14.

Belt and Chain Drives

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Objectives
• Understand principles of operation of flexible-
drive systems.
• Determine allowable forces and torques for
flexible-drive systems, along with the necessary
sprockets or sheaves.
•Describe basic features of belt-drive systems.
• Describe basic features of chain-drive systems.
• Understand principles of operation of different
chain drives.
• Specify types and sizes of chain drives and their
associated sprockets for different applications.
August 15, 2007
Introduction
„ Consequence of failure: Belts will not break
because of overload.
„ Versatility in shaft connection: Belts are more
versatile with many geometries as well as large
center distances.
„ Effect on shaft bearing life: Belts increase
bearing load because of the initial tension
required.
„ Speed ratio: Belts will not provide exact speed
ratio because of the slippage.
3 August 15, 2007 4

Introduction

„ Cost: Belts are least expensive.

„ Noise and vibration: Belt drives produce least
amount of noise and vibration.
„ Speed and power: Gears can operate at higher
speeds and transmit more power than chains or
belts.
„ Maintenance: Chains and belts require periodic
adjustment from wear and stretch, respectively.
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1
 Flat Belts Flat belt pulley
„ Rectangular in cross section mounted on
pulleys
„ Crowning on the pulley to prevent the belt
from running off the pulley

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Fig. 14.1 Flat belts – Open belt Belt Drives

„ Driving force, Fd = Ff – Fb
Back
„ Torque, T = (Ff – Fb) r = Fd r
Driven „ Ratio of belt drive is similar to gears
D
mw = 2
D1
π Dp n
Front „ Surface velocity, Vm = ft/min
12

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Example Problem 14-1: Belt Drives Example Problem 14-1: Belt Drives
• A flat-belt system has small pulley with 6-inch diameter and large pulley with 10-inch
diameter. Small pulley transmits 2 hp at 2450 rpm, and back force of 10 pounds in belt is
required for frictional purposes.
• A flat-belt system has small pulley with 6-inch
• Determine front force, net driving force, and force on shafts.
diameter and large pulley with 10-inch • Find belt surface speed and output speed.
(2-6)
– Find torque on small pulley:
diameter. Small pulley transmits 2 hp at 2450 T =
63,000 hp
n
rpm, and back force of 10 pounds in belt is 63,000 (2)
T =
2450
required for frictional purposes.
T = 51.4 in-lb
• Determine front force, net driving force, and − If:
force on shafts. T = Fd r
(14-3)

• Find belt surface speed and output speed. Fd =

T
r

51.4 in-lb
Fd =
6 in
2

August 15, 2007 11 Fd = 17 lb

2
 Example Problem 14-1: Belt Drives (cont’d.) Example Problem 14-1: Belt Drives (cont’d.)
− Then, the front force would be:
(14-1)
Fd = Ff – Fb − Find ratio:
Ff = Fd + Fb
(14-4)

Ff = 17 lb + 10 lb D2
mw =
D1
Ff = 27 lb
10 1.67
− The force pulling the shafts together would be: mw = =
6 1
Ft = Ff + Fb
− Output speed is:
Ft = 27 lb + 10 lb

Ft = 37 lb 2450 rpm
n = = 1467 rpm
1.67
− Find the surface speed: 1
(14-5)
πDn This is approximate as minor slippage may occur.
Vm =
12

π 6 in 2450 rpm
Vm =
12

August 15, 2007 Vm = 3848 ft/min 13 August 15, 2007 14

Belt Drive - formulae Belt Drives

Length of belt, L = 2 C + 1.57 (D1 + D2 ) + (D 2 − D1 )
2
„ „ Greater angle of contact is better
4C
„ Idler pulley is used for the purpose
B + B2 − 32 ( D2 − D1 ) 2
„ Centerline distance, C = „ Idler is used to increase the angle of contact
16
which should not be less than 160 deg.
„ Where, B = 4 L – 6.28 (D2 + D1)
⎛ D −D ⎞
„ Wrap angle, θ = 180o ± 2 sin −1 ⎜⎜ 2 1
⎟⎟
⎝ 2C ⎠
„ + for larger pulley

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Fig. 14.2 Serpentine Belt System Example Problem 14-2: Belt Drives

• Mate 4-inch-diameter sheave with 6-inch-diameter

sheave. Their centerlines can range from 18 to 20
inches apart. Select length of belt and determine
actual centerline distance. If small sheave rotates
1800 rpm, determine ratio and surface speed. Find
the angle of contact for the small sheave.

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3
 Example Problem 14-2: Belt Drives Example Problem 14-2: Belt Drives (cont’d.)
•For determining the length of belt, try centerline spacing of 19 inches. − Find the centerline distance:
(14-7)
(14-6) B + B2 – 32 (D2 – D1)2
(D2 – D1 )2 C =
16
L = 2 C + 1.57 (D1 + D2 ) +
4C
(14-8)
(6 – 4)2 B = 4 L – 6.28 (D2 + D1 )
L = 2 (19) + 1.57 (4 + 6) +
4 (19)
B = 4 (54) – 6.28 (6 + 4)
L = 53.75 inches
B = 153.2
Assuming a 54-inch belt is available.
153.2 + 153.22 – 32 (6 – 4)2
C =
16

C = 19.12 inches

− Find the ratio:

(14-4)
D2 6
mw = = = 1.5
D1 4
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Example Problem 14-2: Belt Drives (cont’d.) Flat belts

– Find the surface speed:
„ Materials
π Dn
Vm = (14-5)
„ Leather
12
Vm =
π 4 in 1800 rpm „ Rubber
12
„ Canvas
Vm = 1885 ft / min
– Find the angle of contact:
„ Layers
„ Single-
Single-ply
⎛ D2 − D1 ⎞
θ = 180o − 2 sin −1 ⎜ ⎟ (14-9) „ Double-
Double-ply
⎝ 2C ⎠
⎛ 6 − 4 ⎞ „ Triple-
Triple-ply
θ = 180o − 2 sin −1 ⎜⎜ ⎟
⎟
⎝ 2 (19.12) ⎠
θ = 174o
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Angle of contact V-belts

„ Is the angle over which the belt makes contact „ Most popular.
with a pulley „ V belt is designed to ride inside the groove of
„ Open belt < 180 deg the pulley or sheave.
„ Cross belt > 180 deg „ Typical sizes are shown in Fig. 14.4
„ The amount of horsepower that a pulley can
transmit decreases as the angle of contact
decreases.

