SPROCKET

AND
CHAIN DRIVE
 Introduction
A chain drive basically consists of an endless
chain whose links engage the teeth of
sprocket keyed to the shaft of the driving and
driven mechanism.
This kind of drive is used to transmit power
and to synchronize motion or maintain a
fixed-speed ratio between rotating shafts.
In the Philippines, chai nand sprocket drives
are commonly used in the construction of
transmission boxes for power and puddling-
type floating tillers.
 Some Applications of
Sprocket and Chain Drive
 Characteristics
Shaft distances are unrestricted, i.e. the drive
is well suited for long and short-center
distances.
It do not creep or slip. They maintain a
positive speed ratio between the driver and
the driven shafts
They are more physically more compact than
belt drive
They require more accurate alignment of the
shaft and the sprockets.
Arc of contact is smaller for chains than for
belts.
They are more practical for low speed.
 Types of Chain
Detachable Chain
Pintle Chain
z They are used for
slightly higher speed
(up to about 450 fpm)
and heavier loads
z They are made of
individual cast ling
having full round barrel
end with offset
sidebars.
Engineering Steel
Chain
Inverted-Tooth or
Silent Chain
z They are high speed
chains used
predominantly for prime
mover power take-off
drive
Bead or Slider Chain
z They are used for
manually controlled or
slow-speed drives
Roller Chain
z This is the most important
type for agricultural use. It is
available either single- or
multiple-strand type.
z Roller chain composed of
roller, links, and pin links,
alternately spaced throughout
the length of the chain. The
roller link consists of two sets
of rollers and bushing, and
two link plates, and the pin
links consists of two pins and
two link plates.
 Sprockets
Types
z A - plain plate

z B - with hub on one side only

z C - with hub on both sides

z D - detachable hub
Materials
z Cast iron – for large
sprockets
z Steel - small sprockets

z Stainless steel or bronze –

for corrosion resistant
application
z Formica, nylon, and
special purpose plastic –
for special condition
Selection of Chain and
Sprockets
Smallest applicable chain number is suitable
for high speed and quite operation.
Power capacity varies with chain pitch.
Short pitch with high working load can be
obtained by the use of multiple strand chain.
Smallest sprocket selected must be large
enough to accommodate the shaft.
 Roller Chain and
Sprocket Drive
Large
Sprocket
Chain

Small
Sprocket
 Useful Terms
Chain Pitch – It is the distance between
adjacent joint members.
Pitch Diameter - It is the diameter of the pitch
circle that passes through the centers of the
link pins as the chain wrapped on the
sprocket.
Chain and Sprocket Size
z The size of chain and sprocket drive is designated as RC
Number. The higher the chain number, the larger is the
loading capacity of the drive.
z Bicycle chain usually used RC 10 while RC 40 to 60 are
commonly used for power tiller transmission box
 Formula
Sprocket Speed

Nr Tr= Nn Tn

where:
Nr - speed of driver sprocket, rpm
Tr - number of teeth of driver sprocket, dmls
Nn - speed of driven sprocket, rpm
Tr - number of teeth of driven sprocket, dmls
Speed Ratio

R = Nr/Nn

where:
R - Speed ratio, dmls
Nr - speed of driver sprocket, rpm
Nn - speed of driven sprocket, rpm
Chain Velocity

V = [ p x T x N] / 376

where:
V - chain velocity, m/s
p - chain pitch, in.
N - sprocket speed, rpm
T - number of teeth of sprocket, dmls
Length of Chain

L = 2 C + [(Tl – Ts)/2] + [(Tl-Ts)/ 4 π2 C]

where:
L - length of chain, pitches
C - center distance between shafts, pitches
Tl - number of teeth of large sprocket, dmls
Ts - number of teeth of small sprocket, dmls
A chain and sprocket drive is Driven
Mixer
designed to drive a Sprocket
horizontal mixer at a speed
of 100 rpm. The power
source from a smaller
sprocket has a speed of 400
rpm. What is the size of the
smaller sprocket needed if Driver Sprocket
the large sprocket has a teeth
of 45 T. Also compute for Given:
the speed ratio of the drive
and the length of chain if the Nr-100 rpm; Nn-400 rpm; Tn –
center distance between shaft 45; C – 48 in. ; chain pitch –
is 48 inches. Assume a chain 0.5 in.
pitch of 0.5 in. per pitch. Required:
Tr, R, L
Solution:
Nr Tr = NnTn
Tr = 100 rpm ( 45 T) / 400 rpm
= 11 T
R = Nr/Nn
= 400 rpm/100 rpm
=4
L = 2C + (Tn-Tr)/2 + (Tn-Tr)/ 4 π C
= 2 (48 in)pitch/0.5 in. + (45T-11T) + (45T-
11T)/4 π 48 in. x pitch/0.5 in.
= 192 + 17 + 34/3789.93
= 209 pitches or 104.5 inches
Sprocket Pitch Diameter

