Transmissions

In mechanical engineering terms, transmissions consist of a series of connected parts (or mechanisms) whereby a source of power can be applied to another component which is able do the required work in the form of motion.

Transmissions can be used to:

• Connect two (or more) shafts so that one provides drive to another (or others).
• Change the speed of one shaft relative to another.
• Change the direction of rotation of one shaft relative to another.
• Convert one type of motion to another (rotary to linear or vice versa).

Aerospace transmissions involve the use of a wide range of sources to provide the power, which eventually results in the desired motion in a particular system and those power sources include:

• Muscle and assisted muscle power
• Hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical power
• External and internal combustion engines

The means of transmitting power from a source to provide eventual motion is achieved by such devices as:

• Belts and Pulleys
• Gears
• Chains and Sprockets