum

Chordal
Arc thickness
thickness

Chordal
Addendum addendum

Rise of arc

FIGURE 2.34
Internal gear and pinion nomenclature.

TABLE 2.5
Internal Spur Gear Formulas
To Find Having Formula
NG
Pitch diameter of gear Number of teeth in gear and diametral pitch D
P
NP
Pitch diameter of pinion Number of teeth in pinion and diametral pitch d
P
Internal diameter, gear Pitch diameter and addendum Di = D 2a
Center distance Number of teeth in gear and pinion; diametral N NP
C= G
pitch 2P
Dd
Center distance Pitch diameter of gear and pinion C=
2
Gear Types and Nomenclature 73

Driven
Shaft Helix angle
angle of driver
1

2 Helix angle of driven

Axis of driven
Driver

Axis of driver

FIGURE 2.35
Crossed-helical shaft angle and helix.

TABLE 2.6
Crossed-Helical Gear (Nonparallel Shaft, Helicals)
To Find Having Formula
Shaft angle Helix angle of pinion and helix angle of gear = P + G
Pitch diameter of pinion Number of teeth in pinion, normal diametral pitch, NP
DP =
and helix angle of pinion Pn cos P
Pitch diameter of gear Number of teeth in gear, normal diametral pitch, NG
DG =
and helix angle of gear Pn cos G
Center distance Pitch diameter of pinion, and pitch diameter of DP + Dg
gear C=
2
Speed ratio Number of teeth in gear, and number of teeth in NG
mG 
pinion NP

each helix angle is the same, then the two gears cannot have opposite helix angles because
this would make the axes parallel instead of crossed.) Figure 2.35 shows standard nomen-
clature for thecrossed axis situation with helical gears. The basic formulas are given in
Table 2.6.

2.2.5 Bevel Gear Nomenclature and Formulas

Section 2.1.3 gave general information on gear types in bevel gear family of gears.
Nomenclature and formulas will now be given for three of these types that are in rather
common usage.

2.2.5.1 Straight
Figure 2.36 shows a section through of a pair of straight bevel gears in mesh. Note how the
teeth are on the outside of cones. Dimensions are measured to a crown point that exists
in space but may not exist in metal! (Usually this sharp corner is rounded off in the process
of actual manufacture.)
74

Pitch apex to back

Pitch apex to crown Crown
to back
Crown

Pitch
apex Pinion A
Face e um
angle t anc dend
is De gle
ed an
Uniform
con clearance
ter Ro
u an t o Shaft
O Pi gle angle
e an tch
Fac th gl
wid Front angle e

Gear
Back
angle

Pitch diameter
Outside diameter

ce
an
A
t
dis
Back
ne

cone
co
ck
Ba

FIGURE 2.36
Bevel gear nomenclature.

The formulas for the straight bevel are given in Table 2.7. By tradition, the pitch
diameters are taken at the large end of the tooth. This end also goes by names such
asthebackface or the heel end. (The other end of the tooth is termed the front face or toe
end.)

2.2.5.2 Spiral
The spiral bevel gear has a curved shape (lengthwise). This curved shape is positioned
at an angle to a pitch cone element. The angle at the center of the face width (not the
large end of the tooth where the pitch diameter is specified). Figure 2.37 shows the spiral
angle.
The formulas for conventional spiral bevel gears are given in Table 2.8. Spiral bevel gears
are often made to pressure angles other than 20. They can also be made for shaft angles
other than 90. Beyond this, there is more than one system for the design and manufacture
of bevel gears. Considerably more bevel gear data can be found out in later chapters of the
book.

2.2.5.3 Zerol
The Zerol bevel gear tooth has lengthwise curvature like the spiral bevel gear tooth. At the
center of the face width, though, the spiral angle is 0.
Gear Types and Nomenclature 75

TABLE 2.7
Straight Bevel Gear Formulas (20 Pressure Angle, 90 Shaft Angle)
To Find Having Formula
NP
Pitch diameter of pinion Number of pinion teeth and diametral pitch d
Pd
NG
Pitch diameter of gear Number of gear teeth and diametral pitch D
Pd

