What Types of Bevel Gear Are There?

Bevel gears are a special class of gear, where the axes of two different shafts intersect, but the faces of each gear are shaped like cones. In most applications, bevel gears are mounted on shafts that are 90 degrees apart, but other angles are also possible; regardless, the pitch surface is always a cone. Bevel gears are frequently used in differential drives, which can transmit power to two axes rotating at different speeds, and are also a common component of hand drills and rotorcrafts.

But what types of bevel gears are there?

• Straight Bevel Gears are the standard for bevel gears. They have a conical pitch surface, but the teeth are straight, consistently tapering toward the apex of the system.
• Spiral bevel gears are similar, but their teeth are curved at an angle, allowing for gradual and smooth tooth contact. This is similar to the function of helical gears, and can reduce noise and friction.
• Zerol bevel gears have curved teeth as well; the tooth ends are coplanar with the bevel gear’s axis, but each tooth’s middle portion is swept around the gear’s circumference. These are like spiral bevel gears, but with zero spiral angle, so the teeth align with the axis.
• Hypoid bevel gears are also like spiral bevel gears, but with hyperbolic pitch surfaces instead of conical ones. These are frequently used in the rear axles of motor vehicles.

If you need a bevel gear system designed or manufactured, Federal Gear is the place to do it. With more than 100 years of experience, we can make your project a success; contact us today to learn more!