OH-58 Helicopter Transmission Failure Analysis

Abstract

The OH-58 main transmission gearbox was run at varying output torques, speeds, and oil cooling rates. The gearbox was subsequently run to destruction by draining the oil from the gearbox while operating at a speed of 6200 rpm and 36 000 inch-pounds output torque. Primary cause of gearbox failure was overheating and melting of the planet bearing aluminum cages. Complete failure of the gearbox occurred in 28 1/2 minutes after the oil pressure dropped to zero. The gearbox air/oil cooler has sufficient cooling capacity margin for hot day takeoff conditions at a 117 percent power rating. The alternating and maximum stresses in the gearbox top case were approximately 10 percent of the endurance limit for the material. Deflection of the bevel gear at 67 000 inch- pounds output torque indicate a marginal stiffness for the bevel gear supporting system.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA956125

Entities

People

  • B. R. Hatvani
  • D. P. Townsend
  • J. J. Coy

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bearing Cages
  • Bearings
  • Failure Analysis
  • Frequency
  • Gears
  • Helicopters
  • High Temperature
  • Instrumentation
  • Magnetic Tape
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Structure
  • Oil Coolers
  • Roller Bearings
  • Spiral Bevel Gears
  • Strain Gages
  • Tape Recorders
  • Temperature Gradients

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).