Pitch angle of pinion Number of pinion teeth and number of gear NP

= tan 1
teeth NG
Pitch angle of gear Pitch angle of pinion = 90
D
Outer cone distance of Gear pitch diameter and pitch angle of gear Ao =
2 sin
pinion and gear
3.1416
Circular pitch of pinion and Diametral pitch p
gear Pd

boP
Dedendum angle of pinion Dedendum of pinion and outer cone distance P = tan 1
Ao

boG
Dedendum angle of gear Dedendum of gear and outer cone distance G = tan 1
Ao
Face angle of pinion blank Pinion pitch angle and dedendum angle of gear o = + G
Face angle of gear blank Gear pitch angle and dedendum angle of pinion o = + P
Root angle of pinion Pitch angle of pinion and dedendum angle of R = P
pinion
Root angle of gear Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of gear R = G
Outside diameter of pinion Pinion pitch diameter, pinion addendum, and do = d + 2aoP cos
pitch angle of pinion
Outside diameter of gear Pitch diameter of gear, gear addendum, and Do = D + 2aoG cos
pitch angle of gear
Pitch apex to crown of Pitch diameter of gear, addendum, and pitch D
xo = aoP sin
pinion angle of pinion 2
Pitch apex to crown of gear Pitch diameter of pinion, addendum, and pitch d
Xo = aoG sin
angle of gear 2
Circular tooth thickness of Circular pitch and gear circular tooth thickness t=pT
pinion
Chordal thickness of pinion Circular tooth thickness, pitch diameter of t3 B
pinion and backlash tc = t
6d 2 2
Chordal thickness of gear Circular tooth thickness, pitch diameter of gear T3 B
and backlash Tc = T
6D2 2
Chordal addendum of Addendum angle, circular tooth thickness, pitch t 2 cos
acP = aoP +
pinion diameter and pitch angle of pinion 4d
Chordal addendum of gear Addendum angle, circular tooth thickness, pitch T 2 cos
acG = aoG +
diameter and pitch angle of gear 4D
Tooth angle of pinion Outer cone distance, tooth thickness, dedendum 3.438 t
+ boP tan , min
of pinion, and pressure angle Ao 2

Tooth angle of gear Outer cone distance, tooth thickness, dedendum 3.438 T
+ boG tan , min
of gear, and pressure angle Ao 2

Note: tan1 means the angle whose tangent is.

76

Tooth spiral
Circular
pitch
Cone distance
Face
advance
Spiral
angle

Face
width

FIGURE 2.37
Spiral bevel gear nomenclature.

TABLE 2.8
Spiral Bevel Gear Formulas (20 Pressure Angle, 90 Shaft Angle)
To Find Having Formula

NP
Pitch diameter of pinion Number of pinion teeth and diametral pitch d
Pd

NG
Pitch diameter of gear Number of gear teeth and diametral pitch D
Pd

NP
Pitch angle of pinion Number of pinion teeth and number of gear teeth = tan 1
NG

Pitch angle of gear Pitch angle of pinion = 90

D
Outer cone distance of pinion and Pitch diameter of gear and pitch angle of gear Ao =
2 sin
gear
3.1416
Circular pitch of pinion and gear Diametral pitch p
Pd

boP
Dedendum angle of pinion Dedendum of pinion and outer cone distance P = tan 1
Ao

boG
Dedendum angle of gear Dedendum of gear and outer cone distance G = tan 1
Ao

Face angle of pinion blank Pitch angle of pinion and dedendum angle of gear o = + G
Face angle of gear blank Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of pinion o = + P
Root angle of pinion Pitch angle of pinion and dedendum angle of R = P
pinion
Root angle of gear Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of gear R = G
Outside diameter of pinion Pitch diameter, addendum, and pitch angle of do = d + 2aoP cos
pinion
Outside diameter of gear Pitch diameter, addendum, and pitch angle of gear Do = D + 2aoG cos
Pitch apex to crown of pinion Pitch diameter of gear, pitch angle, and addendum D
of pinion xo = aoP sin
2

Pitch apex to crown of gear Pitch diameter of gear, pitch angle, and addendum d
Xo = aoG sin
of gear 2
Circular tooth thickness of pinion Circular pitch of pinion and circular pitch of gear t=pT
Gear Types and Nomenclature 77

Zerol bevel gears

Right hand Left hand

Zerol bevel gears

Left hand Right hand

Zerol bevel pinions

FIGURE 2.38
Zerol bevel gear nomenclature.

