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MODULE 4
Flexible Connectors
 Module 4
CHAIN DRIVES
A Chain Drive consists of an endless chain wrapped around two sprockets. The chain
consists of a number of links connected by pin joints, while the sprocket are toothed
wheels with a special profile for teeth.

Unlike belt drives, there is no slip in chain

technology. However, they are mostly suited
for small center distances, usually up to 3
meters.

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CHAIN DRIVES
Advantages of Chain Drives
1. Can operate even in wet conditions.
2. A number of shafts can be driven in the
same or opposite direction by means of
a chain from a single driving sprocket.
3. Chain drives are compact and easy to
install compared to belt drives.
4. These are positive drives, because
there is no slip. Hence efficiency is high.
5. Do not deteriorate due to sunlight, oil,
grease, or age.
6. Lower load on shaft than belt drives.
Module 4
Disadvantages of Chain Drives
1. These are not suitable when precise motion is
required due to polygonal effect.
2. Proper maintenance is required, particularly
lubrication and slack adjustment.
3. Chain drives generate noise and can
also cause vibrations.
4. Not suitable for applications where it is
necessary for the drive to slip.
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 Module 4
TYPES OF CHAINS
Roller Chains

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 Module 4
TYPES OF CHAINS
Silent Chains

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 Module 4
TYPES OF CHAINS
Conveyor Chains

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 Module 4
TYPES OF CHAINS
Hoisting Chains

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 Module 4
ROLLER CHAIN
A roller chain consists of alternate links made of inner and outer plates.

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 Module 4
ROLLER CHAIN
The engagement of the sprocket wheel is shown in the figure.

𝐷 = Pitch circle diameter 𝑝 = Pitch

360
𝛾 = Pitch angle = 𝑇 = number of teeth on the sprocket
𝑇

Chain Velocity Diameter

𝑣 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁 𝑝
𝛾 𝑝/2
𝑣 = 𝑇𝑝𝑁 𝑠𝑖𝑛 = 𝑝/2
2 𝐷/2
𝑁 = rpm of sprocket 𝑝
𝐷= 𝛾
𝑠𝑖𝑛
2
𝑝
Chain Length 𝐷= 𝐷/2
180
𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑝 𝑥 𝑝 (inches/mm) 𝑇
𝐿𝑝 = number of links in the chain

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 Module 4
ROLLER CHAIN
Chain Length
Chain length is usually expressed in pitches (or number of links). The open
belt formula can be adapted in deriving the equation for chain length.
𝐿𝑝 = chain length in pitches
𝐷𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑝 = pitch diameters in pitches
𝑇 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡 = number of teeth
𝐶𝑝 = center distance in pitches
Since
2
𝑝
𝜋 𝐷𝑝 − 𝑑𝑝 𝐷=
180
𝐿𝑝 = 𝐷𝑝 + 𝑑𝑝 + 2𝐶𝑝 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛
2 4𝐶𝑝 𝑇
180 180
𝐷𝑝 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 ; 𝑑𝑝 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐
𝑇 𝑡
= (𝑇 + 𝑡)/2
(Since each teeth occupies 1 pitch.) Substituting these values to 𝐿𝑝 :
2
𝑇+𝑡 csc(180 °/𝑇) − csc(180 °/𝑡)
𝐿𝑝 = + 2𝐶𝑝 + Eq. 1
2 4𝐶𝑝

Eq. 1 must gives approximately the theoretical minimum length of chain in pitches for any given values of T, t, and C. The actual chain used must
contain an integral number of pitches, hence the length must be increased, above the calculated, enough to make it a multiple of the pitch. M ACHINE
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 Module 4
ROLLER CHAIN
Polygonal Effect

When the link AB is at 𝐷/2 , linear velocity is:

𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁

𝐷 𝛾 𝛾
When the link AB is at cos , linear velocity is:
2 2
𝛾
𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁. cos
2
The variation of velocity may be held to a minimum by using a
small pitch and a large number of teeth.
𝛾
𝛾

Have you noticed when riding an escalator, there is small intermittent motion?

