Thanks, Tracy

 

Suspicions confirmed!  It just seem a more sophisticated method of transferring power from shaft to shaft than a Spur gear.  But, as you mentioned, as long as it is designed to me the loads, conditions and environment, any number of methods of power transfer work, belts, gears, hydraulic, turbine wheels, etc.  However, for simplicity, weight and cost, its hard to beat a planetary gear set. Just my opinion of course.

 

Ed

Ed,

 Proper calculation and operation will allow many systems to work. One of the most innovative I've seen is the Cozy from Venezuela using 2 Suzuki engines driving 2 counterrotating props all driven by v-belts! they flew the plane to Oshkosh twice.  I believe Rotorway uses 5 matched v-belts as the primary drive on their kit helecopter.

Bill Jepson