bevel-gear

A bevel-gear transfers power between two shafts at a right angle.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mechanical component: A "bevel gear" is a type of gear with teeth cut on a conical surface, used to transmit power between shafts that intersect at an angle, typically 90 degrees.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The car's differential uses a bevel gear to transfer power from the driveshaft to the wheels. (A conical gear changes the direction of rotation.)
  • Engineers selected a bevel gear for the right-angle drive in the machine. (The gear connects two shafts meeting at a corner.)

Advanced Usage

• "spiral bevel gear": A bevel gear with curved teeth for smoother and quieter operation.

  • The helicopter's transmission relies on spiral bevel gears for reduced noise. (Curved-tooth bevel gears improve performance.)

• "straight bevel gear": A bevel gear with straight teeth, simpler but noisier.

  • Old hand drills often contain straight bevel gears. (Straight-tooth conical gears in a simple tool.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bevel (n): The sloping surface or angle of a gear or tool.

  • The bevel on the cutting blade is 45 degrees. (The sloped edge.)

• Gear (n): A toothed wheel that meshes with another to transmit motion.

  • The machine needs a new gear to function properly. (A toothed wheel.)

Synonyms

• Conical gear: A gear shaped like a cone.
• Angle gear: A gear designed for angular power transmission.

Related Idioms