
Power Transmission 
429 
4. 
(a) 
Select the drive sheave size when neither the drive sheave nor the driven 
sheave are fixcd in size from Table 
3-8. 
(b) Select the driven sheave size. To find 
the larger driven sheave size, substitute the drive sheave size obtained in 
a) 
above into 
D 
= 
id. Note that 
D 
and d are pitch diameters 
of 
the sheaves. 
5. 
Find the V-belt speed using Equation 
3-16 
using pitch diameters 
of 
sheaves. 
Speed must be below 
600 
ft/min  (or 
100 
ft/s). 
6. 
Find the belt length and center distance from Equations 
3-1 
1 
-3-E4. A 
center 
distance slightly less than, or equal to, the 
sum 
of the sheave diameters is 
suggested for V-belt  applications. The V-belt  length is calculated by  using 
Equation 
3-9 
once the center distance has been estimated. This initial center 
distance does not result in 
a 
length for a stock V belt. It is then necessary  to 
adjust the center distance 
to 
obtain the closest V-belt stock length. This is a 
trial-and-error  solution. 
7. 
Kntming the speed (in rpm) of the smallest sheave and its pitch diameter, find 
the horsepower capability per V belt using the appropriate table 
for 
the V-belt 
type to be used (see Tables 
3-9-3-16). 
8. 
Find the number 
of 
V belts required using the horsepower capacity per 
V 
belt 
obtained in step 
7 
above. This is 
Design hp 
hp per belt 
Number of 
V 
belts 
= 
If 
the number ofV belts is a fraction, use next highest whole number. 
V-belt type (step 
2) 
Number 
of 
V 
belts (step 
8) 
Ilrive sheave design (steps 
4 
and 
8) 
Driven sheave design (steps 
4 
and 
8) 
Center distance and V-belt stock length (Step 
6) 
9. 
‘The highest V-belt drive can now he tabulated. This is 
Chains 
Power transmission chains provide a positive drive even when operated under very 
adverse temperatures 
(-60 
to 
600°F) 
and other environmental conditions. These power 
transmission systems are very flexible with  regards 
to 
their field applications. In 
general, chain drives are primarily selected for low-speed and medium-speed service. 
Some silent chain designs may be used in high-speed service 
[8,13]. 
There are six types of chains used for power transmission. These are roller, silent 
(inverted tooth), offset link  (Ewart with bushing), detachable (open Ewart), pintle 
(closed Ewart), and bead. 
Table 
3-8 
Minimum Recommended Sheave Sizes 
[8] 
V-belt 
section 
A 
B 
C 
D 
E 
Minimum 
pitch 
dia, 
in 
3.0 
5.4 
9.0 
13.0 
21.6 
No. 
of 
grooves 
on 
stock 
pulleys 
1-6 
1-6 
3-1 
4 
3-1 
7 
5-1 
9