MECHANICS OF MACHINES

BMFR 3313
POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
- BELT DRIVE -
Fakulti Kejuruteraan Pembuatan
UTeM
 POWER TRANSMISSION – BELT DRIVE

Today’s Objectives: In-Class Activities:

Students will be able to: • Applications
•Identify and solve problems related • Belt drive system
to types of power transmission • Velocity ratio
system. • Effect of slip on velocity ratio
•Apply kinematics principle to • Angle of contact
solve flat and V-belt problems • Length of belt
• Tension ratio in a belt drive
• Belt system power transmission
• Effect of centrifugal tension
• Belt creep
 APPLICATION

Belt is used to transmit engine power to the wheel.

Is input pulley operating at a fairly high speed? Do the second
pulley cause the second shaft to rotate at the slower speed?
How much slower?
 CLASSIFICATION OF POWER DRIVE

POWER DRIVE

Flexible drive Direct drive

Belt drive
Gear drive
Chain drive
Cam drive
Rope drive
Used for the power transmission over
comparatively long distance.
 INTRODUCTION TO BELT DRIVE SYSTEM

 Consists of two or more pulleys (sheaves) connected with

belts
 The pulleys are mounted on shafts that are supported by
bearings
 Purpose: to transmit power and motion between shafts
 INTRODUCTION TO BELT DRIVE SYSTEM

 For speed reduction application

 the smaller sheave is mounted on the high speed shaft i.e. shaft of an electric motor.
 The larger sheave is mounted on the driven machine.
 When the belt is transmitting power, friction causes the belt to grip the
driving sheave, increasing the tension in one side, called the “tight side” of
the drive.
 The tensile force in the belt exerts a tangential force on the driven sheave,
and thus a torque is applied to the driven shaft. The opposite site of the belt,
called “slack side” is still under tension, but a smaller value.
 INTRODUCTION TO BELT DRIVE SYSTEM (cont.)
 Up to 95% efficient
 Designed to slip when an overload occurs
 Resist abrasion
 Require no lubrication (no metal to metal contact)
 Smooth running
 Quiet
 Can transmit motion and power over long distances
 Operate effectively at high speeds
 Flexible shaft center distances
 Inexpensive (when compared to other drive systems such as
chain or gear drives)
 Easy to assemble and install
 Have flexible tolerances
 Absorb shock well
 Easy and inexpensive to maintain
BELT TYPES

 Flat Belt
 V Belt
 Synchronous Belt
(timing belt)
 FLAT BELT

A flat belt is the simplest type but is

typically limited to low-torque
applications because the driving
force is restricted to pure friction
between the belt and the pulley.
Uses/advantages: Disadvantages:
 Consists of a strong elastic core i.e. steel or  tend to slip under load
nylon to take the tension and transmit power,
combined with a flexible envelope to provide  lower efficiency at moderate speeds
friction between the belt and pulley  must be kept under tension to function
 Efficient for high-speed applications (up to (require tensioning devices); causes high
140,000 rpm)
bearing loads
 Quiet
 Can transmit large amount of power over long  require friction for proper functioning
center distances  stretch over time
 Applications requiring small pulley diameters (as
small as 3/8")
 Can transmit power around corners or between
pulley at the right angle to each other
 belt can be twisted
 Useful in group-drive installations because of the
clutching action that can be obtained.
 V-BELT
A V-belt is the most widely used type of belt,
particularly in automotive and industrial
machines. The V shape causes the belt to
wedge tightly into the pulley, increasing
friction and allowing higher operating
torque.
Uses/advantages:
 Made of fabric & cord i.e. cotton, rayon, nylon Disadvantages:
& impregnated rubber  improper belt tension can reduce service life
 Useful in automotive, household, industrial,  belt life at increased temperatures (above
and agricultural applications
82oC) is significantly shorted
 Applications requiring smaller pulleys and at
short distance  require friction for proper functioning
 easy to install and replace
 low maintenance
 provide shock absorption between driver and
driven shafts
 useful with temperature range of 1oC to 82oC
 are 90-98% efficient
 maximum satisfactory speed ratio is
approximately 6:1
 Multi-V-belt

A multi-V-belt is design is identical

to several V-belts placed side by side
but is integrally connected. It is used
to increase the amount of power
transferred.
 Cog belt

A cog belt is similar to a V-belt but has grooves

formed on the inner surface. This feature increases
belt flexibility, allowing the belt to turn smaller radii.
Thus, it can be used on smaller pulleys, reducing the
size of the drive.
 SYNCHRONOUS BELT

