Tension in a belt

[eliou]

Hi there,

I am placing a new spring loaded tension arm to replace the old one in a belt drive. This tension arm will also be in a different location than the old one. I am concerned that placing the tension arm right before a wheel with a skinny shaft might cause it to bend. Is the tension in the entire belt constant or does it vary from section to section.

Thanks for your help

 

[desertfox]

Hi eliou

Have alook at this site it may help:-

http://www.mech.uwa.edu.au/DANotes/V-belts/home.html#top

regards

desertfox

 

[handleman]

Basically, no. The tension is not the same everywhere. Otherwise nothing would turn. Rotation of the driven pulleys is caused by the torque generated by friction between the belt and pulley and the difference in tension between the sections of the belt on either side. In general, the tensioner should be placed between the last driven pulley and the drive pulley.

 

[FoMoCoMoFo]

It varies from section to section. one side of the driving pulley is tensioned by the drive, the other is "slack". this tensioner should be going on the slack side. exactly where on that section should'nt matter too much.

 

[FoMoCoMoFo]

i type too slow.

 

[eliou]

thanks for the help guys