Mechanical power transmission
• Mechanical power transmission is the process of transferring
mechanical energy, or physical motion, from one part of a machine to
another. It's a necessary component of most machines, including
automobiles, water pumps, electric shavers, and turbines. Mechanical
power transmission systems use mechanical elements to transfer
rotational power from a source, like an engine or electric motor, to an
output component. These elements include:
• shafts, gears, chains, sprockets, belts, pulleys, couplings, and
bearings.
Power transmission
• The term mechanical power transmission denotes the process of
harnessing and directing power from a source, such as an engine or
motor, to an output device via mechanical components, rather than
electrical methods. This method provides for control over the speed,
torque, and directionality of the conveyed force
A belt drive is a frictional drive that transmits power
BELT DRIVES
between two or more shafts using pulleys and an elastic
belt. In most cases, it is powered by friction but it may also be
a positive drive. It can operate at wide ranges of speed and
power requirements. It is also highly efficient.
A belt drive is a mechanical power transmission
method that utilises a flexible belt and pulley to
transmit power from one shaft to another. This
power transmission method is widely used in
various applications owing to its versatility,
efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Unlike gears and chain drives, belt drives can
accommodate some level of misalignment.
However, excessive misalignment may lead to
complications like belt tracking issues, noise,
uneven belt wear, etc. Also, it is a cost-effective
option for installation and maintenance
compared to gear and chain drives.
Types of Belt Drives
• Open belt drive
• Closed or crossed belt drive
• Fast and loose cone pulley
• Stepped cone pulley
• Jockey pulley drive
Open belt drive
• Here driven shaft will rotate in same direction as the driver shaft. Moreover, wrap angle is always
below 180°, thus power transmission capacity is also low. On the other hand
Cross belt drive
the belt proceeds from the top of one pulley to the bottom of another pulley and thus crosses itself.
Here driven shaft rotates in opposite direction to the driver shaft. Wrap angle also increases, which
results in higher power transmission capacity.
Fast and loose cone pulley.
A fast and loose pulley drive is used when the driven or machine shaft is to be started or
stopped without interfering with the driving shaft
Stepped cone pulley
A step cone pulley is a type of pulley that consists of a cone-shaped
structure with multiple steps or grooves on its surface. Each step or
groove has a different diameter, allowing for the adjustment of speed and
torque in machinery and mechanical systems.
Jockey pulley drive
A jockey pulley is an idle pulley used in an
open belt drive
to increase the angle of contact between the belt
and the pulleys. By doing so, it enhances the powe
r transmission capacity of the drive. The jockey pul
ley is mounted near the smaller pulley and is place
d on the slack side of the belt
Advantages of Belt
Drives
• The installation of belt drives is quite easy. Apart from that it can easily be removed.
• Cost associated with the implementation or installation of belt drives is quite low.
• The simplistic construction of belt drives makes it quite suitable than other kinds.
• The maintenance cost associated with this is also quite low.
• In belt drives the need of lubricant is negligible, you don’t have to use any kind of lubricant in
these.
• It can drive power in any condition whether it is inclined, horizontal or vertical.
• The power consumption factor makes it suitable and provides an edge over other methods.
Disadvantages of Belt Drives
•If you are using belt drives for power transmission, then there is more chance of power less due
to slippage. Once in a while creep also happens which is quite a backdrop.
•It cannot be used for short distances.
•While using these you have to be ready for a preferred speed as it cannot go beyond a specific
speed.
•The life of these belts are low.
•The chances of accidents due to breaking is more.
•These belt drives work below a specific temperature. If it exceeds then the chances of breakage
or wearing up are more.
•The angular velocity doesn’t remain constant throughout the process.
• Applications of Belt Drives
• The belt drives are used basically for transferring power. Where belts are
not used, if you see it’s used in many areas. It has effective usage in the mill
industry as conveyors are the most popular usage of these kinds of belts.
