A timing belt is a high-performance belt that interlocks with grooves in the drive pulley, preventing slippage even at high engine speeds. It is durable, reliable, and can run at higher speeds with less tension. The timing belt is used in automobiles, aircraft, and marine vessels. Its sound is coveted in the world of hot rods and performance cars.
A timing belt is a high performance belt used in applications where slippage or failure must be prevented. Made of rubber with teeth or bumps running the length of the inside, the timing belt is designed to interlock with grooves or notches in the drive pulley. This interlocking design allows the timing belt to run without slippage even at high engine speeds. Like a chain and sprocket, the timing belt can turn engine accessories without the fear of failure or slippage of traditional rubber V-belts, or fan belts as they are commonly known.
A byproduct of using a timing belt drive system has become a coveted sound in the world of hot rods and performance cars. The telltale hiss emitted by a timing belt-driven fan induction system on an engine is created from air trapped between the belt and the fan pulley. Some enthusiasts choose to drill small holes in the drive pulleys on these systems to let air escape and quiet hissing. Alternatively, others choose to run an even wider drive belt system in hopes of trapping more air and increasing the volume of hiss.
The timing belt drive system has two types of teeth. The most traditional style of tine uses a rounded tine or belted tine. This does a good job of driving the gear system, but they are sometimes prone to jumping off the pulley and slipping under duress. The best drive systems use a flat, square gear that sits closer to the pulley and is more resistant to slippage. This is often known as a Gilmer drive system. Many timing belts in automobile engines use this type of belt.
The main advantage of the timing belt is that it can run at higher engine speeds and pull a larger load with less tension exerted against it. By operating at a lighter tension, the belt runs cooler and has a much longer life than a severely tightened belt. The belt can be operated without additional cooling provisions, such as an oil bath, and is much more durable than a chain and sprockets.
Durability, reliability and light weight combine to make a timing belt drive system practical in automobiles, aircraft and marine vessels. Both heavy duty uses such as assembly line and common use applications depend on the belt drive system to function properly for a long time.
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