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actuator
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A component that directly helps convert hydraulic or pneumatic energy into mechanical energy.
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alignment
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The accurate positioning of parts in a mechanical system in relation to one another. Two shafts in alignment are parallel to one another or form a straight line.
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American National Standards Institute
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ANSI. A private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates voluntary standards and systems.
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angular gear train
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A gear train composed of gears on intersecting shafts.
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automatic transmission
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A complex transmission that does not require the operator to shift gears in order to change the speed and torque of mechanical energy.
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axis
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An imaginary straight line that passes through the center of an object. A gear may have an opening at its axis in which a shaft can be inserted.
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ball bearing
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A rolling-element bearing containing metal balls placed between two parts. A ball bearing allows machine parts to move with little friction.
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bearing
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A friction-reducing device that allows one moving part to glide past another moving part.
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belt
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A loop of flexible material used in a belt drive system to transmit motion. Belts are made of various materials and come in different types, such as flat belts, round belts, and V-belts.
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belt drive system
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A system consisting of a belt and at least two fixed pulleys that is used to transmit motion.
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bevel gear
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A type of gear with cone-shaped teeth cut at an angle. Bevel gears are often used in angular gear trains.
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block-and-pin U-joint
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The most common type of U-joint. A block-and-pin U-joint has two open-ended shafts that are connected to a center block with pins.
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brake
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A type of friction clutch that is used to slow or stop the transfer of energy from a shaft to a load, thereby slowing or stopping the motion of a load.
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chain
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A device made of individual links that mesh with the teeth of a sprocket. Chains are used in chain drive systems to transmit motion.
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chain drive system
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A system consisting of a chain and sprockets that is used to transmit motion.
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clutch
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A mechanical device used to gradually stop or start the transmission of power, speed, or torque from a prime mover to a load.
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clutching
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The process of transferring torque from an input shaft to an output shaft.
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cogged belt
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A belt that has teeth molded directly into its surface, which mesh with corresponding teeth in pulleys. A cogged belt is designed to avoid slipping and is also known as a timing belt.
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connecting link
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A link of chain used to connect the chain ends and form a loop. A connecting link can be fastened with a cotter pin.
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contamination
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The presence of damaging foreign materials such as dirt or shop debris in a lubricant.
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corrosion
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The gradual chemical attack on a material by atmosphere, moisture, or other agents.
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coupling
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A device that connects two shafts in a mechanical system in order to transfer motion.
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double-pitch roller chain
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A roller chain with links spaced twice as far apart as a standard roller chain. Double-pitch roller chains are less expensive but cannot operate as quietly or as fast as a standard chain.
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drive gear
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The gear that receives energy from a power source, such as an electric motor. Drive gears transmit power to an intersecting driven gear to perform work.
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driven gear
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The gear that receives motion from the drive gear on a machine.
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driven pulley
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The fixed pulley in a belt drive system that receives energy from the driver pulley via a belt.
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driven sprocket
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The sprocket in a chain drive system that receives energy from the driver sprocket via a chain.
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driver pulley
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The fixed pulley in a belt drive system that receives energy from the power source and transfers it to the driven pulley.
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driver sprocket
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The sprocket in a chain drive system that receives power from the power source and transfers it to the driven sprocket through the chain.
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electric motor
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A machine that converts electricity into mechanical energy or motion. An electric motor is a type of prime mover for a mechanical system.
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energy
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The ability to perform work.
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fixed pulley
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A device consisting of a wheel rigidly fixed to a shaft that is used in a belt drive system to transmit energy.
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flat belt
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A belt consisting of a flat loop of material used to transmit motion between two pulleys. Flat belts can be made of various materials, such as rubber, canvas, plastic, or flexible metals.
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flexible coupling
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A type of coupling that can connect aligned shafts or flex to accommodate shafts that are slightly misaligned.
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fossil fuel
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Any naturally occurring organic fuel formed in the Earth’s crust, such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are burned to release stored energy.
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friction
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A force that resists motion between two objects that are in contact with each other.
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friction clutch
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The most common type of clutch used in mechanical systems. A friction clutch contains two discs, each connected to its own shaft, that can be forced together to transfer energy.
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gear
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A round or cylindrical mechanical component with teeth, used to transmit power. Gears are designed to mesh with one another and can alter the speed, torque, or direction of mechanical energy.
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gear shift
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A mechanism that allows the operator of a manual transmission to move the gears into various positions, changing the speed and torque of mechanical energy.
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gear train
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A set of gears arranged to transfer mechanical energy from one part of a mechanical system to another.
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gearbox
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An enclosed system of assembled gears that transmits mechanical energy from a prime mover to an output device. A gearbox can also change the speed, direction, or torque of mechanical energy.
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generator
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A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
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grease
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A semi-solid substance composed of oil and a chemical soap or other additive, commonly used as an industrial lubricant.
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heat engine
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A device that converts heat energy into mechanical or electrical energy. A heat engine is a type of prime mover.
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helical gear
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A type of gear with slanted teeth. Helical gears are quieter than spur gears, but they are more expensive and produce side loads.
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herringbone gear
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A type of gear that has angled teeth in the shape of a letter "V." Herringbone gears resist side loading but are expensive to produce.
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horsepower
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A unit of power used to describe machine strength. Horsepower is abbreviated as hp.
