Experimental Research
Planetary Test Stand:
The Planetary
Test Stand is the latest piece of equipment added to the Dynamics and
Vibrations Lab. This stand was purchased with a $500k grant from the
Army Research Office. Another $300k grant from the ARO allowed for the
purchase of fixtures for testing the first set of planetary gears: a gearset
from a Bell Helicopter OH-58D Warrior. Further funding will be spent
on a custom designed set of gears that will not be specific to any
particular helicopter or helicopter manufacturer. These gears will be
designed in such a way that their behavior will highlight rich dynamic
response. As well, variability will be designed into the gearset.
We will easily be able to vary parameters such as mesh phasing and number of
planets. If when we cut more planet gears, we can look into the
effects of tooth profile modifications and tooth finishing. The test
stand will also allow for studies into manufacturing errors, loss of
lubrication, dirty lubrication, and more. This project has gained the
attention of not only helicopter companies, but automotive manufactures
(support from Ford Motor Company) and government research offices.
Idler Test Stand:
The Idler Test
Stand seeks to experimentally determine the dynamics of a three-gear in-line
system for comparison with an analytical model also developed in the
Dynamics and Vibrations Lab of the Mechanical Engineering Department of The
Ohio State University. The system uses a back-to-back recirculating
power loop and a 20 hp DC drive motor. Accelerometers and displacement
probes are used are used to capture dynamics from speed sweep and impact
testing. This project has served as a great launching pad for the
dynamics of planetary gears experiments we will pursue next (Planetary Stand).
