A New Continuous Contact Low-

K. Mitome
Lecturer.
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Noise Gear Pump
Faculty of Engineering,
Yamagafa University,
Developed is a new low-noise gear pump which has no trapping and whose gears are
Yonezawa, Yamagafa, Japan in continuous one-point contact in the plane of rotation. First this paper studies a
practical method to design the tooth profile of a spur gear for a given path of
contact. A new tooth profile is obtained by giving a closed path of contact like a
K. Seki figure 8. Basic dimensions are determined and limites of them are obtained. Both
Research Engineer. theoretical and approximate displacements are expressed in terms of the basic
Nippon Gerotor Corp., dimensions. Secondly, a helical gear pump is studied. The helical gear can be
Kumagaya, Saitama, Japan discussed in the same way as the spur gear by new basic dimensions. Finally some
test gear pumps are made and tested. Test prove that this gear pump has excellent
performance and durability.

1 Introduction
A few gear pumps having no trapping have been developed
so far. Many of them have the gear whose profile or whose
basic rack profile is a well-known curve [1-4]. On the other
hand, in this research, an approach to a new tooth profile is
through a path of contact [5]. This paper first discusses a
practical method to design the tooth profile for a given path
of contact, a new path of contact composed of parts of
eillipses and straight lines, the rack profile, basic dimensions,
both theoretical and approximate displacements, and the
helical gear. Finally it presents performance tests, which
prove that this gear pump has high efficiency, good suction
ability, no trapping, no pressure pulsation, and generates low
and almost constant noise in the region of the outlet pressure.

2 Path of Contact and Tooth Profile

2.1 Tooth Profile for a Given Path of Contact. Figure 1
shows a path of contact and tooth profiles. Here both xy and
XY coordinate systems are the same but the path of contact is
Fig. 1 Path of contact and tooth profiles
expressed by the xy system and the tooth profiles by the XY-
system. Let the path of contact be given by
y=f(x) (l) y d y
1! \ ,i
K= (3)
Now suppose that the rack contacts with the gear first at point - ! ( 1+ — I dx
Q and next at T on the path of contact. A point Tr (X, Y) The rack profile is obtained byx equations
dx / (1), (2), and (3). A
correspondent to T(x, y) is given as constant of integration in calculating K is obtained by [K\Q =
X=x-K, Y=y (2) 0, where point Q can be selected as the best point for the
The law of gearing states that a normal line to the rack profile convenience of calculating and drafting the tooth profile. The
at the point of contact T must pass through a pitch point gear profile is obtained as follows.
P(0.0). Then we have X=xcosQ— (y + r)smd
(dY/dX)twaa = (dY/dX) (y/x) = - 1
Y=xs\nd + (y + r)cos8 — r (4)
Substituting equation (2) into this equation, we get K as a
function of x and y. 6=K/r

where r is a pitch radius of the gear and is an angle of

Contributed by the Power Transmission and Gearing Committee for rotation.
publication in the JOURNAL OF MECHANISMS, TRANSMISSIONS, AND AUTOMATION
IN DESIGN. Manuscript received by the Committee November 19, 1982. 2.2 Path of Contact for the Gear Pump Profile. A

7 3 6 / Vol. 105, DECEMBER 1983 Transactions of the ASME

Copyright © 1983 by ASME

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 ontact

Contact

Fig. 2 Path of contact and rack profile for gear pump

closed path of contact Q1Q2Q1Q4 in Fig. 2 is expressed by

equations (5)-(8).
y = mx,m = tana0 (G3Q4) (5)
Fig. 3 Normal line to rack profile derived from path of contact
y = —mx (Q1G2) (6)
3 Basic Dimensions
x2/A2+(y-Q2/B2 =l (G2G3) (?)
x2/A2+(y + C)2/B2 =l 3.1 New Basic Parameters z, k, n, and r. As mentioned
(G1G4) (8) above, parameters A, B, and C determine the rack profile.
Equations (7) and (8) become equations (9) and (10) with Nowlet^4=ra, B = rb, and C=rc. Parameter r determines the
parameter f, respectively. size of the tooth, and parameters a, b, c determine the shape
x=Asin£,y=-Bcost+C (9) of the tooth profile. Here let us introduce new parameters:
number of teeth z, (B + C)/r = k, and C/B = n. Parameter k
x=-Asm{,y = Bcos{-C (10) determines the whole depth of tooth expressed by 2kr, and n
Points Qi(x0, -y0), Q2(-x0, y0) Q}(x0, yQ) and QA(-x0, determines the depth of the involute tooth profile.
~y0) are points of contact between straight lines and ellipses. Next we obtain relationships between z, k, n, and a, b, c. As
Nowletj>c0 = ^4sinf0, then we get m, x0,y0, and f0 in terms of k = b + c, and n = c/b, then we have,
A,B, andC.
b = k/(\+n),c = nk/(\+n)

