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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the factors that limit the maximum power rating of V-belt drives, particularly in high power and torque applications. Participants explore various aspects including material limitations, frictional slip, and design considerations, as well as the use of toothed belts and alternative belt types.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that frictional slip and belt material are primary factors limiting power ratings, while others argue that pulley diameter, belt construction, and design also play significant roles.
  • A participant notes that toothed belts can eliminate slippage but introduce other limitations such as rapid acceleration and deceleration, which can lead to wear.
  • There is mention of the differences between fractional horsepower belts and those used in high power applications, indicating that no single factor can be identified as the limiting one.
  • Participants discuss the existence of various belt types beyond V and toothed designs, including flat belts, round belts, and Poly V belts, which are also used in high power applications.
  • Some participants reference engineering guides from manufacturers like Gates to understand the limitations and capabilities of different belt types.
  • Questions arise regarding the harshest conditions under which belts are used, with snowmobiles being mentioned as a potential example of high power applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that multiple factors contribute to the limitations of belt power ratings, but there is no consensus on which factor is the most significant. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the primary limiting factor.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of consulting manufacturer catalogs for specific power ratings and capabilities of various belt types, indicating that limitations may depend on specific applications and designs.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in mechanical engineering, power transmission systems, or those involved in designing or selecting belt drives for high power applications may find this discussion relevant.

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)?
 
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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.
 
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Yaksha said:
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.
 
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JRMichler said:
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 said:
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.
 
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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 .
 
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Yaksha said:
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.
 
Nidum said:



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...

JRMichler said:
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 :)
 

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