Parallel power paths and compactness of gear transmissions

Developments in mechanical power transmission have hinged around better materials and processes, new design ideas and effective new application of enduring scientific design principles and ideas. The current presentation aims at showing how deliberate measures to optimize load distribution have increased the compactness and capabilities of present day gear transmissions. Exploitation of parallel power paths, packing of gears in annular spaces and the effective use of epicyclic action by reducing the number of gear meshes and substituting rolling friction are explained.