Chapter III:

Flexible Connectors
Flexible Connectors
Flexible Connectors link that change their
form when in motion and are applicable only
for transmitting pull.

Examples of Flexible Connectors

1. Belts
2. Ropes
3. Roller Chains
A. Belts
Belt is a flexible band used to connect pulleys
or to convey materials by transmitting
motion and power.

Uses of Belts
1. Power transmission
2. Conveyor service
3. Elevator service
A. Belts
 Belts made of leather, rubber, or woven
fabrics are flat and thin, and run on pulleys
nearly cylindrical with smooth surfaces.
 Flat belts are used to connect shafts as
much as 30 ft apart.
 V-belts are used on grooved pulleys and are
usually used for connecting shafts of less
than 15 ft apart.
 Speed ratios up to 7:1 and belt speed up to
5,000 fpm may be used.
A. Belts
Types of Belt Connection
1. Open Belt

2. Crossed Belt
A. Belts
Types of Transmission Belts
1. Flat Belt 2. V-Belt

3. Toothed Belt
 Formulas
1. Speed Ratio
N D1
=
N1 D
2. Angle of Contact
a. 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑡
𝐷1 − 𝐷
𝜃 = 180° ± 2𝑠𝑖𝑛−1
2𝑐
b. Crossed Belt
−1
𝐷1 + 𝐷
𝜃 = 180° ± 2𝑠𝑖𝑛
2𝑐
Where: θ = angle of contact (degrees)
D= larger diameter (mm/in)
D1 = smaller diameter(mm/in)
c = center distance
 Formulas
3. Arc of Contact
a. 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑡
𝑆1 = 𝑅1𝜃1 − 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦
𝑆2 = 𝑅2𝜃2 − 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦
b. Crossed Belt
𝑆1 = 𝑅1𝜃1 − 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦
𝑆2 = 𝑅2𝜃2 − 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦

Where: θ = angle of contact for small puley (radian)

𝜃1 =angle of contact for large puley (radian)
R= radius of small pulley (mm/in)
R1 = radius of large pulley (mm/in)
θ = arc of contact for small puley (radian)
𝜃1 =arc of contact for large puley (radian)
 Formulas
4. Belt length
a. 𝑂𝑝𝑒𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑡
𝜋 𝐷−𝐷1 2
𝐿 = 2 𝐷+𝐷1 +2𝑐+
4𝑐
b. Crossed Belt
𝐷+𝐷1 2
𝐿 = 𝜋2 𝐷+𝐷1 +2𝑐+
4𝑐

Where: L = Length of belt (mm/in)

D= larger diameter (mm/in)
D1 = smaller diameter(mm/in)
c = center distance (mm/in)
 Formulas

5. Belt speed if PERCENT SLIP is given:

𝑉 = 𝜋 𝐷 𝑁 (1 − % 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑝)

𝑉 = 𝜋 𝐷1𝑁1(1 − % 𝑠𝑙𝑖𝑝)

Where: L = Length of belt (mm/in)

D= larger diameter (mm/in)
D1 = smaller diameter(mm/in)
c = center distance (mm/in)
B. Roller Chains (Power Chains)
Chains are frequently used as connectors
between parallel axes and also for conveying
and hoisting machinery and for similar
purposes.
B. Roller Chains (Power Chains)
 Chains are composed of metallic links
jointed together.
 Chains are used to connect shafts of less
than 15 ft apart.
 Roller and silent chains may operate at
speed up to 2,500 fpm.
B. Roller Chains (Power Chains)
Classification:

1. Hoist 𝐶𝑜𝑖𝑙, 𝑆𝑡𝑢𝑑 − 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑘

𝐵𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘, 𝑑𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
2. Conveyer 𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑘 − 𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡,
𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 − 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑒
3. Power-transmission 𝑅𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟, 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 − 𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑡ℎ
B. Roller Chains (Power Chains)
 Formulas
1. Velocity of chain
𝑛𝑝𝑁
𝑉 = 𝜋𝐷𝑁 =
12

2. Max. and Min. chain speed

Max. chain speed=sec 360°
= 𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑥
Min. chain speed 2𝑛 𝑚𝑖𝑛

3. Pitch diameter
D= 180
𝑝
𝑠𝑖𝑛
𝑛
Where: n = no. of teeth of sprocket
D= pitch diameter of sprocket, ft
N = rpm of sprocket
V = Chain velocity, fpm
p = pitch of sprocket/chain, in.
 Formulas
5. Outside diameter
180
𝐷𝑜 = 𝑝 0.60 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡 𝑛

6. Chain length
𝑛1−𝑛 2
L = 2c + 𝑛+𝑛
2
1+
40𝑐

7. Center distance between sprockets

c = 𝑝8 2𝑝 − 𝑁1 − 𝑁 + (2𝐿 − 𝑁1 − 𝑁)2−0.810(𝑁1 − 𝑁)2

Where: n = no. of teeth of sprocket

𝐷𝑜 = outside diameter of sprocket, mm or in.
c = center distance, mm or in.
p = pitch of sprocket/chain, mm or in.
L = Length of chain
𝑁1 = no. of teeth of large sprocket
𝑁= no. of teeth of small sprocket
C. Wire Ropes
Wire ropes are made from cold-drawn wires
that are first wrapped into strand; the strands
are then wrapped into helices about a core or
central element.
C. Wire Ropes
Wire ropes construction
C. Wire Ropes

Wire ropes uses

1. Elevators 5. Mine hoist

2. Cranes 6. Oil-well drilling
3. Areal conveyors 7. Tram ways
4. Haulage devices 8. Suspension
C. Wire Ropes
 Ropes are made of manila, hemp, cotton, or
wire are nearly circular in section and run
on either grooved pulleys or drums with
flanges.
 Ropes may be used to connect shafts of up
to 100 ft apart.
 Ropes should operate at speed of less than
600 fpm.
C. Wire Ropes
Materials for Wire
ropes

1. Plow steel (PS) 5. Cast steel

2. Mild plow steel 6. Alloy steel
(MPS) 7. Stainless steel
3. Improved plow 8. Copper
steel (IPS) 9. Bronze
4. Wrought iron
C. Wire Ropes
Various sizes and their application

6x7 – haulage, tramways, guy wires

6 x 19 - general purpose rope, hoist, cranes,
drilling, elevators
6 x 37 - high speed elevators, cranes, hoist
8 x 19 - extra flexible hoisting rope application

NOTE: The fist number is the number of strands and the second number is the number of
wire per strand.
SEATWORK
1. FIND THE PULLEY DIAMETERS THAT MUST BE USED
ON MOTORS TURNING AT THE FOLLOWING
REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE IF THE BELT SPEEDS ARE
TO BE 3200 FPM: (A) 3600 RPM; (B) 1750 RPM; (C)
900 RPM; AND (D) 600 RPM.

2. A 1-IN PITCH ROLLER CHAIN IS USED WITH A 17-

TOOTH SPROCKET ROTATING AT 300 RPM TO DRIVE A
SPROCKET AT 100 RPM. DETERMINE THE NUMBER
OF TEETH ON THE DRIVEN SPROCKET, THE PITCH
DIAMETER OF EACH SPROCKET, AND THE LENGTH OF
THE CHAIN IN PITCHES IF THE CENTER DISTANCE IS
36.