High efficiency saw chain
A high efficiency saw chain for a saw including a cutting link and a drive link, the cutting link and a drive link selected to provide a high efficiency saw chain for a specified power range, based on ratios of components of the chain, such as the ratio of the height of the cutter to the pitch of the chain.
1. A saw chain comprising:
a cutting link, comprising:
a forward cutting link rivet hole;
a rearward cutting link rivet hole;
an upper cutting edge disposed at a first height relative to a line colinear with lowermost sections of the cutting link and parallel with a line bisecting the forward cutting link rivet hole and the rearward cutting link rivet hole;
a depth gauge opposing the cutting edge, the depth gauge having an upper surface disposed at a second height generally at or below the first height;
a gullet formed between the cutting edge and the depth gauge; and
a drive link, comprising
a forward drive link rivet hole; and
a rearward drive link rivet hole, the drive link coupled to the cutting link via a rivet engaging the forward cutting link rivet hole and the rearward drive link rivet hole, a chain pitch defined as half a distance between a center of the forward drive link rivet hole and a center of the rearward cutting link rivet hole, wherein a ratio between the first height and the chain pitch is selected to provide a saw chain for a specified power range, wherein the ratio between the first height and the chain pitch is between about 1.22 and about 1.28.
2. The saw chain of claim 1 , wherein the first height is between about 0.400 and about 0.412 inches.
3. The saw chain of claim 1 , wherein the chain pitch is between about 0.315 and about 0.335 inches.
4. The saw chain of claim 1 , wherein the specified power range is 1 to 3 horsepower.
5. The saw chain of claim 1 , wherein the upper cutting edge is disposed at a third height relative to the line bisecting the forward cutting link rivet hole and the rearward cutting link rivet hole, wherein a ratio between the third height and the chain pitch is between about 0.86 and about 0.92.
6. The saw chain of claim 5 , wherein the third height is between about 0.285 and about 0.295 inches.
7. The saw chain of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first height and the second height is selected to provide a saw chain, wherein the ratio between the first height and the second height is between about 1.05 and about 1.10.
8. A system, comprising the saw chain of claim 1 and a drive sprocket configured to drive the saw chain.
9. The system of claim 8 , further comprising a guide bar configured to guide the saw chain.
10. A powered saw, comprising the saw chain of claim 1 .
11. The powered saw of claim 10 , further comprising a drive sprocket configured to drive the saw chain.
12. The powered saw of claim 10 , further comprising a guide bar configured to guide the saw chain.