m = 2
-/C -B /A 2 As the point of contact moves from Q i — 6 2 ^ 6 3 . the
corresponding point on the rack profile moves from Tx (Xt,
x0 = A-JC2-B2/C (11) Y1)-~T2(X2, Y2)~T3(X3, y 3 ) and as a result the rack moves
half pitch,
2 2
y0 = (C -B )/C X, Xx =t/2
2 2
fo =tan-'(VC -fi /5) where t is pitch. As Xx - [K]x0, Xj=x0, and t = 2w/z,
then we get

2.3 Rack Profile. Let K to equations (5), (6), (7), and (8) a = 2zc[Vc2~^¥2 + b ( TT- {0)]/ir
b e K U K 2 , K 3 , andK A , respectively. Points Tu T2, T}, and Substituting b, c into a and equation (l l), and rearranging, we
T4 on the rack profile are corresponding to points Q,, Q 2 , have
G3, and Q4 on the path of contact, respectively. Considering
conditions of continuity of the rack profile, we get a =(2zltr)nk2(4n2 l + 7r-r0)/(l+«)2

Kx=(\+m2){x-xa) b =k/(\+n)

K2=(l+m2)(x+x0)-2(l -B2/A2)x0 c = nk/(l +n)

+ 2(T-f0)BCM
(12) f0=tan"'V«2-l
K,={\-B2/A2){x-xa) + ^-^)BC/A (13)
m= (7r/2z)(l+«)V« 2 ^ r T/[«A:(Vrt 2 -l + 7r-fo)]
KA={\-B2/A2){x-xa)-(S-j;Q)BC/A
~2(l+m2)x0 a 0 = tan " ' m

x0 = (2rz/ir)k2(Jn2-l + i r - foh/" 2 l/(l+«)2

The rack profile is obtained from equations (2), (5), (6), (9),
(10), (11), and (12). y0 =rk(n- \)/n
Nomenclature

Q delivery, L/min
face width of gear, mm r pitch radius of spur gear, mm
Lx input power, kW outside radius of spur gear,
L2 output power, kW mm z = number of teeth in gear
k basic parameter to determine theoretical displacement (3 = helix angle
whole depth of tooth cm 3 /rev JJ„ = volumetric efficiency, %
basic parameter to determine Vllm = practical approximate 7ip = pump efficiency, %
depth of involute profile displacement, cm 3 /rev a = specific sliding

Journal of Mechanisms, Transmissions, and Automation in Design DECEMBER 1983, Vol. 105/737

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 0.5
n
/1.0
\w. />1.5
- \\\\ . /A2.0
3 0
N <^Z^// -

0_ i i
0 10 20
Number of Teeth z
Fig. 4 Limits of z,k, andn

These parameters are expressed in terms of z, k, n, and r. The

depth of the involute profile is given by
Hin=2y0=2rk(n-l)/n (14)
3.2 Limits of z, k, and n
Limits ofk and n. From Fig. 2 we have,
0<:B+C = kr^r, O^k^l (15)
Fig. 5 S i , S 2 , and S 3 to obtain theoretical displacement
C-B^O, n^\ (16)

