Optimizing belt and wheel systems

A method of optimizing a belt system having a toothed belt and a toothed wheel, the method comprising:

• determining a pitch of the toothed belt;
• determining a desired pitch of the toothed wheel, the difference between the pitch of the toothed belt and the desired pitch of the toothed wheel defining a desired fit between the toothed belt and the toothed wheel;
• and
• modifying an outer diameter of the toothed wheel to obtain the desired fit between the toothed belt and the toothed wheel;
• wherein modifying the outer diameter of the toothed wheel comprises increasing the outer diameter of the toothed wheel by applying a coating to the toothed wheel having a thickness of at least 10 micrometers.

A method of optimizing a belt system having a toothed belt and a toothed wheel, the method comprising:

• determining a pitch of the toothed belt;
• determining a desired pitch of the toothed wheel, the difference between the pitch of the toothed belt and the desired pitch of the toothed wheel defining a desired fit between the toothed belt and the toothed wheel;
• and
• modifying an outer diameter of the toothed wheel to obtain the desired fit between the toothed belt and the toothed wheel;
• wherein the determining the desired pitch of the toothed wheel comprises:
• using computational or experimental means to determine the pitch of the toothed wheel that minimizes maximum tooth loads on any tooth of the toothed belt in mesh on the toothed wheel and minimizes or eliminates negative tooth loads on any tooth of the toothed belt in mesh on the toothed wheel.