A timing belt has gear-like teeth that engage

with mating teeth on the pulleys. This
arrangement combines the flexibility of a
belt with the positive grip of a gear drive.
This belt is widely used in applications
where relative positioning of the respective
shafts is desired.
Uses/advantages: Disadvantages:
 Made of rubberized fabric and steel wire,  shorter center distance required than flat belts
having teeth which fit into grooves cut on  used on parallel shafts only
the periphery of the pulleys  cost
 useful in operations requiring high
efficiency, timing or constant velocity
 no slippage
 will not stretch
 required belt tension is very low
 speed is transmitted uniformly
 BELT DRIVE ARRANGEMENT
 Machines operated by belt drives must have an idler, an
adjustable base, or both
 Idler is use to
 change the position of belt
 help maintain constant tension on the belt
 VELOCITY RATIO

The length of belt that passes over

the driver in one minute is equal to
the length of belt that passes over the
follower in one minute, therefore

Assumption : no slipping & that the belt is inelastic

 EFFECT OF SLIP ON VELOCITY RATIO

 Although belt-drive depends on friction for power

transmission, there are factors that contribute to the
inefficiency of the drive. This inefficiency is known as belt
slip where frictional force is not strong enough to hold the
belt in its place, causing the sheaves to rotate without
affecting the belt.

 When there is insufficient friction between a belt and the

pulley, the belt cannot take up more loads; it results in the belt
slipping over the pulley, the phenomenon is called belt slip.
Belt slip results in loss of motion and power.
EFFECT OF SLIP ON VELOCITY RATIO
 EFFECT OF SLIP ON VELOCITY RATIO

 Normally belt slip is expressed as a percentage and denoted

by G :
 G1 = Percentage of slip between belt and driver sheave
 G2 = Percentage of slip between belt and driven sheave
 G = Total percentage slip = G1 + G2

N 2 d1  G 
n  1 - 
N1 d 2  100 
 Again, by considering the thickness of the belt, t, then the
velocity ratio:

N 2 d1  t  G 
n  1 - 
N1 d 2  t  100 
 EXAMPLE 1

A horizontal shaft running at 300 rpm is to drive

a parallel shaft at 400 rpm. The diameter of the
pulley on the driving shaft is 60 cm. If the belt is 8 mm
thick,
Find: the diameter of the driven pulley if
(a) neglecting belt thickness.
(b) taking belt thickness into account.
(c) there is slip of 5 % (belt thickness is neglected)
(d) there is slip of 5 % (belt thickness is considered)
 EXAMPLE 1 (cont.)
Solution
(a) neglecting belt thickness.
driven vel ocity N 2 d1
n  
driver vel ocity N1 d 2
N   300 
 d 2  d1  1   60   45cm
 2
N  400 

(b) taking belt thickness into account.

driven vel ocity N 2 d1  t 
n  
driver vel ocity N1 d 2  t 

N   300 
 d 2  d1  t  1   t  60  0.8   0.8  44.8cm
 N2   400 
 EXAMPLE 1 (cont.)

(c) there is slip of 5 % (belt thickness is neglected)

driven velocity N 2 d1  G 
n   1  ; where G  G1  G2
driver velocity N1 d 2  100 

     
 d 2  d1 1  G  N1   601  5  300   42.75cm
 100  N 2   100  400 

(d) there is slip of 5 % (belt thickness is considered)

driven velocity N 2 d1  t   G 

n   1  ; where G  G1  G2
driver velocity N 1 d 2  t  100 

 G  N1   5  300 
 d 2  d1  t 1            0.8  42.52cm
 100  N 2 
t 60 0.8 1
 100  400 
 EXAMPLE 2

An induction motor shaft, running at 1200rpm drives a

workshop main shaft by a flat belt drive. The diameter
of the pulley on the motor shaft is 40cm and that on the
main shaft is 70cm. If there is 3% slip on each pulley,

Find: the speeds of the main shaft.

Assume the belt thickness is neglected

 EXAMPLE 2

Solution

driven vel ocity N 2 d1  G1  G2 

n   1  
driver vel ocity N1 d 2  100 

 N2 
d1
N1 1  G1  G2    40 12001  3  3   644.57rpm
d2  100   70   100 
Length of Open belt
 LENGTH OF BELT

OPEN BELT DRIVE

Lopen   r1  r2   2 X 
r1  r2 
2

X
 LENGTH OF BELT

CROSS BELT DRIVE

Lcross   r1  r2   2 X 
r1  r2 
2

X
 EXAMPLE 4

Two parallel shafts are connected by cross belt,

running over pulleys 30cm and 50cm diameters
respectively. The centre distance between the
shafts is 5m. It is desired to alter the direction of
rotation of the driven shaft without altering that
of the driving shaft. State if the same belt can be
used. If not, what is the remedy?
 EXAMPLE 4 (cont.)

