Question 2.6 Coupling End Float Can you advise me where I can find a detailed discussion on the subject of end float of shafts of motors that have sleeve bearings and are directly coupled to centrifugal pumps? Are there similar limitations regarding end float of a shaft when the pump is coupled to a ball bearing motor? Answer. Horizontal sleeve bearing electric motors are not generally equipped with thrust bearings but are merely provided with babbitted faces or shoulders on the line bearings. The motor rotor is allowed to float, and although it will seek the magnetic center, a rather small force can cause it to move off this center, This movement may, in some cases, be sufficient to cause the shaft col- lar to contact the bearing shoulders, causing heat and bearing difficulties. This is particularly true of large electric motors of 200 hp and higher. Since all horizontal centrifugal pumps are equipped with thrust bear- ings, it has become the practice to use limited end float couplings between pumps and motors in this size range. These couplings keep the motor rotor within a restricted location. The motors are built so that the total clearance between shaft colars and bearing shoulders is not less than 1/2 in. In turn, the flexible couplings are arranged to restrict the end float of the motor rotor to less than 3/16 in, The restriction against closing the gap is pro- vided by one of the following method: Chapter 2 201 1. For gear-type or grid-type couplings: by locating a “bution”” at the end of the pump shaft or by between the two shaft ends (see Fig. 2.6). 2. For the flexible-disk type, such as the Thomas coupling (Fig. 2.7): by the stiffness of the flexible disks themselves, which have in- herent float-restricting character The displacement characteristics of a coupling of this type (for a 4 in, shaft diameter) are shown in Fig. 2.8. Contact between the hubs and the coupling covers prevents excessive movement in the opposite direction for gear-type or grid-type couplings. The stiffness of the flexible disks is the restraining force in both directions in the case of the Thomas couplings. ‘The problem does not arise in the case of ball bearing electric motors, and therefore they do not require the use of limited end float couplings.woron suarr {Toya ewo stay sas oF BUTTON Pump. Moron! SHAFT SHAFT COUPLING SLEEVES PZZZIN WN SS, WHE: ft aZA——I) ‘MOTOR BEARING FACE rota eno evar Figure 2.6 Arrangement for limiting motor end float. ‘Figure 2.7 Restriction against closing the clearance gap is provided by the stiffness Of the flexible disks.