Limits to Avoid Interference and Undercutting. In order 2.0

to avoid interference and undercutting, intersection of a line
normal to the path of contact and a line of gear centers has to
exist between two gear centers, that is, the following three
conditions must be satisfied in Fig. 3 [6].
2
1 PQ. < PPt. Substituting PQA = \6cgTy ,, P P , =
2
/•sina0> *o> .Vo ^ sina 0 m /4T+ w into this condition, we
an

get
JL ^(l+n)[k + n(l-k)]
z£ (17)
2 ' k\fk'n(^fnr^\ + Tr-to)
2 pQ5 = r(\+k). Here pQ$ is the radius of curvature of
ellipse at point Qs and equal to ra2/b. Substituting equation
(13) into this condition, we have Number of Teeth z
Fig. 6 Difference between Vth and Viho
\+k (l+«)Vl+n
z£ (18)
(,42-B2)cosf+flCi?0
2 ^ ~ki
k3 /!(V«2-l + ir-f0)
3 B + C^r. This is equal to the condition (15). In the case of A -B2 = 0, this condition always holds true as
2

C^B. In the case of A2~B2>0, dK^/dt becomes the mini-

Limit for One-Point Contact. In Fig. 3 the pitch line of mum when cosf = - 1.
the rack coincides with X-axis. A point T on the rack is
corresponding to a point Q on the path of contact. A line -{A2-B2) + BC^Q, a^?Jb2+bc
normal to the rack at the point T(X, Y) intersects the X-axis Substituting a, b, and c of equation (13) into this condition,
at a point PT{XP, 0). Considering the law of gearing that a we get
line normal to the tooth profile at the point of contact pass
through the pitch point, the point PT must have a one-to-one w 1 (l+«)VTTn
< (19)
correspondence to the point T in order that the tooth profiles 2 ' ^ ' « ( V « 2 - l + 7r-f 0 )
may maintain one-point contact. In other words, the point PT
must move monotonously on the X-axis as the point Q moves 3 Profile to Q 4 Qi- In this case, we get the foregoing
on the path of contact. Let a point on the normal line TPT be condition (19).
expressed by (X„, Y„). Summary of limits of z, k, and n. Let S(n)
Yn-Y=- (dX/dY) (Xn -X) = 7r(l +n)VY+n/{2n(-Jn2 - 1 + 7 r - f „ ] , the conditions (17),
(18), and (19) become
When 7„ = 0, we have Xn = Xp expressed by
Xp=X+ YdY/dX=x-K+y(dY/dX) = -K z^S(n)^(\+k)/k/k (17)
As a result, the necessary condition for one-point contact is z^S(n)-Jl+n(l-k)/k/k (18)
that K varies monotonously as the point Q moves on the path
z^S(n)/k (19)
of contact. In the following, this condition will be applied to
Q\ Qi. QiQi. Qi Q.4 and Q4Q\ of the path of contact. The condition (19) gives the smallest range of three con-
ditions. As a result, the basic dimensions z, k, and n have to
1 Profiles corresponding to QiQ\ and Q4Qj. These satisfy the conditions (15), (16), and (19). Figure 4 shows the
profiles are involute and always maintain one-point contact. limit of z, k, and n, where the lower part of the curve is the
2 Profile to Q3 Q2. In this case, Q moves as the parameter range given by the condition (19). The gear having z, k, and n
f varies. The condition to maintain one-point contact is in this range maintains one-point contact and has no in-
dXp/dS^ 0, that is, dK3/d^ 0. terferences.

738/Vol. 105, DECEMBER 1983 Transactions of the ASME

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 4 Displacement of Gear Pump 60,.------------...,

4.1 Theoretical Displacement. Two gears of the gear

~ 40
pump have the same dimensions. From Fig. 5 theoretical
displacement V th is given by >
'2: 20
VtI,=2bo[7rd-71"P~-z(8r +8z +83 )] (20) >
+-'

where 8 I = area enclosed by gear profile T 3 T s T z and circular

arc T 3 T z oL-...l..---'--l._L-..L---'--l._L-...l..-.....J

8 z = area enclosed by gear profile T 4 T 6 T{ and circular o 10 20

Number of Teeth z
arc T 4 T{ , calculated as 8 z < O.
8 3 = are enclosed by gear profiles T r T z , T 3 T 4 and two Fig.7 Ratio of displacement to volume of gear blank
circular arcs T 3 T z and T I T 4
rk = outside radius of spur gear = r( 1 + k) 0.5,-------------,
b o = face width of gear z=6
Pr ,pz = radius of two circles. Gear profile is involute k=0.2
between two circles. en
<=
From Fig. 5 we have D

en
rrk u 0 F-----+-+--+-------j
8 r =2 (Oz -0 1 + 1» pdp
L I
;;::

