David G. Lewicki is a researcher whose documented work addresses gear dynamics, durability and vibration-based detection of tooth damage. His1986 NASA technical paper, Predicted Effect of Dynamic Load on Pitting Fatigue Life for Low-Contact-Ratio Spur Gears by David G. Lewicki, studied how dynamically varying tooth loads change predicted gear surface pitting fatigue life. Its parametric calculations showed why a static transmitted-load estimate alone can miss important speed-dependent effects.[ref]
The scientific distinction is between the mean transmitted torque and the changing tooth-contact force. Even at the same mean torque, a mesh can have different peak loads as operating speed approaches a structural natural frequency. The1986 study linked these changing dynamic loads to life predictions for low-gear contact ratio spur gears; it was a model-based investigation, rather than a universal measured life law.
Lewicki later coauthored a2015 study with Nicholas A. Lambert and Robert S. Wagoner comparing rotating accelerometers on a helicopter-transmission pinion with stationary housing sensors. That experimental work connects the dynamic-load problem to the practical question of which gear vibration spectrum features reveal damage. The1986 title page gives his affiliation as the Propulsion Directorate at Lewis Research Center; the2015 report lists Glenn Research Center.[ref]
Evaluation of MEMS-Based Wireless Accelerometer Sensors in Detecting Gear Tooth Faults in Helicopter Transmissions by David G. Lewicki and others. Title page and printed p.1, author affiliations and experimental objective
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