Solution
Change the cross belt drive system to open belt drive system to alter the
direction of rotation of the driven shaft without altering that of the driving
shaft.
r1  r2 2
Lcross   r1  r2   2 X 
X

 Lcross 

d1  d 2  2X  d1  d 2 
2



0.3  0.5  25  0.3  0.5
2
 11.29m
2 4X 2 45

r1  r2 2
Lopen   r1  r2   2 X 
X

 Lopen 

d1  d 2   2X  d1  d 2 
2



0.3  0.5  25  0.3  0.5
2
 11.26m
2 4X 2 45

L  Lcross  Lopen  11.29  11.26  0.03m

So, shorten the belt by 0.03m.

 POWER TRANSMTTED BY BELT

 The driving pulley (or driver) A and

the driven pulley (or follower) B.
 The driving pulley pulls the belt from
one side and delivers the same to the
other side.
 The tension on tight side will be
greater than the slack side

Torque exerted on
TENSION RATIO IN
A FLAT BELT DRIVE
 TENSION RATIO IN A BELT DRIVE

T1= Tension on the tight

side of the belt

T2= Tension on the slack

side of the belt

θ = Angle of contacts

 = Coefficient of
friction between
pulley and belt
FLAT BELT DRIVE

T1
 e  ; T [ N ],  [radian]
T2
 TENSION RATIO IN A BELT DRIVE

V-BELT DRIVE

  
 
T1  sin    cos ec 
e 
e ; T [ N ],  [radian],  [degree]
T2
ANGLE OF CONTACT
 ANGLE OF CONTACT

OPEN BELT DRIVE

r1  r2
 open  ;  [radian]
X

Angle of contact,  open    2 ;  [radian]

 ANGLE OF CONTACT

CROSS BELT DRIVE

r1  r2
 cross  ;  [radian]
X

Angle of contact, cross    2 ;  [radian]

 EXAMPLE 3

For a belt-drive system, the diameter of the

bigger sheave is 7cm and the diameter of the
smaller sheave is 3cm. Given the center distance
between sheaves is 8cm.

Find: the angle of contact for smaller sheaves if

the system is
 open belt drive
 cross belt drive
 EXAMPLE 3
 open belt drive
r1  r2 1.5  3.5
   0.25rad
X 8

    2    20.25  2.6416rad  151.35

 cross belt drive

r1  r2 1.5  3.5
   0.625rad
X 8

    2    20.625  4.3916rad  251.62

BELT SYSTEM POWER TRANSMISSION

Driver tor que,  1  T1  T2 r1;  [ Nm]

Driven tor que,  2  T1  T2 r2 ;  [ Nm]

Power, P  T1  T2 v; P[Watt]

 1 
PFlat belt drive  T1 1   v
 e 
 
 1 
PV-belt drive  T1 1   v
 sin  
 e 
 CENTRIFUGAL & CENTRIPETAL FORCE

According to Newton’s Third

Law, all forces have
reactions of the same
magnitude but act in the
opposite direction. Since a
rotating body experiences
centripetal force, its reaction
acts in the opposite direction.
This reaction is known as
centrifugal force and its
direction is outwards from the
axis of rotation.
 CENTRIFUGAL & CENTRIPETAL FORCE

 Centripetal force is force that acts by pulling a rotating

mass towards the axis of rotation. Consider a mass m
moving around a circle of radius r at angular velocity . Its
normal acceleration directed towards the center of the circle
is:
an   2 r
 Therefore, the centripetal force that acts on the body is:

Fn  man  m 2 r
 The magnitude of centripetal and centrifugal force is
same but opposite direction.
 EFFECT OF CENTRIFUGAL TENSION

Since the belt has mass and as the belt rotates, there is
a tendency for the belt to be ‘thrown out’ of the belt
causing the tension in the belt to increase and the
centrifugal force, Fc will be exist. m = mass of belt per unit
length
Tc  mv 2 ; Tc [ N ] Tc = centrifugal tension

FC T1  Tc
 e 
T2  Tc FOR FLAT BELT
  
T1  Tc  
 sin  
e FOR V-BELT
T2  Tc
 EFFECT OF CENTRIFUGAL TENSION

As a conclusion, when the mass of the belt is considered, the

centrifugal force would be exist and the effective driving
tensions:
T1  Tc & T2  Tc

And the power transmitted by a belt drive:

