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Chain Drives (ME110)

A chain drive consists of an endless chain around two sprockets, providing a slip-free operation and maintaining a constant speed ratio, making it highly efficient for various industries. Chains are classified into hoisting, conveyor, and power transmission types, each with specific designs and applications. Key factors for selecting a chain drive include loading, speed, distance, service environment, and lubrication requirements.

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18 views13 pages

Chain Drives (ME110)

A chain drive consists of an endless chain around two sprockets, providing a slip-free operation and maintaining a constant speed ratio, making it highly efficient for various industries. Chains are classified into hoisting, conveyor, and power transmission types, each with specific designs and applications. Key factors for selecting a chain drive include loading, speed, distance, service environment, and lubrication requirements.

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to6771827
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Chain Drive - Introduction

 A Chain Drive consists of an endless chain wrapped around two sprockets. A chain can be defined as a series of links
connected by pin joints or hinged joint. The sprocket are toothed wheels with a special profile for teeth.
 They eliminate the slipping problem observed in belt drives.
 Maintains a constant speed ratio.
 Having no slippage also ensures high mechanical efficiency.
 Used in various industries like transportation, agriculture, and oil rigs.

Driver Sprocket Driven Sprocket


Classification of Chains
 Hoisting Chains

 Conveyor Chains

 Power Transmission Chains


Hoisting Chains
 A chain hoist is a mechanism that exerts a force for lifting or lowering an object by
utilizing a drum or lift wheel around which rope or chain wraps.

1. Chain with oval Links:


 The links of this chain type are uniquely oval-shaped, distinguishing them from
traditional chain links. Each link is securely joined through welding, ensuring a robust
structure.

2. Chain with stud Links:


 Chains designed with studs across their inner width.
 These studs add weight, keep the chain from fouling and help prevent
deformation.
Conveyor Chains
 Tailor-made for conveyor systems, these chains are designed to efficiently
transport materials, serving as a crucial application within the realm of
chain drives.
 These chains do not have smooth running qualities.
 The conveyor chains run at slow speeds of about 0.8 to 3 m/s.
 The conveyor chains are usually made of malleable cast iron.
 Conveyor chain drives find use in industries such as packaging,
automotive, food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

Power Transmission Chains


 These chains are used for transmission of power, when the distance between the centers of shafts is short.
 These chains have provision for efficient lubrication.
 Common examples are bikes, agricultural machinery, compressors, engine camshafts, etc.
Types of links
1. Block 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.
2. Roller Chain:
It consists of a series of short cylindrical rollers held together by side links. A roller chain is made up of an inner plate
(roller link plate), outer plate (pin link plate), bushes, pins and rollers.
3. Silent chain
A silent chain can transmit large amounts of power at high speeds while maintaining a quiet operation. The chain consists
of flat plates stacked in rows and connected through one or more pins. Each link has the contour of sprocket gear teeth
on the underside where it engages with the sprocket teeth.
4. Leaf chain
• They consist only of pins and link plates. The link plates are
alternated as a pin link and an articulated link.
• Leaf chains are designed to run over sheaves for guidance.
5. Flat top chain
• An individual link is usually made out of a steel plate with barrel-
shaped hollow protrusions on its bottom side. The links are
connected to preceding and succeeding links by passing a pin.

• The nature of these joints allows movement only in one direction


and can flex sideways enable it to go around curves.

6. Engineering steel chains

These chains consist of links and pin joints. The clearance between this
chain’s components is larger than other chains as it has to handle dust,
dirt and abrasives under normal operating conditions.
Factors considered while selecting a chain drive.
 Loading

 Chain speed

 Distance between the shafts

 Service environment

 Lubrication
Definitions in Chain Drive
 VELOCITY RATIO
• It is the ratio between the speed of the driven sprocket (follower) and the speed of the driving
sprocket (driver).

Let 𝑑1 = diameter of driving sprocket


𝑑2 = diameter of driven sprocket
𝑛1 = speed of driving sprocket
𝑛2 = speed of driven sprocket

𝑛2 𝑑1 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 Driver Sprocket Driven Sprocket


= ⇒ =
𝑛1 𝑑2 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
Applications of Chain Drives

Motorcycles Bicycles

Conveyor

In the engine, chain drive is used to


operate camshaft.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Chain Drive
Advantages Disadvantages
Contrary to a belt drive, a chain drive does not slip. Precise alignment required compared to belt drives
Can be used for both long and short distances Noisy and can cause vibrations

Temperature and environmental conditions do not Frequent lubrication required.


affect their working
Can operate in wet conditions Can not be used where precise motion is required

Very high efficiency (up to 96%) Require housing


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

For slip
Problems
A flat belt is required to transmit 30 kW from a pulley of 1.5 m diameter running at 300 r.p.m. The angle of contact
is 165𝑜. The coefficient of friction between the belt and pulley surface is 0.3. Determine. taking maximum and
minimum tension in the belt.
𝛱
Solution. Given : P = 30 𝑘W, 𝑑 = 1.5 𝑚, 𝑁 = 300 𝑟. 𝑝. 𝑚. , 𝜃 = 165o = 165 × = 2 ⋅ 88 rad, 𝜇 = 0.3
180

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