Belt (mechanical)
A loop of flexible material linking rotating shafts for power transmission.
Last updated
A mechanical belt drive transmits power between rotating shafts using a flexible loop running over pulleys.[1] A quilling machine for winding silk onto bobbins, described in 15 BC by Han Dynasty philosopher Yang Xiong, provides the earliest known reference to a mechanical belt drive.[1] Rubber or synthetic polymers are the materials most commonly used for belt drives today.[2]
Quick Facts
- First mentioned
- 15 BC
- First mentioned by
- Yang Xiong (Han Dynasty)
- Field
- Mechanical power transmission
- Typical efficiency
- 90–98% (usually 95%)
- Working temperature range
- −35 to 85 °C (−31 to 185 °F)
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
The Han Dynasty philosopher Yang Xiong described a belt-driven quilling machine in 15 BC.[1] Belt drives were applied to hydraulic-powered bellows by the 1st century AD.[1] During the Rhodesian Bush War, leather belt drives were placed on vehicle floors to protect against land mines.[3] Leather or fabric were the traditional materials for flat belts.[3]
Leather belt drives were used in early flour mills located in Ukraine.[3] The shortage of shoe leather in Ukraine after World War I caused people to repurpose belt drives into footwear.[3] Charles C. Gates of the Gates Rubber Company created the first endless rubber V-belt in 1917.[4]
What the cited sources add
A 2009 Farm Collector article describes how old-timers laced flat belts with leather thonging.[5] A hollow punch was used for holes in leather belts, but an awl was preferred for canvas or rubber.[5] The Gates Corporation states that John Gates invented the V-belt about six years after Charles started in business.[6] The same source reports that the first synchronous belt was developed in 1946.[6]
The Robert Bosch "Auto Handbook" notes that a polygroove belt can run over pulleys on its ungrooved back.[7][8] For leather belts, holes must be placed no closer than 1/2 inch from the belt edge.[5]
References
- Wikipedia, "Belt (mechanical)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Needham, Science and Civilization in China (1988), Volume 5, Part 9, 207–208.; Needham, Science and Civilization in China (1986), Volume 4, Part 2, 108.; Needham, Science and Civilization in China (1988), Volume 5, Part 9, 160–163.; Needham, Science and Civilization in China (1986), Volume 4, Part 2, 108. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Belt (mechanical)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Boblenz, "How to lace a flat belt", Farm Collector, 30 November 2009; "Belt lacing patterns", North Dakota Statue Univ.; "Flat Belt Pulleys, Belting, Splicing", Hit N Miss Enterprises (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Belt (mechanical)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Neufeld, Dietrich, A Russian Dance of Death: Revolution and Civil War in the Ukraine, Winnipeg, Canada: Hyperion Press, 1980, p. 61. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Belt (mechanical)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Radiator fans and their design", Horseless Age, 1916-04-15, p. 324; "S.A.E. divisions exhibit activity", Horseless Age, 1916-04-15, p. 322; "Company Overview", Gates Corporation (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Boblenz, "How to lace a flat belt", Farm Collector, 30 November 2009. facts only, no text reused. farmcollector.com
- "Company Overview", Gates Corporation. facts only, no text reused. gates.com
- Wikipedia, "Belt (mechanical)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Automotive Handbook", Robert Bosch GmbH, 1993, p. 304 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Open Library record, ISBN 0837603307 ("Auto Handbook"). CC0 (metadata); book content not read. openlibrary.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Belt (mechanical) (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Belt (mechanical) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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