In planetary gear theory, the component that can rotate under load even without a dedicated control device is known as the ______.

In planetary gear theory, the component that can rotate under load even without a dedicated control device is known as the ______.

• A. Servo piston
• B. Idler gear
• C. Held member
• D. Epicyclical gear

Answer: (C)

In a planetary gear set, several elements can rotate, but only those not locked by a brake or clutch are free to move. The term held member refers to the component that can rotate under load even when there isn’t a dedicated control device actively holding or preventing its motion. Since there’s no brake or clutch engaged to fix it in place, torque transmitted through the gear mesh causes it to rotate passively. The servo piston is an actuator, the idler gear is just an extra gear to transfer motion, and the epicyclic gear describes the whole arrangement, not a single component that behaves this way. So, the held member best describes the component that can rotate under load without a control device.

In a planetary gear set, several elements can rotate, but only those not locked by a brake or clutch are free to move. The term held member refers to the component that can rotate under load even when there isn’t a dedicated control device actively holding or preventing its motion. Since there’s no brake or clutch engaged to fix it in place, torque transmitted through the gear mesh causes it to rotate passively. The servo piston is an actuator, the idler gear is just an extra gear to transfer motion, and the epicyclic gear describes the whole arrangement, not a single component that behaves this way. So, the held member best describes the component that can rotate under load without a control device.