15.

Couplings and Keys

Keys

Objectives

Recognize different types of keys and their standard sizes.

Size keys for appropriate structural loads.

Recognize many types of couplings and their advantages and

disadvantages.

Understand principles of splines and analyze appropriate loads.

Understand basic types of universal joints and how and when they may be
used.

Recognize and understand principles of miscellaneous shaft attachment

attachment
mechanisms such as setscrews, clamps, and cross pins.

August 15, 2007

It is a device that mechanically connects a

member such as gear to a shaft.
Most common type is a flat key.

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Fig. 15.1 Flat Key

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Flat Key

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Table 15.1

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Fig. 15.2 Other types of keys

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Design of Keys

Shear failure
F
F

Ss =

F
bL

Shear area
Ss = shear stress (lb/in2)

F=

F = force (lb)

2T
D

L=

2T
b D Ss

b = width of the key

L = length of the key (in.)

D = shaft diameter
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Example Problem 1515-1: Design of Keys

Crushing failure of flat keys

A -inch shaft transmits 5 hp at 1750 rpm.

F

F
Sc =
t
L
2

t/2

t/2

L=

F=

4T
Sc t D

The shaft is made from cold-drawn 1040 steel; hub

is made from hot-rolled 1213 steel; and a cold-drawn
1020 steel key is to be used.

2T
D

If direction is regularly reversed, determine length

of square key required for a SF = 2.5:
Material properties:
CD 1040

Sc = compressive stress (lb/in2) = Sy

(Appendix 4)

Sy = 71 ksi

HR 1213

Sy = 58 ksi

CD 1020

Sy = 51 ksi

Su = 61 ksi

Determine the torque.

t = total height of the key (in.)

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Example Problem 1515-1: Design of Keys

Example Problem 15(contd.)
15-1: Design of Keys (cont
A -inch shaft transmits 5 hp at 1750 rpm.

(From Table 15-1, for 1/2-inch shafting, the key is 1/8 x 1/8 inch)

The shaft is made from cold-drawn 1040 steel; hub is made from hot-rolled
1213 steel; and a cold-drawn 1020 steel key is to be used.

Determine the length of the key for shear:

Use:

If direction is regularly reversed, determine length of square key required for a

SF = 2.5:

Ss = .5 (Su) = .5 (61 ksi)

Ss = 30.5 ksi

L=

Material properties:
(Appendix 4)

CD 1040

Sy = 71 ksi

HR 1213

Sy = 58 ksi

CD 1020

Sy = 51 ksi

L=

Su = 61 ksi

Determine the torque.

63,000 hp
n
63,000 (5)
T=
1750
T = 180 in lb
T=

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(2-6)

2T
Ss b D

(15-2)

2 (180 in lb)
30,500 lb / in 2 .125 in .5 in
L = .188 inch

With SF = 2.5

L = 2.5 (.188)
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L = 1/2 inch

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Example Problem 15(contd.)

15-1: Design of Keys (cont

SPLINES

Find length required for compression, using lowest value of yield, which
is key value Sy = 51 ksi.

L=
L=

4T
Sc t D

Used for

(15-4)

4 (180 in lb)
51,000 lb / in 2 .125 in .5 in
L = .226

With SF = 2.5:

Extra torque capacity

Axial sliding capacity

Torque carrying capacity of a spline

L = 2.5 (.226)
L = .565 inch

T=

This would be the minimum length. A longer key may be useful

if the hub length is longer.

Ss D 2 L
16

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13

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Example Problem 1515-2: Splines

Example Problem 1515-2: Splines

A straight-sided spline like the one shown in Figure 15-4 has the following dimensions:

A straight-sided spline like the one shown in

Figure 15-4 has the following dimensions:

D = 1 inch
6 splines

D = 1 inch
6 splines

d = .810 inch
Determine torque capacity if system is made from 1020 steel as in previous example
problem.

d = .810 inch

Assume SF = 2 and spline has an engagement length of 2 inches.

Determine torque capacity if system is made from

1020 steel as in previous example problem.

Ss D2 L
16
30,500 lb / in 2 (1 in) 2 2 in
T=
16
T = 11,977 in lb
T=

Assume SF = 2 and spline has an engagement

length of 2 inches.

(15-5)

With SF of 2:
T = 5988 in lb
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Example Problem 15(contd.)

15-2: Splines (cont

Rigid couplings

If sliding under load is needed, assume 1000-psi contact pressure.

Find the area

(D d ) L
(number of splines)
A=
2
(1 .810)
2 (6)
A=
2
A = 1.14 in 2
T = S A rm

A coupling is a device used to connect the end

of one shaft to the end of a second.
Rigid couplings do not allow any
misalignment of connecting members.

(15-6)

1 + .810
T = 1000 lb / in 2 1.14 in 2

4
T = 516 in lb

This is far less than for the strength of the spline.

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Fig. 15.6 Three jaw (star) coupling

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Fig. 15.7

21

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Fig. 15.8 Coupling types

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22

Paraflex coupling (Fig. 5.24)

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Flexible coupling

Flexible couplings

Misalignment is attributed to

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Lack of perfect collinearity of bearing support

housings due to the manufacturing tolerances
Shaft bending deflection under load
Use of two separately mounted units, such as
coupling a motor shaft to a pump shaft

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Flexible couplings

Universal Joints

If rigid coupling is used with misalignment,

the result will be

26

They allow for greater angles of misalignment.

It also allows for the misalignment to change.

Excessive shaft bending loads

Excessive bearing loads
Increased vibration and noise

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Fig. 15.10 Needle bearing spiderspider-type

universal joint

Fig. 15.9 Pin type universal joint

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Universal joint

Fig. 15.11 Constant velocity joint

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Universal joint

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Universal joint

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Universal joint

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Other Shaft Attachment Methods

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35

Snap rings
Set screws

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Fig. 15.13

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