Operating Temperatures of Oil-Lubricated Medium-Speed Gears: Numerical Models and Experimental Results

Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of gear geometry, rotational speed and applied load, as well as lubrication conditions on surface temperature of high-speed gear teeth. The analytical approach and procedure for estimating frictional heat ¯ux and heat transfer coef®cients of gear teeth in high-speed operational conditions was developed and accounts for the effect of oil mist as a cooling medium. Numerical simulations of tooth temperature based on ®nite element analysis were established to investigate temperature distributions and variations over a range of applied load and rotational speed, which compared well with experimental measurements. A sensitivity analysis of surface temperature to gear con®guration, frictional heat ¯ux, heat transfer coef®cients, and oil and ambient temperatures was conducted and the major parameters in¯uencing surface temperature were evaluated