PD = P / [ sin (180/T)]

where:
PD - pitch diameter of sprocket, in
P - chain pitch, in.
T - number of sprocket teeth, dmls
Chain Forces

CF = 1000 P / V

where:
CF - chain full, kg
P - chain power, kW
V - chain velocity, m/s
A chain and sprocket drive as
shown below is used to drive a
feeding mechanism of a rotary
dryer. The driver sprocket has 11T
and running at a speed of 100 rpm.
It transmit power of 1 hp to a
driven sprocket with 33T. What is
the velocity of the chain and the
chain pull in the drive system?
Assume a chain pitch of 0.5 in for
the drive.

Given: Tr – 11T; Nr- 100 rpm; Tn- 33T; Hp – 1 hp;

Pitch-0.5 in.
Required: Chain velocity and Chain Pull
Solution:
V = P T N / 376
= 0.5 in x 11 x 100 rpm / 376
= 1.462 m/s
CF = 1000 P / V
= 1000 (1hp x 0.746 kW/hp) / 1.462 m/s
= 510.26 kg
Chain Force for Single Strand Chain

Fs = 0.023 p2 (5100 – 115 V 0.41) [ 1 + 25 ( 1-cos 180/T)]

where:
Fs - force rating for single strand chain, lb
p - chain pitch, in
V - chain velocity, fpm
T - number of sprocket teeth, dmls
Horsepower Capacity at Lower Speed

HP = 0.004 Ts 1.08 Ns 0.9 p 3.0 – 0.007 p

where:
HP - power capacity, hp
Ts - number of teeth in the smaller sprocket, dmls
Ns - speed of the smaller sprocket, rpm
p - chain pitch, in.
Horsepower Capacity at Higher Speed

HP = [1700 Ts 1.5 p 0.8 ] / Ns 1.5

where:
HP - power capacity, hp
Ts - number of teeth in the smaller sprocket, dmls
Ns - speed of the smaller sprocket, rpm
p - chain pitch, in.
Power Rating

Design Power = Power to be transmitted x service factor /

Multiple strand factor

Power Rating
Required

Power Rating Required = Design Power x Design Life /

15,000
 Chain Drive Design
Determine service factor.
Compute for the design power by multiplying
the name plate power rating with the service
factor.
Select appropriate size of chain using the
chain selection chart for the computed design
power and the speed of the small sprocket.
Select appropriate size of small sprocket for
the chosen size of chain.
Compute number of teeth for the larger
sprocket for the given sprockets speed.
Determine chain length in pitches
 Service Factor

Type of ICE with Electric ICE with

Driven Hydraulic Motor Mechanical
Load Drive Drive
Smooth 1.0 1.0 1.20
Moderate 1.2 1.3 1.4
Heavy 1.4 1.5 1.7
Shock
Factors Causing Chain
Tension
Pull required for power transmission.
Centrifugal force generated as the chain
travels around the sprockets and over
the curved path between sprockets.
Catenary effect caused by the weight of
the chain between sprockets.
Chordal action.
Factors Affecting Rate
of Chain Elongation
Chain tension.
Projected bearing area.
Smoothness and hardness of the contacting
surfaces.
Frequency and type of lubrication.
Frequency and degree of articulation in the
chain joints.
Dust, dirt, and other abrasive or corrosive
materials
Recommended Chain
and Sprocket Drive
Installation
 Lubrication
Manual Lubrication – Oil is supplied
periodically with brush or spout can once
every 8 hours of operation.
Drip Lubrication – Oil drops are directed
between the link plate edges from a drip
lubricator.
Bath or Disc Lubrication – The lower strand
of chain runs through a sump of oil in the drive
housing
Oil Stream Lubrication – The lubricant is
usually supplied by a circulating pump
capable of supplying each chain drive with a
continuous stream of oil.
 References
AMTEC. Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standards.
Volume 1. Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation
Center. UPLB, Laguna.
Krutz, G. Thompson, L. and P. Claar. 1984. Design of
Agricultural machinery. John Wiley and sons. New
York. 472pp.
Levenson, I. J. 1978. Machine Design. Reston
Publishing Company, Inc. Rreston. 512pp.
Penton/IPC. Machine Design. Mechanical Drives. Vol.
55 No. 15. Penton Press, 1111 Chester Avenue,
Cleveland, Ohio 44114. June 30, 1983. 240pp.
Spotts, M. F. 1984. Design of Machine elements.
Second Edition. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs,
New Jersey. 504pp.