Chain Drive

3
Chain Drives

Chain

o is a power transmission element made of a series pin connected links. Its design provides
for flexibility while enabling to transmit large tensile forces. (Robert L. Mott, 1999)

o are made up of number of rigid links which are hinged together by pin joints in order to
provide the necessary flexibility for wrapping round the driving and driven wheels.
(Khurmi; Gupta, 2005)

o a series of connected links which are typically made of metal and may consist of two or
more links.

Sprocket
o is a profiled wheel with teeth that meshes with chain, track, perforated and or indented
metal.

The chains are mostly used to transmit motion and power from one shaft to another, when the
center distance between their shafts is short such as in bicycles, motor cycles, agricultural
machinery, conveyors, rolling mills, road rollers etc.

The chains may also be used for long center distance of up to 8 m. The chains are used for
velocities up to 25 m / s and for power up to 110 kW. In some cases, higher power transmission
is also possible.

Characteristics of Chain drives:

o High axial stiffness; Low bending stiffness

o High efficiency, (98 - 99%)
o Relatively cheap in construction

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 Chain Drive

Figure 3-1 Sprockets

and Chain

Classification of Chain

The chains, on the basis of power transmission, are classified into the following:

1. Conveyor (or tractive) chains

2. Power transmitting (or driving) chains

Conveyor Chains

o are used for elevating and conveying the materials continuously at a speed up to 2 m / s.

The conveyor chains are usually made of malleable cast iron. These chains do not have
smooth running qualities. The conveyor chains run at slow speeds of about 0.8 to 3 m / s.

Types of Conveyor chain

1. Detachable or hook joint type chain, and

2. Closed joint type chain

Figure 3-2 Detachable and

Closed type Conveyor chain

Power transmitting chain

o are used for transmission of power, when the distance between the centers of shafts is
short.

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 Chain Drive

Types of Power transmitting chain

1. Block or bush chain - This type of chain was used in the early stages of development in
the power transmission. It produces noise when approaching or leaving the teeth of the
sprocket because of rubbing between the teeth and the links. This type of chains is used
to some extent as conveyor chain at small speed.
2. Bush roller chain - It consists of outer plates or pin link plates, inner plates or roller link
plates, pins, bushes and rollers. A pin passes through the bush which is secured in the
holes of the roller between the two sides of the chain. The rollers are free to rotate on the
bushes which protect the sprocket wheel teeth against wear. The pins, bushes and rollers
are made of alloy steel. This is the most widely used of the various types of chain power
drives.
3. Silent chain – also known as inverted tooth chain. It is designed to eliminate the evil
effects caused by stretching and to produce noiseless running. When properly lubricated,
this chain gives durable service and runs very smoothly and quietly.

Figure 3-3 Block

or bush chain

Figure 3-4 Bush

Roller chain

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 Chain Drive

Figure 3 – 5 Types
of Roller chain

Figure 3 -6 Silent Chain

Formulae for Chain Drives

Factor of safety, N

o N= eq. (3-1)

where: WB – breaking strength of the chain, (for Roller chain, 106 p2 – Newtons)
(for silent chain, 106 p – N/mm width)
W – total load on the driving side of the chain, ∑(FT + FC + FS)
p – pitch diameter
FT – tangential driving force
FC – centrifugal tension
FS – sagging tension

Tangential tension acting on the chain

o FT = , Newtons eq. (3-2)

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 Chain Drive

where: P – power transmitted, watts

v – speed of chain, m/s

Centrifugal tension/force

o FC = m(v2), Newtons eq. (3-3)

Tension on chain due to sagging

o FS = Cs (mg) C, Newtons eq. (3-4)

where: m – mass of chain, kg/meter length

C – center distance, m
Cs – chain arrangement constant,
(2 – 6 center line distances is inclined to the horizontal ≤ 400)
(1 – 15 center line distances is inclined to the horizontal ≥ 400)

Table 3 – 1 Service
factors for chain drives1

Type of driver
Load type Hydraulic Electric ICE (mechanical
drive motor drive or turbine
Smooth (agitator; fans; light, uniformly loaded 1.0 1.0 1.2
conveyor)

Moderate shock (machine tools, cranes, heavy 1.2 1.3 1.4

conveyors, food mixers and grinders)

Heavy shock (punch presses, hammer mills, 1.4 1.5 1.7

reciprocating conveyors, rolling mill drives)
1
(Robert L.Mott, 1999, Machine Elements in Mechanical Design, 3rd edition, Prentice-Hall Pte Ltd. Singapore)

Table 3 – 2 Factor of safety

Bush roller and silent chain2

2
(R. S. Khurmi; J. K. Gupta, 2005, A Textbook of Machine Design, EurAsia Publishing House (Pvt.) Ltd., Ram Nagar, New Delhi)

