Planetary gear
part · 1781 · Industrial Revolution
Planet gears around a central sun gear; Watt used a “sun and planet” gear.
Principles and materials it uses
- Iron — is made of. Watt’s gear was cast iron and iron.
- Torque — uses. It transmits rotation through planet gears.
Where it is used
- Watt steam engine — is part of. Watt’s “sun and planet” gear got around the patent on the crank.
- Hybrid car — is part of. The Toyota Hybrid System splits power with a planetary gear.
- Wind turbine — is part of. A gearbox raises the speed.
- Automatic transmission — is part of. Planetary gear sets.
What it is a kind of
- Differential — includes. A differential is a planetary mechanism.
- Gear — is a kind of. A kind of gear train.
- Hub gear — includes. A planetary gear.