Effect of gear tooth faults on time varying mesh stiffness of spur gear pair

Abstract

This paper presents, a computer simulation based analytical approach to quantify the time varying mesh stiffness (TVMS) reduction of gear pair due to various gear tooth faults. Gear faults affecting transmission of gear pair are always accompanied by a stiffness reduction. TVMS is an important parameter in condition monitoring and to understand the dynamics of meshing gear pair. Potential energy method is one of the most widely used analytical methods to calculate TVMS. In this paper, reduction of gear mesh stiffness has been studied for three gear faults: cracked tooth, chipped tooth and spalled tooth using potential energy method. The results show that due to presence of gear faults the TVMS reduces which will affect the vibration response of spur gear pair.