TRANSMISSION COUPLINGS

A coupling is a device used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose
of transmitting power. Couplings do not normally allow disconnection of shafts during
operation, however there are torque limiting couplings which can slip or disconnect when
some torque limit is exceeded.
The primary purpose of couplings is to join two pieces of rotating equipment while
permitting some degree of misalignment or end movement or both. By careful selection,
installation and maintenance of couplings, substantial savings can be made in reduced
maintenance costs and downtime.
Uses
Shaft couplings are used in machinery for several purposes, the most common of which
are the following

To provide for the connection of shafts of units which are manufactured separately
such as a motor and generator and to provide for disconnection for repairs or
alterations

To provide for misalignment of the shafts or to introduce mechanical flexibility

To reduce the transmission of shock loads from one shaft to another

To introduce protection against overloads

To alter the vibration characteristics of rotating units.

Sleeve Coupling
A Sleeve coupling is a basic type of coupling. This consists of a pipe whose bore is
finished to the required tolerance based on the shaft size. Based on the usage of the
coupling a keyway is made in the bore in order to transmit the torque by means of the
key. Two threaded holes are provided in order to lock the coupling in position.
Sleeve couplings are also known as Box Couplings. In this case shaft ends are coupled
together and abutted against each other which are enveloped by muf or sleeve. A gib
head sunk keys hold the two shafts and sleeve together

Clamp or split-muff coupling

A clamp coupling is diferent from the sleeve coupling in that the sleeve used in this type
is split from one side. The shafts are entered and keyed to this sleeve and then split sides
are screwed together.

Beam Coupling
A beam coupling, also known as helical coupling, is a flexible coupling for transmitting
torque between two shafts while allowing for angular misalignment, parallel ofset and
even axial motion, of one shaft relative to the other. This design utilizes a single piece of
material and becomes flexible by removal of material along a spiral path resulting in a
curved flexible beam of helical shape. Since it is made from a single piece of material, the
Beam Style coupling does not exhibit the backlash found in some multi-piece couplings.
Changes to the lead of the helical beam provide changes to misalignment capabilities as
well as other performance characteristics such as torque capacity and torsional stifness.
It is even possible to have multiple starts within the same helix.
The material used to manufacture the beam coupling also afects its performance and
suitability for specific applications such as food, medical and aerospace. Materials are
typically aluminum alloy and stainless steel, but they can also be made in acetal and
titanium. The most common applications are attaching encoders to shafts and motion
control for robotics.

Constant velocity
There are various types of constant-velocity (CV) couplings which are Rzeppa joint,
Double Cardan Joint and Thompson coupling.
Diaphragm Coupling
Diaphragm couplings transmit torque from the outside diameter of a flexible plate to the
inside diameter, across the spool or spacer piece, and then from inside to outside
diameter. The deforming of a plate or series of plates from I.D. to O.D accomplishes the
misalignment.
Disc Coupling
Disc couplings transmit torque from a driving to a driven bolt tangentially on a common
bolt circle. Torque is transmitted between the bolts through a series of thin, stainless
steel discs assembled in a pack. Misalignment is accomplished by deforming of the
material between the bolts.
Fluid Coupling
Construction:
Fluid couplings work on the hydrodynamic principle. It consists of a pump-generally
known as impeller and a turbine generally known as rotor, both enclosed suitably in a
casing. The impeller and the rotor are bowl-shaped and have large number of radial
vanes. They face each other with an air gap. The impeller is suitably connected to the
prime mover while the rotor has a shaft bolted to it. This shaft is further connected to the
driven machine through a suitable arrangement. Oil is filled in the fluid coupling from the
filling plug provided on its body. A fusible plug is provided on the fluid coupling which
blows of and drains out oil from the coupling in case of sustained overloading.

Operating Principle:
There is no mechanical interconnection between the impeller and the rotor (i.e. the
driving and driven units) and the power is transmitted by virtue of the fluid filled in the
coupling. The impeller when rotated by the prime mover imparts velocity and energy to
the fluid, which is converted into mechanical energy in the rotor thus rotating it.
The fluid follows a closed circuit of flow from impeller to rotor through the air gap at the
outer periphery and from rotor to impeller again through the air gap at the inner
periphery. To enable the fluid to flow from impeller to rotor it is essential that there is
diference in the "head" between the two and thus it is essential that there is diference
in R.P.M., known as slip between the two. Slip is an important and inherent characteristic
of a fluid coupling resulting in several desired advantages. As the slip increases more and
more fluid can be transferred from the impeller to the rotor and more torque is
transmitted. However when the rotor is at standstill, maximum fluid is transmitted from
the coupling. The maximum torque is limiting torque. The fluid coupling also acts as a
torque limiter
Gear Coupling
A gear coupling is a mechanical device for transmitting torque between two shafts that
are not collinear. It consists of a flexible joint fixed to each shaft. The two joints are
connected by a third shaft, called the spindle.
Each joint consists of a 1:1 gear ratio internal/external gear pair. The tooth flanks and
outer diameter of the external gear are crowned to allow for angular displacement
between the two gears. Mechanically, the gears are equivalent to rotating splines with
modified profiles. They are called gears because of the relatively large size of the teeth.
Gear couplings and universal joints are used in similar applications. Gear couplings have
higher torque densities than universal joints designed to fit a given space while universal
joints induce lower vibrations. The limit on torque density in universal joints is due to the
limited cross sections of the cross and yoke. The gear teeth in a gear coupling have high
backlash to allow for angular misalignment. The excess backlash can contribute to
vibration.

