The homoclinic bifurcation and transition to chaos in gear systems is studied both analytically and numerically. Applying Melnikov analytical method, the threshold values for the occur- rence of chaotic motion is obtained. The influence of parameters on the character of vibration and frequency response is studied. The numerical simulation of the system including bifurca- tion diagrams, phase plane portraits, time histories and power spectra are used to confirm the analytical predictions and detect shows the transition to chaotic motion.

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