POLYMER PRODUCT

DESIGN

FLEXIBLE
COUPLING
By:

Navami Soman K., Bijosh C. K.,

M.Tech. 2nd semester

 Table of
Contents
OUR DISCUSSION POINTS
 Short introduction
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

 Materials used to make

 Requirements of flexible couplings

 Case study

 Types of flexible couplings: Designing

 Application specifics

 References
 Short introduction
Coupling:
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

 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, 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.

 In a more general context, a coupling can also be a mechanical device

that serves to connect the ends of adjacent parts or objects.

 
 Flexible coupling:
 Flexible couplings are usually used to transmit torque from one shaft to another when
the two shafts are slightly misaligned.
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

 They can accommodate varying degrees of misalignment up to 1.5° and some parallel
misalignment.

 In addition, they can also be used for vibration damping or noise reduction.

 In rotating shaft applications a flexible coupling can protect the driving and driven shaft
components (such as bearings) from the harmful effects of conditions such as;

Misaligned shafts

Vibration

Shock loads and

Thermal expansion of the shafts or other components.

 4 way flexing action

TORSIONAL
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

ANGULAR

PARALLEL

AXIAL
 Materials used to
make
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

METALS PLASTIC ELASTOMERS

S

Alloys of PVC and its Silicone

different blends Neoprene
metals Chloroprene etc.
 Requirements of flexible
coupling
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

Easy to connect or
disconnect the coupling.

Does allow some To maximise power

misalignment between the transmission and to
two adjacent shaft rotation maximise machine runtime.
axes.
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N
COUPLINGS
Case study: DURA-FLEX®
 Features
 Designed from the ground up using finite element analysis to maximize flex life.
0
2  Easy two piece element installation. No need to move the hubs during replacement.
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

0
2
|  One spacer size to handle most different between shaft spacings.
1
.
V
e
d  Light weight element absorbs shock loading and torsional vibration.
i
u
G  Same hubs used on both spacer and standard elements.
d
n
a
r  No lubrication.
B
H
B  Good chemical resistance.
B
 SURE-FLEX® ELASTOMERIC
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N
COUPLINGS

0
2
0
2
|  Need No Lubrication, No Maintenance
1
.
V
e  Quick, Easy Installation
d
i
u  Clean, Quiet Performance
G
d
n
a
r
B
H
B
B
 Types of flexible couplings and their designin
a) Bushed pin type coupling

• Modification of the rigid type of flange

coupling.
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

0
2
0 • Coupling bolts are known as pins. The rubber
2
| or leather bushes are used over the pins.
1
.
V • Two halves of the coupling are dissimilar in
e
d construction.
i
u
G • Clearance of 5 mm is left between the face
d
n of the two halves of the coupling.
a
r
B
H • Proportions are same as the rigid type flange
B
B coupling

• Bearing pressure on the rubber or leather

bushes and it should not exceed 0.5 N/mm2
 Design considerations

P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

Bearing stress
dc
Rubber bushings are available for different bolt circle
inside diameter
and out side
diameters. t2 flange thickness over the bush contact
Mostly bearing
Suitable available in thickness
pressure for rubber area
between 6 mmN/mm
is 0.035 to 7.5mm
2 for bores upto
25mm
Number ofand
pin 9mm thickness
is given by for larger bores.
Brass sleeves are made to suit the requirements.
Brass sleeve thickness may be taken to be 1.5mm.
The outside
where diameter of rubber bushing dr is given
d is in mm. d by diameter of the bolt or pin
b
tbr thickness of the brass sleeve
tr thickness of rubber bushing
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

Shear stress
The pins in the coupling are subjected to shear
It is a good practice to ensure that the shear plane avoids the threaded
portion of the bolt
Unlike the rigid coupling the shear stress due to torque transmission is
given in terms of the tangential force F at the outside diameter of the
rubber bush.
Shear stress at the neck area
where d
is given by
is bolt diameter at the neck (at the shear
neck
plane)
 b) Universal coupling

Universal coupling, U-joint , Cardan joint ,

Spicer or Hardy Spicer joint, or Hooke's
joint
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

 A joint or coupling connecting rigid rods

whose axes are inclined to each other, and
is commonly used in shafts that
transmit rotary motion.

It consists of a pair of hinges located close

together, oriented at 90° to each other,
connected by a cross shaft.

The universal joint is not a constant-

velocity joint.
 c) Oldham coupling

 The oldham coupling is a form of flexible coupling designed for applications that must be
free from backlash.

 They are also increasingly being used as a replacement for straight jaw couplings.
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

 Consists of 3 discs ; 2 of the discs, typically made of aluminum or stainless steel, are
connected to either side of the drive, while the third, made from one of several different
plastics, is sandwiched in between with a tongue and groove design.

 The tongue and groove on one side is perpendicular to the tongue and groove on the other.

 Springs are often used to reduce the coupling’s backlash.

P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

 During operation the center disk slides on the tongues, or tenons, of each hub (which are
orientated 90° apart) to transmit torque.

 While the couplings accommodate a small amount of angular and axial misalignment, they are
especially useful in applications with parallel misalignment.

 The oldham coupling features several other advantages including their compact size and
potential for electrical isolation through the plastic center disk.

 The couplings may also act as a sort of fuse for a machine.

 If torque limits are exceeded the center disc of the coupling will break apart first, preventing
torque transmission and potential damage to more costly machine components.
 Application Specifics
Initially, flexible couplings divide into two primary groups, metallic and elastomeric. Metallic
types use loosely fitted parts that roll or slide against each other or, alternatively, non-moving
parts that bend to take up misalignment. Elastomeric types, on the other hand, gain flexibility
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

from resilient, non-moving, rubber or plastic elements transmitting torque between metallic
hubs.

Metallic types are best suited to applications that require or permit:

 Torsional stiffness, meaning very little “twist” occurs between hubs, in some
cases providing positive displacement of the driven shaft for each incremental
movement of the driving shaft

 Operation in relatively high ambient temperatures and/or presence of certain

oils or chemicals

 Electric motor drive, as metallics generally are not recommended for gas/diesel
engine drive

 Relatively constant, low-inertia loads (metallic couplings are generally not

recommended for driving reciprocal pumps, compressors, and other pulsating
machinery)
 Elastomeric types are best suited to applications that require or permit:

 Torsional softness (allows “twist” between hubs so it absorbs shock and

P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

vibration and can better tolerate engine drive and pulsating or relatively high-
inertia loads)

 Greater radial softness (allows more angular misalignment between shafts, puts
less reactionary or side load on bearings and bushings)

 Lighter weight/lower cost, in terms of torque capacity relative to maximum bore

capacity

 Quieter operation

 Thoroughly review the suggested application profile with the coupling vendor,
getting not only their recommendations, but also the reasons behind them.
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N
 References
 TECHNICAL MANNUEL of TB Wood’s Incorporated Headquarters 440
North Fifth Avenue Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201-1778

 “Coupling and Joints” , Textbook for Mechanical engineers , Jos . C.

P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

Masoclauv
P O LY M E R P R O D U C T D E S I G N

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