1. What is Planetary Gear Ratio?

The planetary gear ratio determines the relationship between the input and output speeds in a planetary gear system. It's calculated based on the number of teeth in the ring gear and sun (pinion) gear.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the planetary gear ratio formula:

Where:

• Ring Teeth — Number of teeth in the ring gear
• Pinion Teeth — Number of teeth in the sun (pinion) gear

Explanation: The ratio represents how many times the input must rotate to make the output rotate once.

3. Importance of Gear Ratio Calculation

Details: Accurate gear ratio calculation is crucial for designing gear systems with the desired speed and torque characteristics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of teeth for both the ring gear and pinion gear. Both values must be positive integers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical planetary gear ratio?
A: Common ratios range from 3:1 to 10:1, but can be higher depending on the application.

Q2: How does this differ from simple gear ratio?
A: Planetary systems offer more compact designs and can achieve higher reduction ratios in less space.

Q3: What affects the maximum possible ratio?
A: Physical size constraints and the minimum number of teeth that can be practically manufactured on the pinion gear.

Q4: Can planetary gears increase speed?
A: Yes, when used in reverse (output taken from the sun gear), they can increase speed while reducing torque.

Q5: What are common applications?
A: Automatic transmissions, helicopter rotors, wind turbines, and precision machinery often use planetary gears.