What limits the max power rating of a V-Belt drive?

[Yaksha]

We know that belt drives are limited in their max possible power rating and most high power/torque applications(trucks) use gear drives.

I wanted to know the main factor that limits the power/torque rating of belts.

Is it Frictional slip or Belt material?

If the frictional slip could be eliminated somehow(assume), are the materials used for belts currently, capable of handling high torques and power applications?

Is the material limitation the reason for the introduction of steel belts(where friction is still present)?

 

[JRMichler]

All of the above, plus pulley diameter, belt construction, and belt design. There are many differences between a fractional horsepower belt, such as that used in a home shop drill press, and a high power belt in a snowmobile transmission. There is no one single factor.

 

[Asymptotic]

I wanted to know the main factor that limits the power/torque rating of belts.
Is it Frictional slip or Belt material?

Take a look at engineering guides available from Gates, and other manufacturers that concern themselves with belted power transmission.

A toothed belt eliminates slippage as a consideration, but adds rapid accel/decel as a limiting factor (belt teeth tear off where a V belt just slips). Temperature rise is a factor in many belt limitations.

 

[Yaksha]

All of the above, plus pulley diameter, belt construction, and belt design. There are many differences between a fractional horsepower belt, such as that used in a home shop drill press, and a high power belt in a snowmobile transmission. There is no one single factor.

Take a look at engineering guides available from Gates, and other manufacturers that concern themselves with belted power transmission.

A toothed belt eliminates slippage as a consideration, but adds rapid accel/decel as a limiting factor (belt teeth tear off where a V belt just slips). Temperature rise is a factor in many belt limitations.

Thank you for both of your valuable inputs! I'm in a attempt to use toothed belts to eliminate slippage in a CVT design. So was investigating problems that would happen if a belt drive is used in the design. Your information about snowmobile and toothed belt wear, helped me understand better! :)May I know the harshest high power rating conditions where are belts are used? Snowmobiles are the ultimate? It might help me know the max power rating of existing belts of any type.

 

[Nidum]

Belt drives carrying high powers are still in common use in industry . Usual arrangement is to have several V belts running in parallel on multi groove pulleys .

Belts types are not limited to simple V and toothed designs . There are flat belts , round belts and Poly V belts as well .

 

[JRMichler]

May I know the harshest high power rating conditions where are belts are used? Snowmobiles are the ultimate? It might help me know the max power rating of existing belts of any type.

For that, you need to spend some time reading manufacturer's catalogs. There are several belt types that can drive over 1000 hp.

Habasit is a well known manufacturer of flat belts: http://www.habasit.com/en/ptb-belt-design.htm.

Gates is the leading manufacturer of high performance toothed belts: https://www.gates.com/resources/resource-library/product-catalogs. Look at the Gates PowerGrip and PolyChain.

 

[Yaksha]

Belt drives carrying high powers are still in common use in industry . Usual arrangement is to have several V belts running in parallel on multi groove pulleys .

Belts types are not limited to simple V and toothed designs . There are flat belts , round belts and Poly V belts as well .

Thank you! Marvellous beast at work! Nice to know the conditions at which belts are used...

For that, you need to spend some time reading manufacturer's catalogs. There are several belt types that can drive over 1000 hp.

Habasit is a well known manufacturer of flat belts: http://www.habasit.com/en/ptb-belt-design.htm.

Gates is the leading manufacturer of high performance toothed belts: https://www.gates.com/resources/resource-library/product-catalogs. Look at the Gates PowerGrip and PolyChain.

I was going through GATES as suggested above. Thanks for helping to point links where I can properly start as I have little experience in this :)