Operating temperatures of oil-lubricated medium-speed gears: numerical models and experimental results

This paper investigates the effects of gear geometry, rotational speed and applied load, as well as lubrication conditions on surface temperature of high-speed gear teeth. The analytical approach and procedure for estimating frictional heat flux and heat transfer coefficients of gear teeth in high-speed operational conditions was developed and accounts for the effect of oil mist as a cooling medium. Numerical simulations of tooth temperature based on finite element analysis were established to investigate temperature distributions and variations over a range of applied load and rotational speed, which compared well with experimental measurements. A sensitivity analysis of surface temperature to gear configuration, frictional heat flux, heat transfer coefficients, and oil and ambient temperatures was conducted and the major parameters influencing surface temperature were evaluated.