A genetic algorithm for epicyclic gear trains

Generation of epicyclic gear trains with up to eight-links has been reported recently. Almost all the works reported so far deals with the generation of distinct graphs and then go for reverse transformation. It is desirable to know the characteristics inherent to the structure so that best chain can be selected from the numerous distinct chains (gear trains) with the same number of links and degree-of-freedom. In order to accomplish this, quantitative measures are developed in a very simple way, using some of the principles of the genetic process. These measures are used to test isomorphism and to know relatively the characteristics like speed ratios and transmission efficiency. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.