Roller Chain:

p = pitch of the chain

d = bore diameter of small sprocket
C = distance between centers; in
Cp = distance between centers; links or pitches
D1 = pitch diameter of small sprocket
n1 = rpm of small sprocket
Nt1 = number of teeth of small sprocket
D2 = pitch diameter of large sprocket
n2 = rpm of large sprocket
Nt2 = number of teeth of large sprocket

Rated horsepower transmitted by the roller chain:

Based on link fatigue: hp = 0.004 Nt11.08 n10.9 p3 - 0.07 p

Based on roller impact: hp = Kr [100 Nt1/n1]1.5 p 0.8, where;

Kr = chain factor

* The rated hp of a roller chain is the smaller of the values of hp as computed from the
above equations.

The minimum number of teeth to be used on the small sprocket directly affects the horsepower
that a chain can transmit. For reference purposes, the following can be used (not always followed);

Recommended minimum number of teeth:

Very low speeds; Nt1 = 12t
Low speeds; Nt1 = 17
Moderate speeds; Nt1 = 21
High speeds; Nt1 = 25
Speed increasing drives; Nt1 = 23

For mounted sprockets, the following equations should be used as a reference for the minimum
number of teeth to provide an allowance for the hub of the sprocket.

Minimum Nt1 = 4d / p + 5 for pitches up to 1 inch

Minimum Nt1 = 4d / p + 4 for pitch of 1.25 in. and above

1
The selection of the chain pitch to be used is done by trial in combination with the number of teeth
in the small sprocket. Morse Chain Company recommends the following equation;

pmax = [900/n1]2/3 (Ref: Black and Adams, page-302)

The center distance between sprockets is relatively short. The PSME Code specifies a minimum,
Cp = 30 x p. An average good center distance should be;

Cave = D2 + ½ D1, where; diameters and pitch are related by the equation;

p = D sin (180/Nt)
Number of chain strands needed:

No. of strands = Design Hp / rated Hp

Length of chain required:

Lp = 2 Cp + ½ (Nt1 + Nt2) + (Nt2 – Nt1)2 / 40 Cp; links or pitches.

* Lp should always be an even number to avoid an off–set or hunting link.

The factor of safety of the chain drive:

Fu/strand x Number of strands

N=
Ft

Ft = actual tension at the tight side of the chain.

Example 1:
Due to the high cost of electric power, high maintenance cost and high investment needed
for air-conditioning units, air circulating fans are becoming popular particularly in rural areas. A
restaurant owner has decided to install a used fan that could deliver 18,000 CFM of air when
running at 320 rpm. The fan is estimated to require at least 4.5 hp but has a second hand motor
rated 5 hp at 1750 rpm. These data are all that the owner could provide you. He would like to use a
standard chain and sprocket for the transmission. Determine (a) number of teeth and diameter of

2
small sprocket (b) number of teeth and diameter of big sprocket (c) pitch of roller chain (d)
recommended center distance (e) length of chain required.

Figure:

Solution:

From table 17.7 p.460 Faires, Nsf = 1.1

Design Hp = 1.1 x 5 hp = 5.5 hp at 1750 rpm

The maximum possible chain pitch,

p = [900/n1]2/3 = [900/1750]2/3 = 0.642 in = 0.625 in. (5/8)

1. p = ½ in.; Nt1 = 15t

Fatigue: hp = 0.004(15)1.08(1750)0.9(0.5)3-.907 x .5 = 7.91 hp
Impact: hp = 17[100 x 15/1750]1.5(.5)0.8 = 7.75 hp

2. p = ½ in; Nt1 = 13t

Fatigue: hp = 0.004(13)1.08(1750)0.9(.5)3 - .07 x .5 = 6078 hp
Impact: hp = 17 [100 x 13/1750]1.5(.5)0.8 = 6.25 hp

Use: Single strand RC40, p = ½ in., Nt1 = 13t, Nt2 = 70t

0.5
a. Nt1 = 13t, and D1 = = 2.09 in.
Sin (180/13)

b. Nt2 = 70t, and D2 = 11.14 in.

c. Center distance, C = D2 + ½ D1 = 11.14 + ½ 2.09 =12.185 in.

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Cmin = 30 p = 30 x ½ =15 in.

Use: C = 15 in; Cp = 30 pitches

d. Chain length, Lp = 104.2 Use: Lp = 106 links; L = 53 inches

Example 2:

A farm equipment equipped with a 100 hp engine uses a roller chain as the final drive to
the rear axle. The driving sprocket is to run at 500 rpm and the driven sprocket at 250 rpm. With a
center distance of approximately 48 inches. The chain speed is approximately 800 ft/min. The
transmission efficiency between the engine and the driving sprocket is 85%. Determine (a) the
pitch and width of the chain to be used (b) the number of teeth and pitch diameter of the sprockets
(c) the length of the chain needed.
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Figure:

Solution:

Power input to the drive, HP = 100 x .85 = 85 hp

From table 17.7 p-460, Faires; Nsf = 1.20
Design Hp = 1.2 x 85 = 102 hp

Maximum possible chain pitch; p = 900/500]2/3 = 1.479  1.5 in.

