Pulleys, Sprockets & Gears

Pulleys, Sprockets & Gears

Pulleys, sprockets and gears are mechanisms
used to transfer energy through rotary motion.
These components can be used to:

 change the speed of rotation

 change the direction of rotation
 change the amount of torque available to do work

Following is a comparison of the components

and the equations used to calculate speed and
torque.
Applications

Sprockets
Pulleys
 Pulleys & Sprockets

Pulley Sprocket
Method of
Transmitting Belt Chain
Force
Quiet, no lubrication No slip, greater
Advantages
needed, inexpensive strength
Higher cost,
Disadvantages Can slip needs lubrication,
noisy
 Pulleys & Sprockets
Speed Ratio = Input Rate
Output Rate
Driven (out)
Angular velocity uses the symbol 
and has units of revolutions
per minute (rpm). D out
 In /  out = D out / D in
Torque in = D in
D in Driver (in)
Torque out D out
 Gears
A gear train is another mechanism for transmitting
rotary motion and torque. Gears transmit rotary
motion through interlocking teeth. A gear train is
made when two or more gears are meshed.
Applications
 Gears
N = number of teeth

Driver (in)
Driven (out)

Driver (in) Driven (out)

Idler Gear
 Gear Ratio = Input Rate
Output Rate

Angular velocity in * N in = Angular Velocity out * N out

 in * N in =  out * N out
Gear Ratio =  in = N out
 out N in
or
Gear Ratio =  in = D out
 out D in

and
Torque in = D in = N in
Torque out D out N out
 Example: Find gear ratio and find the input torque
required so that the output torque is 100 ft-lb.
Driven
Driver

24T
36T
GR = N out / N in = 36/ 24 = 1.5
T in = T out * N in / N out = 100 * 24 / 36 = 66.7 ft-lb
Example: Find gear ratio and find the input torque
required so that the output torque is 100 ft-lb.
Driven
Driver

A B
C
12T
24T
36T
GR = N B / N A * N C/ N B= N C / N A = 36/ 24 = 1.5
T in = T out * N in / N out = 100 * 24 / 36 = 66.7 ft-lb
Gear Ratio is unchanged by the idler gear.
 Compound Gear Trains
60T 60T
Driven
Driver
C
A D

15T B

15T

GR = N B / N A * N D/ N C= 60/ 15 * 60/15 = 16