83 = 1:: (; +2invao-2inva)pNdpN
-0.5L-
T"
..L--'----'------'-----,L
T,
Position on Tooth Profile
--::'
T,

Substituting 8 r , 8 z , and 8 3 into equation (20) and Fig.8 Specific sliding

rearranging, we get V th as follows.
V tI , = 47rr zkb oF
V th IV=[2kl(l +k)z]F } (21)

F= I + (1I2k)[1 +kz -/~ -(WI + W z )z/7r]

where V = 27rr z (I + k)Z b o = volume of gear blank

II = av sin z So + (1 + c - bcos So)Z

I z = avsin z So + (I - c+ bcosSo)z

(a) Spur (b) Helical

Fig. 9 Path of contact and rack profile for spur gear and those for
helical gear in plane of rotation

1>01 = sin -I (xo/ pr)

1>oz = sin -I (xol pz)
WI = (4/a)[b zc z ( (7r- So)COsSo + sin So l
- bc(a z - b Z)( (7r- So)(2sin ZSo + I)
+ sinSocosSo J /4 + [ (a z - b z)zsin 3 So j/3] + 2asinSo
+ 1>02/~ - r
1>or /
W z = (7r/z+ 2invao)(lr -/~)12 - 2cos z ao (tan 3 ar
- tan 3 az)/3 +
(tanal tanaZ)I2-aI(I+tan2ar)/2
+ a2(1 +tanZaz)l2j·
Fig. 10 Test gears
4.2 Practical Approximate Displacement When
n = 0, V th becomes V tlw expressed by,
percent in practical range of n (n = 1.0 to 2.5). From this
V tlw = 47rr z kboF, F= 1 + k(3 + ZZ k Z)/16
V tlw IV=2kFI(1 +k)z } (22)
result, V tlw can be used as the practical approximate
displacement. Figure 7 shows V tho comparing with the
displacement of the involute gear pump. In Fig. 7, maximum
Vtlwl Vis obtained by substituting z= 8 (n) I k from condition
Figure 6 shows (VtI , - Vtho ) I Vtho which is smaller than 2 (19) into equation (22).

Journal of Mechanisms, Transmissions, and Automation in Design DECEM BER 1983, Vol. 105/739

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 1000 rpm
Volumetric Efficiency rt 1490 rpm 1800 rpm

Efficiency 1r
-
1500 rom

1200 rpm
1200 rpm

1000 rpm

1000 rpm

Viscosity
5 0 x l 0 - 6 m 2 / s 50cSt)
Turbine Oil #56, 42°C 5 0 0 x 1 0 - ' m 2 / s(500cSt)
Viscosity 50*10" B m7s(50cSt) Background Noise Level 40dB(A)
1 l 1 i 1
0.5 1.0 1.5
0.5 1.0 1.5
Total Pressure MPa
O u t l e t Pressure MPa

Fig. 13 Noise level

Fig. 11 Performance test results

400
1800 rpm

1500 rpm
300 -9~

1000 rpm 0.05 0.1

£• 200 (ft-
Time sec
Fig. 14 Outlet pressure pulsation
Viscosity
100
O 56xl0-6m2/s(56cSt) 1.0 i i i
O u t l e t Pressure 1 .0 MPa
O 500xl0"6m2/s(500cSt) 0.5

m 1000xlO _ 6 m 2 /s(1000cSt) 0
A L r^,
-1 I I I I I—I—I—I— 1.0
O u t l e t Pressure 0.5 HPa
0 -0.05 -0.1013 0.5