1. RC120 , p = 1 ½ in.
m = pNtn/12; Nt1 = 12 x 800 / (1.5 x 500) = 12.8
Nt1 = 13t
Cmin = 30 x 1.5 = 45 in < 48 * OK!
Nt2 = 13 x 500 / 250 = 26t, Use: Nt2 = 25t

Fatigue: Rated Hp = 0.004(13)1.08(500)0.9(1.5)3-.07 x 1.5 = 55.46 hp

Impact: Rated Hp = 17 [100 x 13/500]1.5(1.5)0.8 = 98.58 hp

Number of chain strands required = 102 / 55.46 = 1.839

Use: 2 strands RC120, Nt1 = 13t and Nt2 = 25t

2. RC100; p = 1 ¼ in.

m = pNt n /12; then, Nt1 = 12 x 800/ (1.25 x 500) = 15.36

Nt1 = 15t and Nt2 = 15 x 500/250 = 30t

Fatigue Rated Hp = 0.004(15)1.08(500)0.9(1.25)3-.07x1.25 = 38.33 hp

Impact Rated Hp = 17[100x15/500]1.5(1.25)0.8 = 105.6 hp

Number of chain strands required = 102 / 38.33 = 2.661

Use: 3 strands RC100, Nt1 = 15t and Nt2 = 30t

The foregoing computations show that both chain pitches can be used. But to have an exact speed
ratio between the driver and the driven sprockets, use
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 3-strands RC100
Nt1 = 15t
Nt2 = 30t

From table 17.8 p. 468, Faires, for an RC100 chain, the width of one strand is 0.754 in. For three
strands:
w = 3 x 0.754 = 2.262 in.

Pitch diameter of the sprockets:

1.25
D1 = = 6.012 in.
Sin (180/15)

1.25
D2 = = 11.958 in.
Sin(180/30)

Length of chain needed:

Lp = 2 Cp + ½ (T2 + T1) + (T2 – T1)2 / 40 Cp

Cp = 48 / 1.25 = 38.4 links

Lp = 2 x 38.4 + ½ (30 + 15) + (30 – 15)2 / (40 x 38.4)

= 99.45 links.

Use: Lp = 100 links

= 125 inches per strand

Example 3:

A ventilating fan having a delivery of 12,000 CFM when operating at 298 rpm requires
2.84 hp under these rated conditions. The fan is to be installed in a hospital where quietness of
operation is essential. The fan is to be connected to a squirrel cage induction motor by means of a
chain drive. The motor speed is 1160 rpm. The minimum number of teeth on the small sprocket is
19 teeth. The efficiency of the chain drive is 95%. Determine (a) pitch and width of the chain to be
used (b) pitch diameter of the sprockets and chain length

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Figure:

Solution

HPinput = 2.84/0.95 = 2.989

= 3 Hp (STD motor hp)
Service factor, Nsf = 1.2
Design Hp = 1.2 x 3 = 3.6 hp

Maximum chain pitch possible, p = 900/1160]2/3 = 0.844

* Because of the requirement of the place where the fan is to be installed, a silent chain
(SC) drive should be used.

The rated Hp capacity per inch of chain width is defined by the equation:

hp/in of width = pVm [1 – Vm / 425 (Nt1 – 8)]

The width of silent chains vary by ¼ in increment and the maximum permissible width are given
in Table 15–3, p-308, Black and Adams. The recommended width, w is preferably between 2p and
6p. The minimum number of sprocket teeth for a silent chain is given by the following equation;

Nt1min = 4d / p + 6, where;

d = sprocket bore
p = chain pitch
Vm = pitch line velocity of the chain in ft/min.

1. Try: Nt1 = 19t; SC4, p = ½ in.

Hp/in = pVm [1 – Vm/425(Nt1 – 8)]

Vm = pNt n /12 = ½ x 19 x 1160 / 12

= 918.33 fpm

Then,
hp/in = 6.96 hp/in

w = 3.6 hp / 6.96 hp/in = 0.517 in.

Wmin = 2 x ½ = 1”; p = ½, * Too large!

2. Try SC3, p = 3/8 in; Nt1 = 19t

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 Vm = 3/8 x 19 x 1160 / 12 = 688.75

hp/in = 4.155

w = 3.6 / 4.155 = 0.866

wmin = 2p = 2 x 3/8 = 0.75 * Ok!

w = 1 in.

Nt2 = 1160 x 19 / 298 = 73.95

Use: SC3; width, w = 1 in.

Nt1 = 19t D1 = 2.278 in.

Nt2 = 70t D2 = 8.358 in.

Cmin = 30 x p = 11.25 in.

Chain length:

Lp = 2 x 30 + ½ (19 + 70) + (70 – 19)2/ (40 x 30)

= 106.7 links
Then,
Lp = 108 links

L1 = 40.5 inches