 1 
 
PFlat belt drive  T1  Tc 1   
v
 e 
 
 
PV-belt drive  T1  Tc 1  
1
v
 
 e sin  
 EFFECT OF CENTRIFUGAL TENSION

For the maximum power transmitted by a belt drive,

centrifugal tension is:
1
Tc  T1
3

1
Tc  mv mv  T1 2 2

As we know that , so: 3

And:
 
 2  1  T1   2  1  T1 
Pmax (Flat belt drive)   T1 1    Pmax (V-belt drive)   T1 1    3m 
 3  e  3m   3   
 e sin  
 BELT CREEP

 Belt creep happens due to the elasticity of belt. It can be

defined as a situation in which a portion of the belt elongated
while the other does not.

 Due to elastic condition , v1 ≠ v2

v2  T1  T2 
 1  
v1  A E 
A  cross section area of belt drive [m 2 ]
E  modulus of elasticity of belt drive[ N m 2 ]
v  velocity of pulley [ms 1 ]
 EXAMPLE 5
An open flat belt drive connects two pulleys with the diameter of the driver is
0.5m and the driven is 1.2m are on parallel shafts 3.6m apart as shown. The belt has a
mass, m = 0.9kg/m, cross section area, A = 320mm2 and modulus of elasticity, E =
300MN/m2. The maximum tension is not to exceed 2kN. The driver pulley runs at
200rpm. If given the coefficient of friction,  = 0.3,

Driven, d2= 1.2m

T1
Driver, d1 = 0.5m

T2
Determine
 the angle of contact. 3.6m
 the velocity of drive pulley.
 the power transmitted if the belt is inelastic and the mass of the belt is neglected.
 the power transmitted if the belt is inelastic and the effect of centrifugal force is
considered.
 the power transmitted if the belt is elastic and the effect of centrifugal force is
considered.
 the torque required on each pulley and the effect of centrifugal force is considered.
 EXAMPLE 5 (cont.)
 the angle of contact.
r1  r2 0.25  0.6
   0.0972rad
X 3.6

    2    20.0972  2.9472rad  168.86

 the velocity of drive pulley.

 2  N1   2  200 
v1  r11  r1    0.25   5.24ms
-1

 60   60 

 the power transmitted if the belt is inelastic and the mass of the belt is
neglected.
Due to inelastic condition, v1 = v2
T1
 e 
T2
T1 2  10 3
 T2    0.32.9472  826.122 N
e e
 EXAMPLE 5 (cont.)

P  T1  T2 v 2  T1  T2 v1  2000  826.1225.24  6151.12W

OR
 1   1 
P  T1 1   v 2  T1 1   v1
 e   e 

  
 2  10 3 1  0.32.9472 5.24   6151.12W
1
 e 

 the power transmitted if the belt is inelastic and the effect of centrifugal force is considered.

Tc  mv2  mv1  0.95.24  24.71N

2 2 2
Tension in the belt due to centrifugal force,

T1  Tc
 e 
T2  Tc
T1  Tc 2000 - 24.71
 T2   T   24.71  840.6253N
e  e 0.32.9472
c

P  T1  T2 v 2  T1  T2 v1  2000  840.62535.24  6075.12W

 EXAMPLE 5 (cont.)

OR

 1   1 
P  T1  Tc 1   v 2  T1  Tc 1   v1
 e   e 
 
 2000  24.711  0.32.9472 5.24   6075.12 W
1
 e 

 the power transmitted if the belt is elastic and the effect of centrifugal force is considered.
Due to elastic condition, v1 ≠ v2 and effect of belt creep is occurred. Tension in the belt due
to centrifugal force,
Tc  mv1  0.95.24  24.71N
2 2

T1  Tc
 e 
T2  Tc
T1  Tc 2000 - 24.71
 T2  
 Tc  0.32.9472  24.71  840.6253N
e e
 EXAMPLE 5 (cont.)
v2 T  T2 
 1 1
v1 A E
 T  T2   2000  840.63   5.1767m/s
 v 2  v1 1  1    
 A  E 
5.24



1
  
320  10 6 300  10 6 

P  T1  T2 v 2  2000  840.62535.1767   6001.74W

OR

 1   
P  T1  Tc 1   v 2  2000  24.711  0.32.9472 5.1767   6001.74W
1
 e   e 

 the torque required on each pulley and the effect of centrifugal force is considered.