Gear couplings are generally limited to angular misalignments, i.e., the angle of the
spindle relative to the axes of the connected shafts, of 4-5. Universal joints are capable
of higher misalignments.
Single joint gear couplings are also used to connect two nominally coaxial shafts. In this
application the device is called a gear-type flexible or flexible coupling. The single joint
allows for minor misalignments such as installation errors and changes in shaft alignment
due to operating conditions. These types of gear couplings are generally limited to
angular misalignments of 1/4-1/2.

Hirth Coupling
Oldham Coupling
An Oldham coupling has three discs, one coupled to the input, one coupled to the output,
and a middle disc that is joined to the first two by tongue and groove. The tongue and
groove on one side is perpendicular to the tongue and groove on the other. The middle
disc rotates around its center at the same speed as the input and output shafts. Its center
traces a circular orbit, twice per rotation, around the midpoint between input and output
shafts. Often springs are used to reduce backlash of the mechanism. An advantage to
this type of coupling, as compared to two universal joints, is its compact size.

Oldham coupler, assembled

Oldham coupler, disassembled

Rag joint
Rag joints are commonly used on automotive steering linkages and drive trains. When
used on a drive train they are sometimes known as giubos.
Universal joint
Universal joints are also known as Cardan joints.
Pin Bush Coupling

The function of a flexible coupling is to transmit torque from one shaft to another and is
particularly use full in case where limited misalignment may occur and also to absorb
shock loads.
The Pin Bush Type Flexible Coupling of the cushioned drive type transmits the torque
through high tensile steel bolts to the machine input shat. Highly developed rubber
compounds are bushes to absorb loads, torsional vibrations and slight misalignments.
Simple and compact in construction of the Coupling is capable of transmitting high
torques at maximum speeds. The flanges are manufactured with cast iron, this type of
coupling permits drive in either direction and require neither lubrication nor adjustment
after fitting. The flexible business remains unafected water, dust and atmospheric
conditions. Machines which are to be coupled by flexible couplings should first be aligned
with all possible accuracy. The capacity of the coupling will then deal with misalignments
which occur by reason of temperature variations or heavy shaft loading.

Jaw or Spider Coupling

A jaw coupling is a type of motion control (servo) coupling designed to transmit torque
(by connecting two shafts) while damping system vibrations, which protects other
components from damage. Jaw couplings are composed of three parts: two metallic hubs
and an elastomer insert called an element, but commonly referred to as a "spider". The
three parts press fit together with a jaw from each hub fitted alternately with the lobes of
the spider. The curved jaws of the hubs reduce deformation of the spider to maintain the
zero-backlash fit.
The elastomer of the spider can be made in diferent hardnesses, which allows the user
to customize the coupling so that it absorbs more or less vibration. The more damping
ability the coupling has, the less torsional strength it possesses. Jaw couplings are best
suited for applications that rely on a stop-and-go type of movement, where accuracy
needs to take place upon stopping in order to perform any number of precision tasks,
such as taking a high resolution picture (machine vision system). Absorbing vibrations
decreases the settling time the system needs, which increases through-put. The jaw

coupling is less suited for applications that rely on a constant scanning type of motion,
where accuracy is required during movement, which requires a torsionally stronger
coupling.
The drawback of the jaw coupling is the lack of misalignment capability. Too much axial
motion will cause the coupling to come apart, while too much angular or parallel
misalignment will result in bearing loads that are higher than most other servo/motion
control couplings. Jaw couplings are also considered fail-safe. If the spider fails, the jaws
of the two hubs will mate, much like teeth on two gears, and continue to transmit torque.
This may or may not be desirable to the user depending on the application.
Jaw couplings are well balanced and able to tolerate high RPM. With its damping
capability and interchangeable spiders, jaw couplings make a great solution for shock
absorption.

Tyre Coupling