Chain Drives

Chain Drives
Chain drive is a way of transmitting mechanical power from one place to another. It is often used
to convey power to the wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and motorcycles. It is also used in a wide
variety of machines besides vehicles. Roller chain is mostly used to transmit power. A chain is a power
transmission element made as a series of pin‐connected links. Load is applied by the driving sprocket on
the chain, the load is transmitted to a bushing, pin, and pair of link plates, pins and link plates push the
driven sprocket to run.
Most often, the power is conveyed by a roller chain known as the drive chain or transmission
chain, passing over a sprocket gear, with the teeth of the gear meshing with the holes in the links of the
chain.
The belt drive is not a positive drive because of creep and slip. The chain drive is a positive drive.
Like belts, chains can be used for larger centre distances. They are made of metal and due to this chain is
heavier than the belt but they are flexible like belts. It also requires lubrication from time to time. The
lubricant prevents chain from rusting and reduces wear. The chain and chain drive are shown in Figure
The sprockets are used in place of pulleys. The projected teeth of sprockets fit in the recesses of the chain.
The distance between roller centers of two adjacent links is known as pitch. The circle passing through
the pitch centers is called pitch circle.
Out of these three categories roller chain shown in Figure (b) is most commonly used. The
construction of this type of chain is shown in the figure. The roller is made of steel and then hardened to
reduce the wear. A good roller chain is quiter in operation as compared to the block chain and it has lesser
wear. The block chain is shown in Figure (a). It is used for low-speed drive. The inverted tooth chain is
shown in Figures (c) and (d). It is also called as silent chain because it runs very quietly even at higher
speeds.
Advantages of chain drive:

1. As no slip takes place during chain drive, hence perfect velocity ratio is obtained.
2. Since the chains are made of metal, therefore they occupy less space in width than a belt or rope
drive.
3. It may be used for both long as well as short distances.
4. It gives a high transmission efficiency (unto 98 percent).
5. It gives less load on the shafts.
6. It has the ability to transmit motion to several shafts by one chain only.
7. It transmits more power than belts.
8. It permits high speed ratio of 8 to 10 in one step.
9. It can be operated under adverse temperature and atmospheric conditions.
10. Easy to install and repair
Disadvantages of Chain Drives

1. Noisy
2. Need lubrication
3. Weight of the chain
4. Costly compare to belt
Limitations of chain drive
1. The production cost of chains is relatively high.
2. The chain drive needs accurate mounting and careful maintenance, particularly lubrication and
slack adjustment.
3. The chain drive has velocity fluctuations especially when unduly stretched.
CHAIN - a sequence of items of the same type forming a line, circle or a closed and open path.
TYPES OF CHAIN
BASIS OF USE:
a. HOISTING AND HAULING
• CHAIN SPEED>.25m/s
b. CONVEYOR
• .8<C.S.3
c. POWER TRANSMITTING
• USED FOR SHORT DISTANCE
BASIS OF CONSTRUCTION:
a. Roller Chains
• Rotate on the teeth of a sprocket
• Large reduction ratio (usually up to 1:7)
• Chains can be used with long shaft center distances (normally up to 4m). By changing the
number of links, it is possible to freely adjust the shaft center distance.
• The chain can be used on both sides and drive multiple shafts at the same time.
• Easy installation and replacement (easy to cut and connect chains).
• If the distance between shafts is short, it can be used vertically.
• The sprocket diameter of a chain drive could be smaller than a belt pulley while
transmitting the same torque.
• Transmitting power by meshing many teeth results in less wear of sprocket teeth than
gears.
• Chain drives have greater shock absorption than gear drives.
b. Roller less Chains

• No roller links
• Used on lifts and hoists
c. Silent Chains
• Sometimes called inverted tooth chain
• Used at speeds and loads higher than roller chains
• Sprocket, teeth different shape, grove in the middle
d. Inverted tooth drive chains
• Inverted tooth drive chain is the optimal solution for requirements exceeding those met
by other chains (e. g. roller chains).
• They allow for low-backlash drives with exact positioning.
• They are also highly effective, inured to vibration and have minimal noise emission.
Chain Drives ‐ Nomenclature

a. Pitch - Is the distance between the centers of two adjacent pins.
b. Pitch circle radius (rc) - Distance between the pin center and the center of sprocket, when the
hinge is meshed with that sprocket.
Chain Drives ‐ Classification
a. Hoisting and hauling (or crane) chains
• Can be used up to 0.25m/s
• Two types : Oval and square links
b. Conveyor Chains
• Used for elevating and conveying within 0.8 to 3m/s.
• Two types : Detachable or hook joint, closed joint type.
c. Power Transmitting Chains

