COUPLINGS

CH 2
 COUPLINGS
• COUPLINGS WERE A TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN REPLACING
LONG SHAFTS WITH A COUPLE OF SHORT SHAFTS. THE INTRODUCTION
OF USING SHORTER SHAFTS INSTEAD OF LONG SHAFTS LED TO
ADVANTAGES IN INDUSTRY.
• THE ADVANTAGES OF USING SHORT SHAFTS JOINED BY COUPLINGS
INSTEAD OF LONG SHAFTS ARE AS FOLLOWS: (EXAMS)
i. EASIER TO HANDLE SHORT SHAFTS THAN LONG SHAFTS
ii. EASIER TO TRANSPORT SHORT SHAFTS THAN LONG SHAFTS
iii. MAINTENANCE IS EASIER ON SHORT SHAFTS THAN ON LONG SHAFTS
iv. CHEAPER TO MANUFACTURE SHORT SHAFTS THAN LONG SHAFTS
v. MANPOWER IS REDUCED DURING MAINTENANCE
vi. SHORT SHAFTS DO NOT BEND AS MUCH AS LONG SHAFTS.
 1. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COUPLING AND A SHAFT: (EXAMS)
• SOME MACHINES ARE CONNECTED TO THEIR POWER SOURCE BY MEANS OF A
CLUTCH OR COUPLING. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COUPLING AND A CLUTCH: (EXAMS)
COUPLING CLUTCH
o A permanent assembly/connection o An assembly / connection which
between a drive source and a driven couples the drive source to a driven
source. source.
o A coupling cannot be engaged or o A clutch engaged and/or disengaged
disengaged by the operator. by the operator.
Clutch is used to obtained temporary
Coupling is used to obtained permanent connection between drive and driven
connection between drive and driven shaft shaft.
 2. CLASSIFICATION OF COUPLINGS: (exams)
SELF-
FLEXIBLE PERMANENT/FIXED
ALIGNING
Used where accurate Occurs when Used where accurate
alignment cannot be the shaft centre alignment of the connecting
guaranteed. lines are at an shafts can be guaranteed;
angle to each however this is difficult to
other. achieve.
 Nylon sleeve  Hooke/Universal  Flange
 Pin and rubber bush  CV joint  Marine
 Raffard  Metal disk  Chain
 Spider  Gear
 Rubber belt/Tyre  Fluid
 Resilient (Bibby)
 When setting up a coupling on an engineering system, there are basically
three important types of alignment errors we need to be aware of. (EXAMS)
AXIAL MISALIGNMENT RADIAL MISALIGNMENT ANGULAR MISALIGNMENT

An error in the plane of An error in the plane of Occurs when the shaft
the axis of the shaft. the shaft radius. centre lines are at an angle
to each other.
3. TYPES OF COUPLINGS: (exams)
Flange coupling  Made of cast iron or mild steel and bored to size.
 They are shrunken or pressed onto the shaft and the key
Flange
gets fitted.
Hub
Key
 Spigot and recess are machined to ensure perfect
Drivenalignment.
Shaft
Driving  Recess are provided on the flanges so that the heads
Shaft
and nuts of the bolts do not project, thus preventing
accidents happening if worker’s clothing is caught.
Marine coupling  Similar to flange couplings, except that the flange is
not fitted to the coupling, but forged in one piece.
 The flanges are bolted together by conical bolts.

Raffard  These are link-type couplings which allow both axial and
couplings lateral flexibility.
 Leather or rubber bands are usually employed for coupling
each pair of pins together.
 Raffard coupling also insulates the motor electrically from the
engine or machine.
  Hooke’s couplings connect shafts whose axes are at an angle
Universal
other than 1800.
(Hooke’s)
 The angle between the shafts may be varied while the shafts
couplings
are in motion.

