Issue: 1M 09

How To Select The Right Coupling

In the market we know there are various types of coupling available such as Old Ham Coupling, Jaw Coupling, Pin & Bush, Gear in Mesh, Spring Grid, Chain, Metallic Disc, Tyre in Shear, Fluid Coupling etc Each of these types has inherent advantages over the other, for example [ie. it may be simplicity, robust, zero backlash or torsion ally soft to absorb shock loads. It is dangerous to select a coupling on the basis of cost alone. The wrong selection of coupling can result in premature failure of the coupling at the minimum & damage to other equipment in the drive train at worst. Its a common problem, however, since there are many stories of disaster that can be attributed to premature coupling & equipment failure. This failure will typically be seen as premature failure of bearings, gears or even stress fractures of shafts, leading to expensive repairs & costly downtime.

Simplicity:
For simplicity & cost, the Jaw Coupling has found universal acceptance both in industry & in agriculture for a wide variety of applications. It is well suited for application between electric motors & driven machinery where shock loading is light to moderate. It is readily available in the market for powers up to 75Kw, although versions are available to handle 700Kw at 100rpm. Recommended: Curve Jaw Elastomer Coupling (Robust in elastomer Coupling Torsionally Soft / High Misalignment Compared to Straight Jaw) /

Torisionally Soft:
In order to overcome problems of misalignment and to absorb shock loads and Vibration thus reducing transfer to driver & driven machinery, Tyre in Shear, Pin & Bush & Taper Spring Grid Coupling offer an ideal solution. They can be used at high & low speed where moderate to heavy shock loads are expected. Taper Spring Grid Coupling is compact and has power rating from 0.5Kw to 8900 Kw at 100rpm. The Taper Spring Grid uses grease lubricated

Issue: 1M 09

high tensile Steel Spring Grid that flexes between the tow hubs external Taper Teeths. Correctly selected & using the manufacturers recommended special grease, significantly extended lubrication intervals can be obtained. Couplings also have a substantially longer driving element fatigue life. This all adds up to lower cost in long run. Recommended: Tyre In Shear (Highly Torsinally Soft / High Misalignment accommodation Compared to any other coupling), Taper Spring Grid (Semi Robust in Metallic Coupling / Torsinally Soft / High Misalignment accommodation Compared to Straight Teeth).

Vibration:
Where there is vibration shock or impulse loading from petrol or diesel engines, Tyre in Shear Couplings or torsionally soft Couplings with rubber elements are well suited. These are torsinally soft flexible Couplings with a high angular misalignment capability of 2 to 3 degree and moderate parallel misalignment capablity.The elements are maintenance free for their working life but their performance deteriorates at temperature over 100 degree Celsius. Recommended: HRC Flywheel Coupling (Robust in elastomer Coupling / Torsinally Soft / High Misalignment Compared to Straight Jaw). Tyre In Shear with Flywheel (Highly Torsinally Soft / High Misalignment accommodation Compared to any other coupling).

High Torque:
Where high Torque has been transmitted at slow or high speeds, and misalignment and shock loading is not a problem, then Triple Crowned Gear in Mesh, Taper Spring Grid or Chain Couplings are best for strength & compactness. All of these couplings required grease lubrication and are supplied with sealed covers to retain the grease. Triple Crowned Gear in Mesh & Chain Couplings is torsionally less rigid, as are Metallic Laminated Disc Couplings which is torsionally rigid.

Issue: 1M 09

Recommended: Triple Crowned Gear in Mesh Coupling (Robust in Metallic Coupling / Torsinally Rigid / High Misalignment due to Triple Crowning Straight Teeth/High & Low Speed with better MOC).

Backlash Free:
Old Ham Coupling, Bolt on Flange, Bellow Coupling, Spiral Coupling, and Metallic Laminated Disc Coupling - these however are recommended for high speed and Fraction & High Torque application. They are Backlash & lubrication free. Recommended: Metallic Laminated Disc Coupling (Torsinally Rigid / High Torque & Speed) Bellow Coupling, Spiral Coupling (Fractional Horse Power/Torsinally Rigid/ Composites High Misalignment)

Soft Start:
The Fluid Coupling & Free Shoe Centrifugal Clutch Coupling is used in a drive system where there are high inertial loads, where a smooth gradual start is required or overload protection is required. The fluid coupling has the added advantage if giving the electric motor a low load start, thus reducing starting current & hence electricity charges. This is particularly important on large electric motors where peak power demand must be controlled. Once running, a Fluid Coupling gives highly efficient energy transfer, up to 97% to 98% due to improper fluid fill, MOC of Seals & Inner Chamber etc.They give long service life, as there is no mechanical contact between the transmission chambers. Only bearings & Seals have to be replaced periodically. Were as in Free Shoe Centrifugal Clutch Coupling their are free Shoes with friction liner are placed between the metallic Spider Wings & on rotation due to the centrifugal force the Shoes with friction liner rotate the machine gradually. Recommended: The Fluid Coupling (In the Category of Soft Start Fluid Coupling is the highly efficient products),

Issue: 1M 09

Free Shoe Centrifugal Clutch Coupling (Totally Mechanically & Highly economical In the Category of Soft Start).

Failures:
Spectacular failures are common in industry due to the incorrect selection of couplings. The larger the Coupling the greater the potential for significant costly damage, broken shaft, stripped gears & disintegrated bearings are all signs that the coupling has not been given the attention it required Recommended: To contact reputed Designer Company in Coupling or else send in your enquiry on the said email id to serve you jmrmpt@rediffmail.com
================================================================================= ENGINEERING JOURNAL NEWS LETTER The Independent Product Information Guide for Product Design and Automation Engineers