TABLE 2.9
Zero Bevel Gear Formulas (20 Pressure Angle, 90 Shaft Angle)
To Find Having Formula
NP
Pitch diameter of pinion Number of pinion teeth and diametral pitch d
Pd
NG
Pitch diameter of gear Number of gear teeth and diametral pitch D
Pd

NP
Pitch angle of pinion Number of pinion teeth and number of gear teeth = tan 1
NG
Pitch angle of gear Pitch angle of pinion = 90
D
Outer cone distance of Pitch diameter of gear and pitch angle of gear Ao =
pinion and gear 2 sin
3.1416
Circular pitch of pinion Diametral pitch p
Pd
and gear
Face angle of pinion blank Pitch angle of pinion, and dedendum angle of gear o = + G
Face angle of gear blank Pitch angle of gear, and dedendum angle of pinion o = + P
Root angle of pinion Pitch angle of pinion and dedendum angle of pinion R = P
Root angle of gear Pitch angle of gear and dedendum angle of gear R = G
Outside diameter of pinion Pitch diameter, pitch angle, and dedendum of pinion do = d + 2aP cos
Outside diameter of gear Pitch diameter, pitch angle, and dedendum of gear Do = D + 2aG cos
Pitch apex to crown of Pitch diameter of gear, pitch angle, and addendum of D
xo = aP sin
pinion pinion 2
Pitch apex to crown of gear Pitch diameter of pinion, pitch angle, and addendum of d
Xo = aG sin
gear 2
Circular tooth thickness of Circular pitch of pinion and circular thickness of gear t=pT
pinion
Circular tooth thickness of Circular pitch, pressure angle, and addendum of pinion p
T= ( aP aG )tan
gear and gear 2
78

Figure 2.38 shows how the hand of Zerol bevel gear is designated. Note that a right-hand
spiral bevel pinion has to have left-hand spiral bevel gear to mesh with it, and vice versa.
This same rule applies to spiral bevel gears.
Table 2.9 shows formulas for Zerol bevel gears. Both Zerol and spiral bevel gears have
the pitch diameters specified at the large end of the tooth.

2.2.6 Worm Gear Nomenclature and Formulas

When the word worm is used in connection with gear types, the implication is that there is
some enveloping. A single-enveloping set of worm gears has a cylindrical worm in mesh
with a gear that is throated to tend to wrap around the worm. Figure 2.39 shows a typical
arrangement.
When both the worm and the gear wrap around each other, the combination is desig-
nated as double-enveloping. Figure 2.40 shows a typical arrangement of this kind.

Outside
diameter
Root
Addendum diameter Whole depth

Pitch Worm Dedendum

diameter

Center
distance Worm
wheel
Throat
diameter
Pitch Maximum
diameter diameter

Normal pressure angle

Lead angle
Addendum -A
on A Axial pressure angle
Secti

Dedendum
Pitch
A diameter
Normal
circular A
pitch
Axial pitch

FIGURE 2.39
Cylindrical worm gear nomenclature.
Gear Types and Nomenclature 79

Gear face
C
L 0.5 Gear
face

Gear throat dia.

ia .

Gear od
rcle d Gear axis
ci
B ase

Center distance
Gear face
angle
Max. hob

Max.
radius

Worm hob rad.

Worm od

face Gear hob

throat dia.

angle Worm axis radius

Worm

Begin
relief

0.5 worm 0.5 Gear width

Angular end face Gear
at od
Relief Worm face width
90 end Thrust shoulder at od

FIGURE 2.40
Double-enveloping worm gear nomenclature.

TABLE 2.10
Worm Gear Formulas
To Find Having Formula
Worm
Lead Number of threads in worm and axial pitch L = N W px
C 0.875 C 0.875
Pitch diameter Center distance d to
1.7 3
Rood diameter Outside diameter of pinion and whole depth of tooth dR = do 2ht
Outside diameter Pitch diameter and addendum do = d + 2a
2 2
Dt D
Minimum face Throat diameter, pitch diameter, and addendum f =2 a
2 2
L
Lead angle Lead and pitch diameter tan =
3.1416 d
Normal pitch Axial pitch and lead angle pn = p cos
Gear
N G px
Nominal pitch diameter Number of teeth in gear and axial pitch D=
3.1416
Throat diameter Nominal pitch diameter and addendum Dt = D + 2a
Effective face Pitch diameter and working depth Fe = (d + hk )2 d 2

