Chain length

The angle of contact, Θ can be computed as:

𝒑(𝑵𝟐 − 𝑵𝟏 )𝟐
𝜣𝟏 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎° − 𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏−𝟏 { }
𝟐𝑪

𝒑(𝑵𝟐 − 𝑵𝟏 )𝟐
𝜣𝟐 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎° + 𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏−𝟏 { }
𝟐𝑪

The center distance, C, should be in this range:

30p < C < 50p

The chain length, L, can be expressed in inches, or in number of links or pitches. Because chain is
comprised of interconnected inks, we can express the chain length as an integral multiple of the chain
pitch.

It is preferable to have an odd number of teeth on the driving sprocket and an even number of
pitches in the chain.

For length of chain in inches:

𝝅 (𝒅𝟐 − 𝒅𝟏 )𝟐
𝑳= (𝒅𝟐 + 𝒅𝟏 ) + 𝟐𝑪 +
𝟐 𝟒𝑪
For length of chain expressed in number of links or pitches:

𝝅 (𝒅𝒑𝟐 − 𝒅𝒑𝟏 )𝟐
𝑳= (𝒅𝒑𝟐 + 𝒅𝒑𝟏 ) + 𝟐𝑪𝒑 +
𝟐 𝟒𝑪𝒑

𝟐𝑪 (𝑵𝟐 + 𝑵𝟏 ) 𝒑(𝑵𝟐 − 𝑵𝟏 )𝟐
𝑳= + +{ }
𝒑 𝟐 𝟒𝝅𝟐 𝑪

For a given chain length, the actual center distance can be computed as:

𝒑 (𝑵𝟐 + 𝑵𝟏 ) 𝑵𝟐 − 𝑵𝟏 𝟐 𝟖(𝑵𝟐 − 𝑵𝟏 )𝟐
𝑪 = [𝑳 − √
+ {𝑳 − } − ]
𝟒 𝟐 𝟐 𝟒𝝅𝟐

CHAIN DRIVE KINEMATICS

Using the same derivations as for gear and belt drives, the velocity ratio consists of:

𝝎𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝝎𝟏 𝒅𝟐 𝑵𝟐
𝑽𝑹 = = = =
𝝎𝒅𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝝎𝟐 𝒅𝟏 𝑵𝟏

* In many industrial applications, the chains’ purpose is to reduce the speed of the power source.
Therefore, it is typical to have VR greater than 1.

The chain speed, vc,, has a magnitude that corresponds to the magnitude of the linear velocity of a point
on the pitch diameter of each sprocket.

As with belt speed, chain speed can be computed as:

𝒅𝟏 𝒅𝟐
𝒗𝒄 = 𝝎𝟏 = 𝝎
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐

Recommended lubrication methods based on chain speed:

• Low speed ( vc < 650 fpm ) : manual lubrication, where the oil is periodically applied to the links
of the chain.

• Moderate speed ( 650 < vc <1500 fpm ) : bath lubrication, where the lowest part of the chain
dips into a bath of oil.

• High speed (vc > 1500 fpm ) : oil stream lubrication, where a pump delivers a continuous stream
onto the chain.