Chain and sprocket standards and specifications will be discussed in Machine Design. M ACHINE
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 Module 4
SAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE 1
A 1-inch pitch roller chain is used with a 17-tooth sprocket rotating at 300 rpm to drive a sprocket at 100 rpm. Determine
the number of teeth on the driven sprocket, the pitch diameter of each sprocket, and the length of chain in pitches if the
center distance is 36 in.
Solution
36
𝑇1 = 17 𝑁1 = 300 𝑟𝑝𝑚 𝑁2 = 100 𝑟𝑝𝑚 𝐶 = 36 𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑝 = = 36 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
1
Solve for 𝑇2 : Chain Length
2
𝑁1 𝑇1 = 𝑁2 𝑇2 𝑇+𝑡 csc(180 °/𝑇) − csc(180 °/𝑡)
𝐿𝑝 = + 2𝐶𝑝 +
300(17) = 100𝑇2 2 4𝐶𝑝
𝑇2 = 51 51 + 17 csc(180 °/51) − csc(180 °/17) 2
𝐿𝑝 = + 2 36 + = 106.81 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑟 107 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠.
2 4 36
Solve for 𝐷1 and 𝐷2 :
1 1
𝐷1 = 𝐷2 =
180 180
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑇1 𝑇2
1 1
𝐷1 = = 5.4422 𝑖𝑛 𝐷2 = = 16.2441 𝑖𝑛
180 180
𝑠𝑖𝑛
17 𝑠𝑖𝑛
51
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 Module 4
SAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE 2
A ¾ in. pitch roller chain is running on a 15-tooth sprocket at 2000 rpm. Determine the maximum, minimum, and
average linear velocity of the chain.

Solution
360 360
Pitch Angle: 𝛾= = = 24°
𝑇 15
𝑝 0.75
Pitch Diameter: 𝐷 = = = 3.6073 𝑖𝑛.
180 180
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑇 15

2000
Maximum Velocity: 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁 = 𝜋 3.6073 = 377.75 𝑖𝑛/𝑠
60
𝛾 2000 24
Minimum Velocity: 𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁. cos = 𝜋 3.6073 𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 369.5 𝑖𝑛/𝑠
2 60 2
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝑉𝑚𝑖𝑛 2737.51 + 2321.64
Average Velocity: 𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 373.62 𝑖𝑛/𝑠
2 2

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 Module 4
SAMPLE PROBLEM
EXAMPLE 3
Two parallel shafts, 24 in. apart, are to be connected by a ¾ in. pitch silent chain. A 19-tooth sprocket rotating at 900
rpm drives a 41-tooth sprocket. Determine the speed of the driven sprocket, the pitch diameter of each sprocket, and
the length of the chain in pitches.

Solution
24
𝑝 = 3/4 𝑖𝑛 𝑁1 = 900 𝑟𝑝𝑚 𝑇1 = 19 𝐶 = 24 𝑖𝑛 𝑇2 = 41 𝐶𝑝 = = 32 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
3/4
Solve for 𝑁2 : Chain Length
2
𝑁1 𝑇1 = 𝑁2 𝑇2 𝑇+𝑡 csc(180 °/𝑇) − csc(180 °/𝑡)
𝐿𝑝 = + 2𝐶𝑝 +
900(19) = 𝑁2 (41) 2 4𝐶𝑝
𝑁2 = 417.07 41 + 19 csc(180 °/41) − csc(180 °/19) 2
𝐿𝑝 = + 2 32 + = 94.38 𝑜𝑟 95 𝑝𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
2 4 32
Solve for 𝐷1 and 𝐷2 :
1 1
𝐷1 = 𝐷2 =
180 180
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑇1 𝑇2
1 1
𝐷1 = = 6.0755 𝑖𝑛 𝐷2 = = 13.0635 𝑖𝑛
180 180
𝑠𝑖𝑛
19 𝑠𝑖𝑛
41
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