Center distance Pitch diameter of gear and pitch diameter of worm D+d
C=
2
80

TABLE 2.11
Double-Enveloping Worm Gear Formulas
To Find Having Formula
Worm root diametera Pitch diameter of pinion and dedendum of gear dR = d 2bG
C 0.875
Worm root diametera Center distance dR  (approx.)
3
C 0.875
Worm pitch diametera Center distance d (approx.)
2.2
Gear pitch diameter Center distance and worm pitch diameter D = C 2d
D
Axial circle pitch Gear pitch diameter and number of teeth in gear px =
NG
Normal circular pitch Axial circular pitch and pitch cone angle of pinion pn = px cos
p
Whole depth of tooth a Normal circular pitch ht  n
2
Working depth of tootha Whole depth of tooth hk = 0.9ht
Dedenduma Working depth of tooth bG = 0.611hk
Normal pressure anglea n = 20
Axial pressure angle Normal pressure angle and lead angle at center of tan n
worm x = tan 1
cos c

D
Lead angle at center of worm Pitch diameter, gear ratio, and worm pitch diameter c = tan 1
mg d

0.87D
Lead angle averagea Pitch diameter, gear ratio, and worm pitch diameter = tan 1
mg d
a Proportions given in these formulas represent recommendations of Cone Drive gears. Cone Drive is a regis-
tered trademark of Cone Drive Textron, Traverse City, Michigan.

2.2.6.1 Cylindrical Worm Gears

The worm thread (of tooth) may be dimensioned in both a normal section and an axial
section. The traverse section is normally not used. Figure 2.39 shows the nomenclature
that is used.
The special formulas for worm gearing are given in Table 2.10. The pitch diameter of
the throated gear changes as you go across the face width. The standard practice is to

Outer diameter Gear Involute spur

Inner Face width axis pinion
diameter Pinion axis
Face to
mounting Pitch
Face to surface cone
Mounting
registering Registering
Mounting distance
surface surface
surface Face gear

FIGURE 2.41
On-center face gear nomenclature.
Gear Types and Nomenclature 81

TABLE 2.12
Face GearsOn-Center 90 Shaft Angle
To Find Having Formula
N G (from 1.5 to 12.5)
Gear ratio Number of gear and pinion teeth mG 
NP
Inside diameter Diametral pitch, number of gear and 1
Di = 8 N P + N G cos 2
pinion teeth, pressure angle P
Outside diameter (pointed Diametral pitch, number of gear teeth, N G cos sec o
DoG =
teeth) pressure angle, and tangency pressure P
angle (see Table 2.13)
D Di
Maximal face width Face-gear inside and outside diameters Fg = o
2
Face to pinion axis Pinion outside diameter and working do
Face to pinion axis = hk
depth of tooth 2
Face to mounting surface Mounting distance and face to pinion axis Face to mounting surface =
= mounting distance
face to pinion axis
Minimal number of teeth (see Table 2.14)
Source: Based on AGMA standard 203.03, Fine-Pitch On-Center Face Gears for 20-Degree Involute Spur Pinions.

take the pitch diameter at the center of the throat. Note the details of how this is done in
Figure 2.39.

2.2.6.2 Double-Enveloping Worm Gears

The typical style of design and the normal nomenclature for this kind of gearing is shown
in Figure 2.40. The pitch diameters are specified at the center of the throat on the worm and
the center of the throat of the gear.
The formulas for double-enveloping worm gears are given in Table 2.11.

2.2.7 Face Gears

The gear member of a face gear set has teeth cut on the end of a cylindrical blank. Figure
2.41 shows a typical face gear arrangement and the nomenclature used.
The formulas for an on-center 90shaft-angle set of face gears are given in Table 2.12.
Additional design data (for a standard design) are given in Tables 2.13 and 2.14.
There are other possible face gear designs with shaft angles that are not 90 or condi-
tions of not being on-center. These can be thought of as special designs and are beyond the
scope of this book.

2.2.8 Spiroid Gear Nomenclature and Formulas

There is a family of gears that is generally described by the names Spiroid and Helicon.
The gear member of each of these kinds of gear sets has teeth cut on the end of a blank.
The pinion member does not mesh on center but instead meshes with a considerable offset
from the central position. Figure 2.42 shows a standard Spiroid arrangement. The dimen-
sion A in Table 2.15 is the offset.
82

