
262 LIGHT AND HEAVY VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
and annulus gear (Figure 16.1). The sun gear is situated
on the central axis of the gear train. Surrounding the
sun gear are the planet pinions, which can freely rotate
on pins mounted in a planet carrier and are equally
spaced around the sun gear with which they are per-
manently meshed. Hence the similarity to our solar
system, where the planets rotate around the sun. The
annulus gear embraces the whole gearset, and com-
prises an internally toothed flanged disc that likewise is
permanently meshed with the planet pinions. In prac-
tical application the output torque is not normally
taken direct from th