 driver  T1  T2 r1  2000  840.630.25  289.84 Nm

 driven  T1  T2 r2  2000  840.630.6  695.62Nm

 GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING
An open V belt drive connects two pulleys with the diameter of the driver is 0.5m and
the driven is 1.2m are on parallel shafts 3.6m apart as shown in Figure 1.2. The belt
has a mass, m = 0.9kg/m, cross section area, A = 320mm2 and modulus of elasticity, E
= 300MN/m2. The angle of the groove is 60o. The maximum tension is not to exceed
2kN. The driver pulley runs at 200rpm. If given the coefficient of friction,  = 0.3,

Driven, d2= 1.2m

T1 Driver, d1 = 0.5m

T2
Find: 3.6m
 the angle of contact.
 the velocity of drive pulley.
 the power transmitted if the belt is inelastic and the mass of the belt is neglected.
 the power transmitted if the belt is inelastic and the effect of centrifugal force is
considered.
 the power transmitted if the belt is elastic and the effect of centrifugal force is
considered.
 the torque required on each pulley and the effect of centrifugal force is considered.
 Examples

1. An engine running at 150 r.p.m. drives a line shaft by means of a belt. The engine pulley is 750mm diameter and the pulley on the line
shaft is 450mm. A 900mm diameter pulley on the line shaft drives 150mm diameter pulley keyed to a dynamo shaft. Find the speed of
dynamo shaft, when:
a) There is no slip
b) There is a slip of 2% at each drive

1. A prime pulley running at 300 rpm drives a D.C generator at 500 rpm by a belt drive. Given that, a diameter of the prime pulley is
60 cm. Assuming slip of 3 per cent, determine the diameter of generator pulley, if the belt thickness is 6mm.
[Answer : 0.346 m ]

1. A pulley is 15 cm in a diameter mounted on induction motor shaft running at 950 rpm drives a main shaft at 300 rpm by belt drive.
The belt is 5 mm thickness and 15 cm wide. Determine the size of the pulley on the main shaft if there is slip of 4 percent between the
belt and each pulley.
[Answer : 0.447 m ]

1. The diameter of a pulley on the driving shaft rotating at 120 rpm is 60cm. A countershaft is to be driven at 300 rpm by an open belt
drive, µ = 0.3 and the distance between the centre line of the shaft is 2.4 meters. Determine the tension on the tight and slack side of
the belt to transmit 3kW power.
[Answer : T1 =1340 N, T2 = 547 N ]
1. A driver pulley with a diameter of 200mm is connected to a power source with speed of 1500 rpm. A driven pulley with a diameter
800mm is connected to a driver pulley using a flat belt. The distances between these two pulleys are 1m. If the tension at the tight side
is 800 N, find :

a) Maximum power transmitted if the pulley is in inelastic condition and the weight of the belt can be neglected.
b) Maximum power transmitted if the pulley is in inelastic condition and the weight of the belt is considered.
c) Maximum power transmitted if the pulley is in elastic condition and the effect of the centrifugal is considered.
Given A = 4 x 10-6 m2; E = 300 MPa; m = 0.4 kg/m and  =0.4.
[Answer : 8 kW ; 7027.74 kW ; 4406.89 kW ]
 Examples

1. Two pulleys, one 450mm diameter and the other 200mm diameter, on parallel shafts 1.95m apart are connected by a
crossed belt. Find the length of the belt required and the angle of contact between the belt and each pulley. What
power can be transmitted by the belt when the larger pulley rotates at 200 rev/min, if the maximum permissible
tension in the belt is 1kN, and the coefficient of friction between the belt and pulley is 0.25?
[Answer : 3.477 rad, 2.738kW]

1. A pulley with a diameter of 200mm driving another pulley with a speed of 1750 rpm by an open belt drive. The
diameter of the driven pulley is 800mm. The distant between 2 shafts is 1m and the weight of belt is 0.5 kg/m and
maximum allowance tension is 800N.

a) If the coefficient of friction of the belt is 0.3, determine the difference of the maximum tension of the belt.
b) If the modulus of elasticity E is 500MN/mm2 and the cross section of the belt is 400mm2, determine the maximum
velocity of the driven pulley and the power transmitted.
[Answer : 337.07 N ; 6162.18 kW ]

1. A belt drive consists of two V-belts in parallel, on grooved pulleys of the same size. The angle of the groove is 300.
The cross sectional area of each belt is 750 mm2 and µ = 0.12. The density of the belt material is 1.2 Mg/m3 and the
maximum safe stress in the material is 7 MN/ m2. Calculate the power that can be transmitted between pulleys of 300
mm diameter rotating at 1500 rev/min. Find also the shaft speed in rev/min at which the power transmitted would be
maximum.
[Answer : 172 kW; 2800 rev/min]