Speculating:

I don't think I've ever seen a 'mule drive' done with roller chain.
It's damn hard on v-belts, so I wouldn't expect long life.

However, I think I've seen drawings of roller chain with twisted links, so the chain could flex in two planes.  Never seen it in real life, but ISTR some of Berg's variants on cable chain having the right symmetry to do it, as of course does common 'bead chain'.

 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

What aspect of the diff are you trying to emulate - equal output torque on each shaft, or the 90 degree drive, or both?

Cheers

Greg Locock


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It looks like this one achieves/allows wheel rpm differences
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91QMBe-0i3g

I have a simple response ... "so what".

Sure, it's conceptually possible ... but so what?

Looks like the overall size and diameter of the mechanism will be considerably greater than for a traditional geared differential.

Greg  - mostly relative rpm (+/-10%)control for the output shafts
        - 90 degree drive not necessary

Thanks Tmoose - for posting a video site that works for type 2
             -- there also is a type 1 diff. video somewhere.

Standard differentials that handle 100-200 hp are pretty heavy - these differentials because of the large diameter gears might be lighter and if operated in a clear environment would not need much cooling oil because of the large exposed  to ambient surface.

Comments please.