Gear Trains
Servomotors are widely used electro-mechanical components. For example, they are used in steering systems for scale model helicopters and other radio controlled cars, robots, and aircraft, including military "drones". A servomotor includes an electric motor, circuitry to control its speed and direction, and gearing to attain the high torques needed to apply moderately large forces over relatively short linear displacements. The gearing inside this servo is a compound gear train with four stages. In this video, we will understand how linear algebra can help us to predict the losses and understand the design trade-offs when converting high speeds and low torques into low speeds and high torques using a gear train. This video is part of the Linearity Video Series. Many complex systems are modeled or approximated linearly because of the mathematical advantages. Hi, my name is Dan Frey, and I am a professor of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Systems at MIT. Be...