What type of gears are used to transmit mechanical power between two shafts at right angles to each other?

Bevel gears are specifically designed to transmit mechanical power between two shafts that are oriented at right angles to one another. The unique tooth design of bevel gears allows for efficient force transmission while accommodating the change in direction of the shafts. This feature makes them particularly useful in applications where the direction of rotation needs to be altered, such as in power drives and various machinery configurations. Their ability to handle high loads and operate smoothly at angles distinguishes them from other gear types.

While spur gears are used for parallel shafts and worm gears are typically used for non-intersecting shafts, they do not effectively serve the function of transmitting power at right angles. Crown gears, on the other hand, are a variant of bevel gears but are less commonly employed for direct power transmission applications compared to standard bevel gears.