The pitch circle of a gear may also be called?

The pitch circle of a gear is most accurately referred to as the pitch diameter. This diameter represents the size at which the teeth of the gear effectively engage with the teeth of a meshing gear. The pitch circle is an essential concept in gear design and analysis because it defines the locus of points where the actual tooth engagement occurs for efficient power transmission.

Understanding pitch diameter is crucial, as it is used to calculate important parameters like the gear ratio and center distance between gears. It is determined by the number of teeth and the module or diametral pitch of the gear. Conversely, the other terms listed refer to different aspects of gears. Diametral pitch pertains to the number of teeth per inch of the pitch diameter, outside diameter is the total diameter of the gear including its teeth, and circular pitch refers to the distance between corresponding points on adjacent teeth measured along the pitch circle. Therefore, pitch diameter is the most precise term synonymous with the pitch circle itself.