The power transmission system is a critical component of any machine. Accordingly, the detailed analysis of this system is essential for both design purposes and the detailed assessment of machine performance. Due to the large number of possible power transmission system components and the nature of these systems, general power transmission system analysis methods have been difficult to develop. However, such analysis methods could meet a wide variety of needs for system design. This paper discusses the general power transmission system analysis approach developed by the authors over the last several years based on their study of vehicle powertrains. The formulation and solution of the governing equations are discussed, and the ability of the approach in addressing critical design related issues is demonstrated through an example system simulation.