Suction Head MPa 0

A t\ A
1.0
Fig. 12 Suction ability O u t l e t Pressure 0 MPa
0.5 -
0 . t >A * •

100 200 300

5 Specific Sliding Frequency Hz

Specific sliding o is shown in Fig. 8. Absolute value of a is Fig. 15 Coherence between noise and outlet pressure pulsation
less than 0.5.
6 Helical Gear Pump
where k', n', and other dimensions are obtained from Fig. 9.
A helical gear becomes not only a rotor but also transmits As z'—Z, t'cosB = t, r'cosB = r, and kr=B + C=B' +C
power to the mating gear without any driving devices. It also — k'r', then we get
provides a uniform delivery. Now we discuss a helical gear
generated by the basic rack having the dimensions z, k, n, r, k' =kcosB (23)
and a helix angle 8. Dimensions of this helical gear are ex-
The depth of the involute profile is the same on both spur and
pressed in the following in comparison with the dimensions of
helical gears. Asy 0 =yi,y0 =rk(n- l)/n, and^o =r'k' (n' —
the spur gear.
\)/n', then we have
Spur Gear Helical Gear
n'=n (24)
B = helix angle
z z'=z Other dimensions a', b ' , . . . , fo are obtained in the same
k k' = kcosB way as a, b, . . . , fu. The helical gear pump can be discussed
n ri =n in the same way as the spur gear pump by new dimensions z',
a a' = acos28 k',n', . . . , fo instead of z, k, n, . . . , f0.
b b' = bcosB
c c' = ccos/3
A A' -Acos/3 7 Performance Test Results
B B'=B Figure 10 shows the test gears whose basic dimensions are
C C'=C z = 6,k'= 0.22, n' = 1.2, /•' = 30.000mm and 8 = 23 deg. They
r r' =r/cosB are called Lunary Gears (trademark of Nippon Gerotor). A
m m' = m/cosB hob to cut the gears is designed on the rack profile. The gears
a0 = tan " ' m Q?O= tan " ' m' are cut on a conventional hobbing machine. Figure 11 shows
fo fo = fo an example of performance test results and Fig. 12 shows

740/Vol. 105, DECEMBER 1983 Transactions of the ASM E

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 suction ability. The test pump has the theoretical obtained. All dimensions of the gear are expressed in terms of
displacement of V,h =202cm 3 /rev. Fig. 13 shows noise level the basic dimensions.
of the test gear pump. It is almost constant in the region of the 3 Helical gear design is also investigated. A helical gear
test outlet pressure, though the noise level of the involute gear pump can be discussed in the same way as the spur gear pump
pump commonly used increases as the outlet pressure in- by new basic dimensions corresponding to those of the spur
creases. Figure 14 shows outlet pressure pulsation which has a gear.
pulse of 145 Hz. The pump is run at 1450 rpm. The number of 4 Performance tests prove the following. This gear pump
the pressure pulse is equal to the number of teeth of the has high efficiency and good suction ability. As it has no
mating gear per second. Data show no pulsation by trapping. trapping, constant delivery, and almost constant outlet
Figure 15 shows coherence between noise and outlet pressure pressure having no pulsation, it runs very calmly and the noise
pulsation. Pressure pulse of 145 Hz does not have much effect level is almost constant in the region of the test outlet
on noise. pressure.

8 Conclusions References
Developed is a new continuous contact low-noise gear 1 Muto, F., "Sliding Contact Type Rotary Pump," (in Japanese), Trans.
pump which has no trapping and whose gears are in one-point Japan Soc. Mech. Engnrs., Vol. 13, No. 43, Jan. 1947, pp. 111-121.
contact in plane of rotation. Main results are as follows. 2 Itaya, M., and Noguchi, K., "Sine-Curved Gear P u m p , " (in Japanese),
Trans. Japan Soc. Mech. Engnrs., Vol. 13, No. 44, May 1947, pp. 154-161.
1 A practical method to design both rack and gear profiles 3 Iyoi, H., Japan Patent, No. 440749, 1965.
for given path of contact is studied. A new tooth profile for 4 Ichikawa, T., "Non-Involute Gear Pump," (in Japanese), Gear Pump,
Nikkan-KogyoShinbun, 1962, pp. 160-162.
the gear pump is obtained by giving a closed path of contact 5 Mitome, K., Japan Patent, No. 865785, 1977.
like a figure-8 composed of parts of ellipses and straight lines. 6 Buckingham, E., "Limitations to Conjugate Action," Spur Gears,
2 Basic dimensions are defined and limits of them are McGraw-Hill, New York, 1928, pp. 14-15.

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