pitch circle


noun Machinery.

an imaginary circle within the profiles of the teeth of a gear, such that it rotates against a similar circle rotating at the same rate on a meshing gear.
Also called pitch line.

Origin of pitch circle

First recorded in 1810–20

Example sentences from the Web for pitch circle

British Dictionary definitions for pitch circle

pitch circle

noun

an imaginary circle passing through the teeth of a gearwheel, concentric with the gearwheel, and having a radius that would enable it to be in contact with a similar circle around a mating gearwheel