An improved mesh stiffness calculation model for cracked helical gear pair with spatial crack propagation path

As one of the most common failure modes for helical gear system, the gear crack in helical gear pair is studied, the improved spatial crack propagation paths are modelled for helical gear pair based on helical gear crack failure mode in actual working condition, in the direction along tooth width, the crack initiates in one end face of gear, and it propagates to tooth addendum or opposite end of the gear, meanwhile, along crack depth direction, the crack propagation path is modelled into straight line or curved line. Furthermore, the limiting line, to characterize the crack effect, is simulated as straight line or curved line. Unlike previous studies, the transverse and axial gear foundation stiffness are modified due to gear crack. In addition to transverse and axial gear tooth stiffness. Based on the improved mesh stiffness calculation method for cracked helical gear pair, the influence of crack parameters and crack types on the time varying mesh stiffness of helical gear pair are studied, and the analytical calculated results are validated against the simulated results of FE (finite-element) models.