Why
Pin Bush couplings are the simplest type of
couplings, developed during the early years
of industrialization as simple devices to
connect two rotating shafts. A typical pin bush
coupling comprises of two cast iron flanged
hubs, where torque is transmitted from one
half of the coupling to the other, through bolts
or pins, over which cylindrical rubber bushings
provide for flexibility and also accommodate
small misalignments between the connected
shafts.
A closer look at this simple coupling will
unearth, a plethora of complex problems it
usually generates resulting into severe
damages to the connected machinery, rotating
parts, bearings, seals, shafts, resulting into
millions of rupees going down the drain
through equipment downtimes and costly
repairs.
The most common failure of a pin bush
coupling initiates from the failure of the rubber
bushings due to excessive bearing pressure
caused with torque transmission along with
shaft misalignments. The average thickness
of the hollow rubber bush in a pin bush
coupling is between 6mm to 7.5mm for pin
diameters up to 25mm and approximately
9mm for larger pin diameters. A bearing
pressure above 0.035 N/mm2 will result in the
failure of the rubber bush. As against this, a
solid Drive Pad in a jaw coupling is designed
to take at least ten times higher load. The
rectangular portion of the drive insert gives a
large contact area, as compared to the very
small contact area of a bush in the pin bush
coupling.
In addition, the pins in a Pin Bush couplings
are subjected to shear stresses. The shear
stress due to torque transmission is generated
in terms of the tangential force at the outside
diameter of the rubber bush. With continuous
torque transmission, the bush wears out,
generating a huge backlash and seriously
damages the coupling holes, which tend to
yield in the direction of rotation, making it
oblong. The coupling soon loses its accuracy
and operates as a rigid connection, further
damaging until it needs a complete
replacement.
Further, the bearing pressure that acts as
distributed load on the rubber bush produces
bending of the pin. Combination of shear and
bending stress may cause the pin to be
damaged if not adequately designed.
The NENFLEX drive inserts on the other hand
are designed with a special profile that permit
partial contact between the driver and the
driven jaws at no load and 100% bearing
contact at nominal torque. As a result there is
less abrasion, that prevents hysteresis failure
of the elastic material. Even after a partial
wear of the elastic drive inserts, the coupling
can transmit torque safely without causing any drive elements. This offers two major
problem. The integral jaws of the couplings advantages. Firstly, the drive elements receive
are safe even when the drive pads are worn air circulation while the coupling is operating.
out to almost one third of its original thickness. This keeps the element cool and increases
The damping effect of a drive pad in a the service life. The design permits visual
NENFLEX jaw coupling provides for a smooth inspection of the drive elements even with the
vibration free torque transmission. Drive steel collar is in place, as one third of the drive
inserts are manufactured with differing element is always uncovered. This permits
stiffness characteristics, which help eliminate easy inspection that allows maintenance
resonance in a drive train. personnel to monitor the condition of the drive
In case of wear of the bushes in a pin bush elements, to avoid any metal to metal contact
coupling, there is a huge downtime, as the and damage to the coupling.
coupling needs to be completely dismantled, Over a million NENFLEX couplings have been
pins removed, and bushes replaced. In case sold, many on critical applications. More than
of a NENFLEX coupling, the drive pads can 2000 design options in standard and custom
be replaced in a jiffy, within less than 10 built versions can solve every application
minutes, by simply removing 3 screws to requirement.
axially displace the steel collar, which allows Lastly, unlike a pin bush coupling which
inserts to be replaced on line without opening comprises of several pins, bushes, washers,
the coupling. Thus there is zero down time, nuts and lose components, the jaw coupling
and also the original alignment of the drive hubs are completely integral and precision
train is not disturbed. machined from a single piece of casting. The
The NENFLEX drive inserts are available in coupling will therefore retain its rugged
several combinations. The standard drive structure throughout its service life. If the
inserts are manufactured from high quality alignments are controlled and the drive
synthetic rubber. Alternately, the drive inserts elements are monitored regularly, the coupling
are also available in high performance should ideally last the complete service life of
polyurethane in differing stiffness the equipment, as there is no metal to metal
characteristics identified by colors yellow, red, contact to cause wear and tear.
blue and green. A trade-off between flexibility
and torque capacity is possible by selecting
the right grade of inserts depending upon the
application. The torque rating of the coupling
can be almost doubled by using the stiffer
inserts (blue and green) especially for slow
speed drives. For high speed drives, the softer
yellow element with higher misalignment
capability is preferred. A pin bush coupling
cannot allow all these possibilities. www.nenco.org
The NENFLEX coupling is designed with an
external steel collar that partially covers the

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consent of NENCO, India.