ADVANTAGES OF THE UNIVERSAL COUPLING. (exams)

 Low manufacturing cost.
 Rugged construction.
 A long, life.
 Operates best at low speed.
  Has two chain pinions encircled by a double-strand chain which provides
Chain
a means of easy and quick disconnection of shafts.
coupling
 The coupling is protected by oil-tight plastic or aluminium covers.
  In this coupling, a sleeve is keyed to each shaft, each sleeve
having gear teeth cut on a raised outer rim.
Gear coupling  The two sleeves are coupled together by to half couplings,
each having internal gear teeth which mesh with the teeth on
the sleeves.
  In this coupling washers are placed in enlarged holes.
 These washers are either rubber or leather.
 When the coupling fits together, the washers stop any
shocks and vibrations that may occur.
 These washers have the following advantages:
Pin and rubber bush
• Absorbs shock and vibrations
• Acts as an insulator of electric current flowing from the
motor to the machine
• Allows for misalignment
• Allows for expansion in the two shafts
  A torsionally elastic coupling that offers versatility to
Rubber belt (Tyre) designers and engineers with a choice of flange
combinations to suit most applications.
  Transmit the torque through an oil resistant rubber spider
assembled between two metal half-bodies.
 Functions of the Spider-shaped rubber:
i. Reduces vibrations.
Spider
ii. Allows for slight misalignment.
iii. Transmits torque.
iv. Absorbs minor shocks.
v. Serves as an insulator between electric motor and pump.
  This coupling provides a highly reliable connection for
Metal disc rotating equipment. This coupling requires no
lubrication and is maintenance free.

Advantages:
 Optimal power and misalignment capabilities
 High torque carrying capacity with low misalignment capability
 Maximum misalignment capabilities.
  In the fluid drive coupling, the friction clutch is
replaced with a flywheel.
Fluid drive  With this type of clutch, when the engine speed rises
above 600 rpm, the fluid circulated through the cells
enables one rotor to drive the other.

Turbine Pump

Input Output
shaft shaft
  There are two grooved discs on this type of coupling,
one on each shaft.
 The two discs are connected by a grid spring.
Resilient (Bibby)
 The grooves are cut in the outside of the discs, and
when the spring is placed in them, it forms a flexible
and resilient bridge.
1. Explain the difference between a coupling and a clutch.
2. Couplings are divided into three groups. Name the three groups and give
an example of each group.
3. Name FIVE different types of flexible coupling.
4. Name FIVE different types of Rigid couplings.
5. Give TWO reasons why it is necessary to ensure the correct alignment of a
fixed coupling.
6. What is the function of a universal joint?
7. Give FOUR examples of a flexible coupling.
8. In which class (group) does the fluid coupling fall?
9. Give FIVE advantages of using short shafts joined by couplings instead of
long shafts.
10. Explain the function of a coupling.
12. Under which classification does the Raffard coupling fall.

13. When setting up a coupling on an engineering system, what are the THREE
important types of alignment errors you need to be aware of?

14. A fluid coupling is also known as a hydraulic clutch. Write only TRUE or
FALSE.

15. Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Choose the
answer and write only ‘true’ or ‘false’ next to the question number.

i. A coupling is a device which can be engaged and disengaged at will by the

operator of the machine.
ii. Couplings transmit rotary movements from the short shaft of the electric
motor to the shaft of the machine.
iii. A flexible coupling makes an allowance for an alignment error.
iv. A chain coupling is a flexible type of coupling.
v. A fluid coupling makes use of the centrifugal force of the fluid flowing to the
16. Under which classification does the Raffard coupling fall.

17. When setting up a coupling on an engineering system, what are the THREE
important types of alignment errors you need to be aware of?

18. Explain the diference between a flange coupling and solid flange coupling.

19. Describe the main difference between a permanent and self-aligning

coupling.

20. What is the advantage of a rubber belt coupling compared to a fixed

coupling.

21. Mention five functions of a spider coupling.

22. What are advantages of the leather or rubber bands in the Raffard coupling.