What term describes the power flow when two interconnected planetary gear sets operate together?

What term describes the power flow when two interconnected planetary gear sets operate together?

• A. Versatile
• B. Double reverse
• C. Compound
• D. Reverse

Answer: (C)

Power flows through both gear sets in sequence when they are interconnected, forming a compound planetary gear train. This means the two sets share a component and the input energy passes through the first set and then through the second, producing a combined reduction that’s greater and more flexible than a single set can provide. The term “compound” captures this interconnected, multi-set arrangement. Other terms don’t fit because they don’t describe this topology: “reverse” refers to rotation direction, not how gear sets are linked; and terms like “versatile” or “double reverse” aren’t standard descriptors for this gear-train configuration.

Power flows through both gear sets in sequence when they are interconnected, forming a compound planetary gear train. This means the two sets share a component and the input energy passes through the first set and then through the second, producing a combined reduction that’s greater and more flexible than a single set can provide. The term “compound” captures this interconnected, multi-set arrangement. Other terms don’t fit because they don’t describe this topology: “reverse” refers to rotation direction, not how gear sets are linked; and terms like “versatile” or “double reverse” aren’t standard descriptors for this gear-train configuration.