• Used for short center distance.
• Three types : Block or bush chain; Bush roller chain; Silent chain
Chain Drives – Lubrication
o The performance of chain assembly is improved by proper lubrication.
o It reduces the friction and act as a coolant.
o Improper lubrication produces premature chain failure.
o Lubrication types depend upon the speed and environment.
o It is very important for the effective and durable functioning of chains.
o The chains are lubricated by light or medium mineral oils like SAE30.SAE40,SAE50
Methods of lubrication
1. Manual lubrication: Lube is applied periodically using brush or oil can. e.g., cycle or bike chain.
2. Drip lubrication: oil drips with sufficient flow is directed on the chain. e.g., Conveyor chains,
engine.
3. Bath or Disc lubrication: chain runs through an oil sump or bath in the drive housing. In disc
lubrication, a disc picks up the oil and deposit on chain. Oil level is to be maintained in these
cases.
4. Stream lubrication: Some nozzles attached with supply of oil, are set on chain to spray the oil on
chain near sprocket engagement.
Chain Drives – Roller chains
KINEMATICS OF CHAIN DRIVE
The chain is wrapped round the sprocket as shown in Figure(d). The chain in motion is shown in
figure below. It may be observed that the position of axial line changes between the two position as shown
by the dotted line and full line. The dotted line meets at point B when extended with the line of centers.
The firm line meets the line of centers at point A when extended. The speed of the driving sprocket say
‘1’ shall be constant but the velocity of chain will vary between 1  O1C and 1  O1D. Therefore,
The variation in the chain speed causes the variation in the angular speed of the driven sprocket. The
angular speed of the driven sprocket will vary between
This variation can be reduced by increasing number of teeth on the sprocket.
Velocity Ratio
V.R. = N1/N2 = T2/T1
Where:
N1 = speed of the smaller sprocket
N2 = speed of the larger sprocket
T1 = teeth of the smaller sprocket
T2 = teeth of the larger sprocket
Factor of Safety
FS = WB/W
Where:
WB = Breaking load
W = Total load
Power Transmitted by Chain

BASIS OF BREAKING LOAD
P = WBv / FSKs
Where:
WB = Breaking load
v = velocity of the chain
FS = factor of safety
Ks = service factor
BASIS OF BEARING STRESS

P = σbAv / Ks
Where:
σb = Allowable bearing stress
A = Area
Roller chains ‐ Recommendations

o T1 ≥ 17, T2 ≤ 120
T1, T2 = No. of teeth on small and large sprocket
o Velocity Ratio (V.R.) = N1/N2 ≤ 7
o 30 pitches ≤ center distance (C) ≤ 50 pitches
o Pitch (p) should be even
𝑇1 + 𝑇2 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 2 1
o Chain Length (L) = 2C + 2
+( 2𝜋
) ∙ 𝐶
Roller chains – problem solving steps
2. Compute the velocity ratio.

3. Select the chain pitch, and rpm of smaller sprocket.
Power Rating of Simple Roller Chain
Rated Horsepower Capacity of a Single Strand Single-Pitch Roller Chain for a 17-
Tooth Sprocket
4. Number of teeth of small sprocket.

Number of Teeth on the Smaller Sprocket
5. Pitch of the chain

Characteristic of Roller Chain According to IS: 2403 - 1991
6. Compute number of teeth of larger sprocket

T2 = T1 ∙ V.R. (check in catalogue)
7. Compute the actual expected output speed
N2 = N1 (T1/T2)
8. Compute the pitch diameters of the sprockets.
𝑝 𝑝
D1 = 180 D2 = 180
sin( ) sin( )
𝑇1 𝑇2
9. Compute the length of the chain (L).

10. Corrected center distance.
11. Compute the angle of wrap of the chain for each sprocket.
4. Select the chain pitch, and rpm of smaller sprocket.
Power Rating of Simple Roller Chain
5. Number of teeth on sprockets.

No. of Teeth on Smaller Sprocket
6. Pitch
Characteristic of Roller Chain According to IS: 2403 - 1991
7. T2= T1 x V.R. = 23 x 3.83 = 88.09 ≈ 89

8. N2= N1 x (T1/T2) = 900(23/89) = 232.58 rpm Range given 230‐240 – OK
𝑝 19.05
9. D1 = 180 = 180 = 139.902 mm
sin( ) sin( )
𝑇1 23
𝑝 19.05
D2 = 180 = 180 = 539.790 mm
sin( ) sin( )
𝑇2 89
10. Length of the chain
L = 138.757 pitch = 140 pitches (even recommended)

L = 140 (19.05) = 2667 mm
Corrected center distance
C = 40.64 pitches
C = 40.64 (19.05) = 774.248 mm
11. Angle of wrap

Chain Drives

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What are the different types of chains discussed?

What are the different types of chains discussed?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of chain drives?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of chain drives?

Chain Drives

Advantages of chain drive:

Disadvantages of Chain Drives

b. Roller less Chains

Chain Drives ‐ Nomenclature

c. Power Transmitting Chains

KINEMATICS OF CHAIN DRIVE

Power Transmitted by Chain

BASIS OF BEARING STRESS

Roller chains ‐ Recommendations

2. Compute the velocity ratio.

4. Number of teeth of small sprocket.

5. Pitch of the chain

6. Compute number of teeth of larger sprocket

9. Compute the length of the chain (L).

Power Rating of Simple Roller Chain

5. Number of teeth on sprockets.

7. T2= T1 x V.R. = 23 x 3.83 = 88.09 ≈ 89

10. Length of the chain

L = 138.757 pitch = 140 pitches (even recommended)

Corrected center distance

11. Angle of wrap

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