TABLE 2.13
Tangency Pressure Angle at Face Gear Outside Diameter
NP o sec o
12 40.765 1.3231
13 39.669 1.29913
14 38.692 1.28120
15 37.815 1.26583
16 37.022 1.25249
17 36.300 1.24081
18 36.012 1.23626
19 35.778 1.23261
20 35.557 1.22919
21 35.346 1.22598
22 35.145 1.22295
23 34.954 1.22009
24 34.771 1.21738
25 34.596 1.21481
26 34.429 1.21237
27 34.268 1.21005
28 34.113 1.20783
29 33.965 1.20572
30 33.821 1.20369
31 33.683 1.20176
32 33.550 1.19990
33 33.421 1.19812
34 33.297 1.19640
35 33.176 1.19475
36 33.059 1.19317
37 32.946 1.19164
38 32.837 1.19016
39 32.730 1.18874
40 32.627 1.18736
41 32.525 1.18602
42 32.427 1.18473
43 32.332 1.18352
44 32.240 1.18228
45 32.150 1.18111
46 32.061 1.17996
47 31.976 1.17887
48 31.893 1.17781
49 31.810 1.17675
50 31.734 1.17578
Gear Types and Nomenclature 83

TABLE 2.14
Minimum Numbers of Teeth in Pinion and Face Gear
Minimum Number of Teeth
Diametral Pitch Range Pinion Gear
2048 12 18
4952 13 20
5356 14 21
5760 15 23
6164 16 24
6568 17 26
6972 18 27
7376 19 29
7780 20 30
8184 21 32
8588 22 33
8992 23 35
9396 24 36
97100 25 38

The Spiroid pinion is tapered. The teeth spiral around the pinion somewhat like threads
on a worm, but they are on the surface of a cone rather than on a cylinder. The Helicon
pinion differs from the Spiroid pinion by being cylindrical. This makes it quite comparable
to a cylindrical worm.
Table 2.16 gives some formulas for Spiroid gear sets. Other dimensions needed to make
a standard design are given as part of Figure 2.42. Specific data for Helicon gear sets are
not given. The Spiroid Division of the Illinois Tool Works in Chicago, Illinois, should be
consulted for additional data.

2.2.9 Beveloid Gears

This special type of gear is patented by Vinco Corporation. Vinco Corporation went out
of business about twenty years ago, but this type of gear is still in use. Invincible Gear

Tapered Involute
outside cone helicoid
Dished Tapered
(or at) root
front face

Base
cylinder

FIGURE 2.42
Beveloid tooth and gear nomenclature.
84

TABLE 2.15
Spiroid Gear Dimensions
8
8
H point
C dia.
dia.
B dia. max.
8
A
Pinion OD

D K G F dia.
Gear dia. max. E max.
mtg. dist Pinion
mtg. dist

A B C D E F G H K
0.500 0.625 1.500 0.129 0.596 0.2969 0.365 1.101 0.2031
0.750 1.000 2.250 0.176 0.894 0.4219 0.548 1.651 0.2812
1.000 1.375 3.000 0.248 1.192 0.5938 0.731 2.202 0.3750
1.250 1.625 3.750 0.295 1.490 0.7031 0.914 2.752 0.4531
1.500 2.000 4.500 0.338 1.788 0.8281 1.096 3.303 0.5312
1.875 2.625 5.625 0.402 2.236 1.0156 1.370 4.129 0.6406
2.250 3.187 6.750 0.461 2.683 1.1562 1.644 4.954 0.7500
2.750 4.000 8.250 0.536 3.279 1.3594 2.010 6.055 0.8750
3.250 4.750 9.750 0.608 3.875 1.5625 2.375 7.156 1.0156
3.750 5.625 11.250 0.677 4.471 1.7656 2.741 8.257 1.1406
4.375 6.750 13.125 0.757 5.216 2.000 3.197 9.633 1.2969
5.125 8.000 15.375 0.851 6.111 2.2812 3.745 11.285 1.4844

Company in Livonia, Michigan, now holds the patent rights on this gear type and still
manufactures Beveloid gears.
Figure 2.24 shows a Beveloid gear and its features. Beveloid gears can be engaged with
spur gears, helical gears, cylindrical worms, racks, and other Beveloid gears. They can be
used with intersecting, parallel, or skew shafts. They are relatively insensitive to mounting
errors.

TABLE 2.16
Spiroid Gear Formulas
To Find Having Formula
NG
Ratio Number of teeth in gear, number of threads in pinion mG 
NP
Pinion spiral angle Theoretical lead, pinion OD cone angle, pinion pitch L sec
tan P =
radius 2 r

Gear spiral angle Ratio, pinion pitch radius, gear pitch radius, pinion r
sin G = mG sin P
spiral angle RG

1
Pinion pitch point Length of pinion primary pitch cone  axial length primary pitch
3
cone from small end