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 Chain Drive

Minimum teeth on smaller sprockets

o Nt = 12 , very low speed

= 17 , low speed
= 21 , moderate speed
= 25 , high speed

Linear chain speed, Vm

( ) ( )
o Vm = = , fpm eq. (3 – 5)

where: D – pitch diameter sprocket, in

n – angular speed, rpm
p – pitch of chain, in
p(Nt) – circumference of the sprocket

Design Horsepower

o Design hp = transmitted hp (Nsf) eq. (3 – 6)

o Rated hp = 0.004 (Nts (1.08) n (0.9) P (3 – 0.70(P) for link plate fatigue eq. (3 – 7)

o Rated hp = Kr (100 Nts/n)1.5 P (0.8) for roller – bushing impact eq. (3 – 8)

Note: In solving rated hp, smaller value govern the design

where: Nts – number of teeth on the smaller sprocket

n – rpm smaller sprocket
P – chain pitch, in
Kr – chain factor, 17 for chain nos. (40 to 240)
Kr – 34 for chain no. (41)
Kr – 29 for chain nos. (25 and 35)

Length of chain

( )
o L= + , pitches eq. (3 – 9)

where: C – center distance, in

P – pitch, in

( )
o L = 2C + , pitches eq. (3 – 10)

where: C – center distance, pitches

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 Chain Drive

Exact theoretical center distance

o C = *( ) (( ) (( ( )
)
)) + , pitches eq. (3-11)

The minimum center distance for the velocity transmission ratio of, VR = 3, may be taken as,

o Cmin = + (1.181 in. to 1.968 in.) eq. (3 – 12)

For best results, the minimum center distance should be 30 to 50 times the pitch. The
minimum center distance is selected depending upon the velocity ratio so that the arc of contact
of the chain on the smaller sprocket is not less than 120º.
It may be noted that larger angle of arc of contact ensures a more uniform distribution of load
on the sprocket teeth and better conditions of engagement.

Pitch diameter of sprocket

o D = P/sin (1800/Nt) eq. (3-13)

Pitch of a link

o P=( ) eq. (3-14)

Type of Lubrication

Most chain manufacturer’s recommend three methods of applying lubrication, depending

on the linear speed of the chain. A constant supply of clean oil is essential to smooth operation
and satisfactorily life of the chain drive.

Types of Lubrication

1. Type I (170 – 650 fpm) – Manual drip

2. Type II (651 – 1500 fpm) – Bath or disc
3. Type III (1501 – 10,000 fpm) – Oil stream

Sample Problem

Determine the horsepower rating for No. 40 roller chain if input is through 12-tooth
sprocket turning at 1800 rpm and output turns at 900 rpm. Sprocket centerlines are 10 inches
apart?

Solution:
 Nt1 = 12; n1 = 1800 rpm; n2 = 900; P = 5.31; C = 10 – in.; No. 40 chain, P = ½ -in.
 Using eq. (3-5), V1 = V2, Nt2 = Nt1(n1/n2) = 24 teeth
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 Chain Drive

 Resulting to surface speed, V = 900 fpm

 Pitch diameter of smaller sprocket, d1 = 1.91 in.
 Pitch diameter of larger sprocket, D2 = 3.82 in.
 To determine the pitch length, use eq. (3-9), L = 29.08 inches chain
 Horsepower rating, eq. (3-7), P = 7.936 hp for link plate fatigue
 Horsepower rating, eq. (3-8), P = 5.315 hp for roller-bushing impact, where Kr = 17
 Therefore, smaller value govern the design for No. 40 roller chain, P = 5.315 hp Ans.
 Type of lubrication: since the chain operates at 900 fpm, the lubrication should be bath
or disc application

Sample problem

Design a chain drive for uniformly loaded conveyor to be driven by a gasoline engine
through a mechanical drive. The input speed will be 900 rpm, and the desired output speed is 230
to 240 rpm. The conveyor requires 15 hp and uses 2 – triplex chain. Determine the pitch of
chain, length, center distance and sprocket diameters (driver and driven)?

Solution:

 Application: Conveyor ; Drive: mechanical (gasoline engine)

 n1 = 900 rpm ; n2 = 230 – 240 rpm ≈ 235 rpm
 Nsf = 1.2, uniformly loaded conveyor (Table 3-1), mechanical drive
 Gasoline engine is considered as at moderate speed, Nt1 = 21 teeth
 n1 = 900 rpm for smaller sprocket
 applying eq. (3-6), transmitted hp = 12.5 hp
 applying eq. (3-14), P = 1-in., Table 17.8 (Faires)
 for best result Cmin = 30(P) to 50(P), taking 40(P), Cmin ≈ 40 in., P = 1-in
 V = 1575 fpm and Nt2 = 80 teeth
 L = 132.7 links (pitches), eq. (3-9); use 132 because links must contain even integer
number
 C = 39.64 ≈ 40 links or 40 in., eq. (3-11)
 D1 = 6.68 in ; D2 = 25.6 in

Sample problem

A 15 hp motor, running at 1180 rpm, is to drive a two-stage reciprocating hydrogen

compressor. The velocity ratio is to be about 3.2; service normally 8 hrs per day. It has been
decided to use a 0.5 inch pitch (No. 40) chain. Determine the sprocket sizes. Assume 2 strands.