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4
 Fig. 14.4 Standard V-
V-
Fig. 14.3 Cross-
Cross-section of V-
V-belt in sheave groove
belt sizes

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Fig. 14.4 Standard V-

V-belt sizes V-belts
„ Higher friction
„ Less back force
„ Short shaft sizes

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Fig. 14.5 Power Ratings Fig. 14.5 Power Ratings

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 Example Problem 14-3: V-Belts Example Problem 14-3: V-Belts

• From Figure 14-5, determine power rating for 5 VF – (From Figure 14-5, basic rating from 1800-rpm row and 8-inch column is
27 hp.)
Aramide cord belt for input speed of 1800 rpm,
output speed of 900 rpm, with input sheave OD of 8 − In addition, add the horsepower for 2 : 1 ratio of 2.98:
inches and service factor of 1.5.
P = 27 + 2.98 = 29.98 hp
• Determine standard belt length if input and output
− Add service factor:
shafts need to be about 20 inches apart.
29.98
P = = 20 hp
1.5

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Example Problem 14-3: V-Belts (cont’d.) V-belts

• Output sheave would need to have 16-inch diameter to obtain 900 rpm
speed.
– Find approximate length of belt needed:
(14-6)
(D2 – D1)2
L = 2C + 1.57 (D1 + D2) +
4C

(16 – 8)2
L = 2(20) + 1.57 (8 + 16) +
4(20)

L = 78.5 inches

(Table 14-1)

− Use an 80-inch belt.

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Roller chains
Timing
belts „ Can connect two parallel shafts
„ Similar to gears
„ Suitable for very long and short distances
„ More compact
„ Power transmission efficiency is 98 to 99%

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6
 Roller chains Roller chains
„ Regular lubrication is required. „ Roller links
„ Better at lower speed because of the inertia „ Two inner end plates, two rollers, and two
bushings
„ No back force is required like belts, but a slack
is normally used. „ Pin links

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Roller Fig. 14.7 Number 40 Roller chain HP ratings

chain

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Fig. 14.8 Cutaway view of Roller chain Example Problem 14-4: Chain Drives

• From Figure 14-7, determine horsepower

rating for number 40 roller chain if input is
through 12-tooth sprocket turning at 1800
rpm and output turns at 900 rpm:
1. P = 5.31 hp.
2. Select output sprocket for this application:

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 Example Problem 14-4: Chain Drives Example Problem 14-4: Chain Drives (cont’d.)
3. Determine surface speed for this application:
• From Figure 14-7, determine horsepower rating for number 40 roller
Pc N t
D =
(11-3)
chain if input is through 12-tooth sprocket turning at 1800 rpm and
output turns at 900 rpm: π
.5 (12)
1. P = 5.31 hp. D = ≈ 1.91 inch
π
2. Select output sprocket for this application:
– On small sprockets, this is approximate.

π Dn
Vm = (14-5)
12
1800 π 1.91 1800
12 tooth = 24 teeth Vm =
900 12
Vm = 900 ft / min

3. What type of lubrication is recommended for this application?

(Bath or disc lubrication from the bottom of Figure 14-7.

August 15, 2007 44

Example Problem 14-4: Chain Drives (cont’d.) Example Problem 14-4: Chain Drives (cont’d.)
5. If sprocket centerlines are to be 10 inches apart, how long a chain
will be needed in full links? 6. What is the force in the chain if the power transmitted is 5.31 hp?
–Find large sprocket diameter: 63,000 hp
T = (2-6)
n
Pc Nt 63,000 (5.31)
D =
π T=
1900
.5 (24) T = 186 in − lb
D = = 3.82 inches
π
7. How does this force compare to the ultimate strength?
(14-6)
(D2 – D1 )2 2T (12-3)
L ≈ 2 C + 1.57 (D1 + D2 ) + F =
4C D
( 2) 186 in − lb
L ≈ 2 (10) + 1.57 (1.91 + 3.82) +
(3.82 – 1.91)2 F=
4 (10) 1.91
F = 195 lb
L ≈ 29.08
• Use 29- or 30-inch chain. 8. Compare the result to the ultimate strength of 3700 pounds (not a valid
comparison because of speed, etc.).
• This formula is only approximate for chains.
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Conclusions
Roller chain – Life
„ Belts and chains are used for power transmission.
„ Number of teeth on sprocket: The smaller the number „ These are cheap and accommodate large center distances.
of teeth, the greater the shock loading. „ Angle of contact is very important.
„ Chain speed: The greater the chain speed, the greater „ Flat belts are made from leather, as well as rubber or
the shock loading canvas.
„ Lubrication: Poor lubrication will shorten the life of a „ V-belts are suitable for large torque transmission.
roller due to wear „ A number of other types of belts are also used.
„ Environment: Dirty or dusty conditions tend to have „ Roller chains provide positive drive. Shock loading on the
chain increases if the number of sprocket teeth are reduced
an adverse affect on roller chain life
or if the speed is increased.

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