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hydraulic pump
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A mechanical device used to move liquids in a hydraulic system.
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inverted-tooth chain
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A type of chain with teeth on its links that mesh with teeth in the sprockets of a chain drive. An inverted-tooth chain operates quietly and smoothly and is also known as a silent chain.
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kinetic energy
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Energy of an object that has been put in motion.
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linear ball bearing
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A type of rolling-element bearing that is cylindrical in shape and used with linear motion systems.
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linear motion
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Motion that takes place along a straight line. Mechanical energy can take the form of rotary or linear motion.
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load
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The opposition to applied force, such as weight being carried or moved.
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lubricant
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A substance used to reduce friction between two surfaces in relative motion.
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lubrication
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The application of a substance to reduce friction between two surfaces in relative motion. Oil and grease are commonly used for lubrication.
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manual transmission
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A type of transmission that requires an operator to shift gears manually to change the speed and torque of mechanical energy.
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mechanical advantage
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The difference between the applied force and the work accomplished. Mechanical advantage allows machines to perform more work with less effort.
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miter gear
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A type of bevel gear used in pairs with intersecting shafts at 90° angles. Both the drive gear and driven gear in a miter gear pair have the same diameter, same number of teeth, and a mechanical advantage of 1.
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oil
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A slippery fluid commonly used as an industrial lubricant.
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open gearing
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Gears in unassembled form.
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perpendicular
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An intersection of two lines or objects at right angles. Angular gear trains are used to transmit motion between perpendicular shafts.
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pitch
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The measure of distance between chain links. The larger the pitch, the larger the chain will be.
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plain bearing
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A bearing that uses sliding motion to support a load. Plain bearings are the simplest bearing design.
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point of use
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The part of a power transmission system where work is performed.
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potential energy
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Stored energy with the potential to do work. An actuator converts potential energy to kinetic energy.
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power transmission
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The movement of energy from a source to an output device that performs work.
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prime mover
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In a power transmission system, the device that introduces energy into the system and converts the energy into the appropriate form.
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profile rail linear guide
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A smooth surface that supports and guides the rolling element of a linear bearing.
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retainer clip
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A fastener used to secure the parts of a chain link. A retainer clip is also known as a spring clip.
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revolutions per minute
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The number of times a component rotates in a complete circle in one minute. Revolutions per minute (rpm) is a measurement of speed.
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rigid coupling
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A type of coupling used to connect shafts that are in alignment. A rigid coupling is the simplest type of coupling.
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roller chain
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The most common type of chain used in industry. A roller chain can be used at high speeds.
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rolling-element bearing
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A bearing with rolling parts inside that support the motion of a load. A ball bearing is an example of a rolling-element bearing.
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rotary motion
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Spinning or turning motion that takes place around an axis, without a change in linear position. Mechanical energy can take the form of rotary or linear motion.
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round belt
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A belt with a circular tube shape, used to transmit motion between two pulleys. Round belts can operate at high speeds and are often used in serpentine belt systems.
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seal
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A device used with bearings to retain lubricant and prevent contamination.
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serpentine belt drive
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A belt drive system that includes more than two fixed pulleys working in conjunction.
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shaft
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In a mechanical system, a cylindrical bar used to support rotating components or to transmit power or motion by rotation.
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side load
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A force that attempts to shift a component off its axis of rotation. Side loads occur when gears are meshed together at an angle and can lead to increased wear.
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silent chain
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A type of chain with teeth on its links that mesh with teeth in the sprockets of a chain drive. A silent chain operates quietly and smoothly and is also known as an inverted-tooth chain.
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sprocket
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A sprocket is a gear or wheel with metal teeth that meshes with the links of a chain. Sprockets are used in chain drive systems to transmit motion.
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spur gear
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A type of gear that has straight, flat-topped teeth set parallel to the shaft. Spur gears are the most common type of gears used in industry.
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timing belt
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A belt that has teeth molded directly into its surface, which mesh with corresponding teeth in pulleys. A timing belt is designed to avoid slipping and is also known as a cogged belt.
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torque
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A force that produces rotation.
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transmission
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A machine that uses a combination of gears and other mechanical components to change the speed or torque of mechanical energy.
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turbine
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A machine that uses the motion or energy of moving water or wind to produce movement. A turbine generates electricity through mechanical motion.
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U-joint
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A type of joint used to transmit power between shafts that are too far out of alignment to be joined by a flexible coupling. A U-joint is also known as a universal joint.
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universal joint
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A type of joint used to transmit power between shafts that are too far out of alignment to be joined by a flexible coupling. A universal joint is also known as a U-joint.
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V-belt
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A belt with a flat bottom and tapered sides, used to transmit motion between two pulleys. Multiple V-belts are often used together in order to increase carrying power.
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work
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The result of a force applied to an object and the distance through which the force is applied.
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worm
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A cylindrical, screw-shaped shaft that is used with a worm gear to transmit motion.
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worm gear
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A gear with teeth that mesh with the screw-like threads of a worm to transmit motion.
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worm gear drive
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A gear drive consisting of a long, cylindrical device with a spiraling groove that intersects with the teeth of a wheel-like gear. A worm gear drive is used to transmit motion between nonintersecting perpendicular shafts, and the cylindrical "worm" is always the drive gear.
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