b'Bevel Gears: Then and NowBevel gears are cone-shaped andapproximately 50 internationally filediteratively improve the function of their make it possible to transmit power at apatents on gear technology. Most ofbevel gears.90 angle from the drive shaft of a car toGleasons bevel gear processes and newBy comparison, the most sophisticated its rear wheel axle. They are especiallykinds of gear forms have been developeddesign calculations today take only useful in differential drives, whichduring his time with the company. milliseconds of processing time with a allow two car axles to rotate at differentBecause of their conical shape,computer.speeds, as when a car rounds a corner. bevel gears are more complicated toGleasons first bevel gear planers According to Gleason Corp.s Dr.design and manufacture than standardwere driven by rotation from a water Hermann J. Stadtfeld, all luxury sedans,cylindrical gears. wheel or steam engine and controlled SUVs and pickup trucks use one or twoIt was more difficult to make bevelby mechanical cams, linkages and gear bevel gear sets. All semitrailers, jetgears in William Gleasons time becausetrains, Stadtfeld said. In contrast, todays engines and helicopters have multiplethe theory of bevel gear generation is themachines are actuated by electric motors sets of bevel gears. most complex theory of all mechanicaland controlled by a computer.Motor boats, ships and ocean liners,engineering disciplines, Stadtfeld said.Stadtfeld explained that in the past, as well as train engines, use bevel gears,(William Gleason founded Gleasonthe tooth-forming process involved chip he said. Besides the bevel gears inWorks in 1865.) removal with two reciprocating cutting jet engines, all airplanes use betweenDesign calculations were completedblades made from tool steel.15 and 50 bevel gear sets for flap andmanually, which took days and weeks,Lots of oil was required to pour rudder actuation. he said. Due to the differences in precisebetween the tool and chip-forming Stadtfeld has worked at Gleason sincecalculations, many manufacturers usedaction in order to cool the process and 1994. He and his team have obtainedthe trial-and-error method in order toprevent the tool from failing, he said.Gear Pioneerin 1865. Kates father, William Glea-son, was an immigrant from Ire-land. He opened a machine shop where he produced metalworking tools and machines, such as engine lathes and planers.In 1874, William invented and pat-ented the bevel gear planer, a type of machine that opened vast new possibilities for the transmission of motive power. Bevel gears are cone-shaped and make it possible to transmit power at a 90 angle from the drive shaft of a car to its rear wheel axle (see Bevel Gears: Then and Now on this page).Holly B. Martin is a science writer and technical copywriter based in Winchester, 15 N Washington St., Plainville, CT 06062 | P: 866-619-7686 | F: 860-747-3989 Va. For more [email protected] | www.ascaircleaning.com information, visit www.hollybmartin.com.58 MARCH 2018 Women.indd 58 2/15/18 3:29 PM'