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pulley Definition

pul·ley (po̵ol′ē)

noun pl. -·leys

  1. a small fixed wheel, sometimes turning in a block, with a grooved rim in which a rope or chain runs, as to raise a weight attached at one end by pulling on the other end: it changes the direction of effort but provides no mechanical advantage
  2. a combination of such wheels, used to increase the mechanical advantage
  3. a wheel that turns or is turned by a belt, rope, chain, etc., so as to transmit power

Etymology: ME poley < OFr polie < ML poleia < poledia < MGr *polidion, dim. of polos, pivot, windlass, axis: see wheel

pulley Synonyms

pulley

n.

sheave, block, lift, lifter, crowbar, crow, pry; see also tool 1.

pulley Usage Examples

Preposition: on

shaft: Note the balanced cast-iron pulley on the motor shaft - a pleasing touch.

Converse of object

  • attach: Having attached the pulleys, the cables were threaded through from the rails on the prompt side wall.
  • gear: Activities from Inventor's Workshop link directly to the teaching of wheels and axles, gears, pulleys and cams.

Adjective modifier

  • 3-step: The 3-step pulley together with its attached " sun " gear was free to rotate on the headstock spindle.
  • 4-step: The drivetrain uses a 4-step pulley to give different blade speeds.
  • two-step: The Bergeon electric motor ( with a two-step pulley ) was cradled in a cast-iron holder and available with both single and three-phase motors.
  • crank: Once set, make an easier to see mark on the rear timing cover above the crank pulley aligned with the scribed timing mark.
  • adjustable: An adjustable pulley is fitted to allow small variations for on-site balancing.
  • rear: The main drive pulley was 4.25 " in diameter and the rear idler pulleys, running on ball bearings, 3.5 " .

Modifies a noun

  • wheel: The pulley wheels attach to pulley stiles - the upright sides of the frame which hide the weights.
  • bolt: You can easily verify which you have by simply looking at the pulley bolt head.
  • rig: Again it is advisable to use rotten bottom pulley rigs here to minimize tackle losses.
  • shaft: The countershaft pulley shaft was fitted with self-aligning ball bearings and provision was made to allow individual adjustment of each belt run.
  • block: Block Rope Used with a pulley block to increase the power of a horse pulling a boat out of a lock.

Noun used with modifier

  • headstock: The three rings of indexing holes in the headstock pulley were engaged by a pointer mounted on a swinging bracket.
  • crankshaft: Above the crankshaft pulley, the oil pump sprouts from the block, a necessity to keep the overhead valve gear from seizing up.
  • idler: This wire is passed over any number of small idler pulleys to the surface being cut.
  • countershaft: This employed an unusual but effective trick: the motor pulley was a V but the large countershaft pulley was flat.
  • tensioner: Once the tensioner has been removed, check the tensioner pulley.
  • alternator: There have been no recorded instances of the alternator pulley seizing on vehicles in the UK.