Catalog D220

Many components such as clutches, brakes, couplings, drive belts, etc. are used in applications
where starting, stopping or reversing of a load is involved. Factors and formulas needed to
establish the power requirements are given here.
Kinetic Energy of Relation
Starting from basic equation

E = mV² .........ft lb (1)

2

where
m is mass = W in slugs i.e. lb/sec²
W = weight in lbs.
G ft
G = gravitational acceleration in ft/sec²
V is velocity in ft
(G = 32.2 ft/sec² = 386 in/sec²)
sec

If we assume that the entire mass is concentrated at the radius of gyration k then we can
substitute

V = 2kπN .... ft where N is in RPM; k is in feet

60 sec

Substituting values for V and G in the basic equation we obtain

E = Wk² . N² = Wk²N² ..............ft lb (2)

G 182.5 5878
Inertia
In simple terms, Inertia is the property of a body at rest to stay at rest, or in motion to remain in
motion.

Expression = Wk² =IG is known as mass moment of Inertia and is given in ft. lb. sec².
G

Often, expression Wk² = I in lb. ft² is used as "moment of inertia in weight units”. It is
proportional to IG and its proportionality factor G = 32.2 is often lumped with other constants.

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 Catalog D220

Table below tabulates the values of Wk² for commonly used cross sections.

Table compiled based on References 1 and 2.

Nomographs on subsequent pages facilitate conversion of different units of inertia. A table shows
actual inertia values for discs of different diameters.
Equivalent Inertia
Must be considered when inertia has to be reflected to a shaft which rotates at a different speed.

Torque
If a body of inertia IG is accelerated at a constant angular acceleration θ radians/sec² the
necessary constant torque is
T = IG · θ.......... lb.ft (3)

If the acceleration speeds up the load ∆ N RPM within t seconds then the angular acceleration can
be expressed as:

where ∆ω is the change of angular velocity in radians/sec.

Substitution into (3) yields

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 Catalog D220

Work and Power

Work is the product of the magnitude of a force and the distance moved in the direction of the
force Power is the time rate at which the work is performed Unit of power is

Since torque T = P· r. The following table can be constructed. (Note that 1 HP = 745.7 watts.)

The functional relationships between power, torque and speed can be illustratively expressed in
graphs or nomograms as shown on the following pages.
REFERENCES:
1. "The Significance of WK² and How to Calculate it", Product Engineering June 27, 1960 page
39.
2. ASME Handbook, Engineering Tables, McGraw Hill Co., 1956.
3. Calculating Mass Moments of Inertia" Product Engineering, Jan. 1956 p. 215

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