Solution:

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 Chain Drive

 n1 = 1180 rpm, moderate speed

 Nsf = 1.4, two – stage reciprocating compressor (mechanical drive) (Table 17.7, p. 460)
 For 2 strands, multiplier is 1.7, Table 17.9 (Faires) (p. 469)
 Design hp = 21 hp, eq. (3-6)
 Hp/strand = 21/1.7 = 12.35 hp/strand
 V = 1033 fpm, eq. (3-5)
( )
 VR = 3.2; =( ) ; D1 = 3.34 in
 VR = ; Nt2 = 67 teeth
 D2 = 10.35 in.

Sample problem

Due to high maintenance & cost of electric power of air-conditioning unit, a restaurant
owner decided to install a used fan that could delivers 15,000 ft3/min of air when running at 300
rpm. The fan is estimated to require at least 3.5 hp to deliver the volume air needed. The owner
has second hand motor rated at 4.5 hp and 1750 rpm. He would like to use a standard chain and
sprocket for the transmission.
Determine the following:
a. no. of teeth & pitch diameter of smaller sprocket
b. no. of teeth & pitch diameter of bigger sprocket
c. pitch of a roller chain
d. recommended center distance
e. length of chain

Solution:

 Fan capacity = 15, 000 ft3

 Fan speed = 300 rpm
 Fan motor hp = 3.5 hp
 Motor rated hp = 4.5 hp
 Motor speed = 1750 rpm
 Service factor = 1.0 electric motor under smooth application
 Eq. (3-6), Design hp = 5.4 hp
 Pitch of a link, eq. (3-14), P = 0.6419-in. ≈ 5/8 in.
 at low speed, minimum number of teeth for smaller sprocket is, Nt1= 17.
 Pitch diameter of smaller sprocket, d = 3.40 in.
 D = 18.50 in., diameter larger sprocket
 No. of teeth larger sprocket, Nt2 = 99 teeth
 Center line distance, C = 25 in., 30(P) to 50(P) = 40(P) with 5/8 –in pitch
 L = 142 links (pitches), make sure length is an even number

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 Chain Drive

Name:______________________________________ Date:_____________ Score:__________

Problem exercises: (to be submitted on May 24, 2013)
PROBLEM
A chain drive is used to connect a 1200 rpm motor to a centrifugal pump rated at 978 gpm
against a head of 45 ft, 300 rpm. Pump efficiency is 65% and chain drive efficiency is 97%.
Water is pump 20 hrs a day under average condition.
a. specify the roller chain to be used, if d = 1.625 in
b. required center distance between shafts for this application
c. type of lubrication to be applied

SOLUTION

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 Chain Drive

PROBLEM

Select a chain that could give a satisfactory drive for a centrifugal pump connected to an 1150
rpm induction motor. The pump has a capacity of 1000 gpm against a head of 360 in and running
at 575 rpm. The efficiency of the pump and chain drive is 63% and 98% respectively. The pump
works 10 hrs per day to pump out the water.
a. for roller chain
b. silent chain
c. inverted tooth chain
d. select for the type of lubrication to be applied

SOLUTION

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 Chain Drive

PROBLEM

The conveyor is to be design with the following data: Rated capacity, 40 tons per hr; linear belt
speed, 250 fpm; Conveyor pulley dia., 30 in; vertical rise, 100 ft; Center distance, 412.3 ft.
The belt is driven by a gear reducer through a chain drive. Low speed reduction drive is driven
by a motor through v-belt with a speed of 1750 rpm. Determine the following:
a. specify the conveyor belt width and type of belt to be used.
b. power on the drive shaft
c. size of motor to be used
d. specify the v-belt drive
e. specify the chain drive

SOLUTION

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 Chain Drive

DESIGN PROBLEM # 3

Name: Rating:
Course/Yr: Date:

CHAIN DRIVE DESIGN

PROBLEM

A chain drive is used to connect a 1200 rpm motor to a centrifugal pump rated at 3700
li/min against a head of 7.5 m at 520 rpm. The efficiency of the pump is 65% and the chain drive
efficiency is 97%. Water pump is working 24 hr per day. Specify the roller chain to be used if
the centerline distance is about where D and d, are diameters of large and small sprocket
respectively.

SOLUTION

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 Chain Drive

DESIGN PROBLEM # 3 continuation

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