15.

Couplings and Keys Keys

„ It is a device that mechanically connects a
Objectives
member such as gear to a shaft.
• Recognize different types of keys and their standard sizes.
• Size keys for appropriate structural loads. „ Most common type is a flat key.
• 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.

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Fig. 15.1 Flat Key Flat Key

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Table 15.1 Fig. 15.2 Other types of keys

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1
 Design of Keys Shear failure

F F
F Ss =
bL
b
Shear area
Ss = shear stress (lb/in2)
2T
F = force (lb) L=
2T b D Ss
F= b = width of the key
D
L = length of the key (in.)
D = shaft diameter
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Example Problem 15-

15-1: Design of Keys
Crushing failure of flat keys
• A ½-inch shaft transmits 5 hp at 1750 rpm.

F t/2 F • The shaft is made from cold-drawn 1040 steel; hub

Sc =
t is made from hot-rolled 1213 steel; and a cold-drawn
L
F t/2 2 1020 steel key is to be used.
2T • If direction is regularly reversed, determine length
F= of square key required for a SF = 2.5:
D
4T
L= – Material properties: (Appendix 4)

Sc t D CD 1040 Sy = 71 ksi
HR 1213 Sy = 58 ksi
Sc = compressive stress (lb/in2) = Sy CD 1020 Sy = 51 ksi Su = 61 ksi

t = total height of the key (in.) – Determine the torque.

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Example Problem 15-

15-1: Design of Keys
Example Problem 15-
15-1: Design of Keys (cont’
(cont’d.)

• A ½-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 – Determine the length of the key for shear:
1213 steel; and a cold-drawn 1020 steel key is to be used.
• Use: Ss = .5 (Su) = .5 (61 ksi)
• If direction is regularly reversed, determine length of square key required for a
Ss = 30.5 ksi
SF = 2.5:
2T
– Material properties:
(Appendix 4) L= (15-2)
CD 1040 Sy = 71 ksi Ss b D
HR 1213 Sy = 58 ksi
2 (180 in − lb)
CD 1020 Sy = 51 ksi Su = 61 ksi L=
– Determine the torque. 30,500 lb / in 2 .125 in .5 in
T=
63,000 hp
(2-6)
L = .188 inch
n
63,000 (5) • With SF = 2.5
T=
1750 L = 2.5 (.188)
T = 180 in − lb
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L = 1/2 inch 12

2
 Example Problem 15-
15-1: Design of Keys (cont’
(cont’d.)
SPLINES
– Find length required for compression, using lowest value of yield, which
is key value Sy = 51 ksi.
„ Used for
4T
L= (15-4)
Sc t D • Extra torque capacity
4 (180 in − lb)
L=
51,000 lb / in 2 .125 in .5 in • Axial sliding capacity
L = .226
– With SF = 2.5: „ Torque carrying capacity of a spline
L = 2.5 (.226)
L = .565 inch Ss π D 2 L
– This would be the minimum length. A longer key may be useful T=
if the hub length is longer. 16
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Example Problem 15-

15-2: Splines Example Problem 15-
15-2: Splines

• A straight-sided spline like the one shown in • A straight-sided spline like the one shown in Figure 15-4 has the following dimensions:
–D = 1 inch
Figure 15-4 has the following dimensions: – 6 splines
–D = 1 inch – d = .810 inch
• Determine torque capacity if system is made from 1020 steel as in previous example
– 6 splines problem.
– d = .810 inch • Assume SF = 2 and spline has an engagement length of 2 inches.

• Determine torque capacity if system is made from T=

Ss π D2 L (15-5)
1020 steel as in previous example problem. 16
30,500 lb / in 2 π (1 in) 2 2 in
• Assume SF = 2 and spline has an engagement T=
16
length of 2 inches. T = 11,977 in − lb
– With SF of 2:

T = 5988 in − lb

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 Example Problem 15-
15-2: Splines (cont’
(cont’d.)
Rigid couplings
• If sliding under load is needed, assume 1000-psi contact pressure.
– Find the area „ A coupling is a device used to connect the end
A=
(D − d ) L
(number of splines)
of one shaft to the end of a second.
2
A=
(1 − .810)
2 (6)
„ Rigid couplings do not allow any
2
A = 1.14 in 2
misalignment of connecting members.
T = S A rm (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 Fig. 15.7

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Fig. 15.8 Coupling types Paraflex coupling (Fig. 5.24)

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 Flexible coupling Flexible couplings
„ Misalignment is attributed to
„ 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, „ They allow for greater angles of misalignment.
the result will be „ 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 spider-

spider-type
Fig. 15.9 Pin type universal joint
universal joint

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 Fig. 15.11 Constant velocity joint Universal joint

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Universal joint Universal joint

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Universal joint Other Shaft Attachment Methods

„ Snap rings
„ Set screws

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 Fig. 15.13

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