Selecting the Right Coupling: Types and Considerations https://www.designworldonline.com/selecting-right-coupling-types-co...

Elastomeric couplings can be divided into compression and shear depending on

which load type is being applied to the elastomer.

Edited by Mike Jermann/Assistant Editor

There are numerous factors that one must take into consideration when
selecting the right coupling. Factors such as horsepower, torque, shaft fits and
axial movement can all affect the type and size of the coupling used. Because all
couplings have a broad band of speed, torque, and shaft size capabilities, those
criteria are not the best place to start. One must first determine what attributes
beyond those basic criteria will be required for the application. If none stand out
then simply choose the lowest cost that fits those basics, though there will often
be other considerations that will narrow the alternatives down to certain types of
couplings. All types, however, fall into one of two broad categories, elastomeric
and metallic.

Elastomeric couplings include all designs that use a non-metallic element

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(usually rubber or plastic) within the coupling, through which the power is
transmitted. Elastomeric couplings can be further classified as compression or
shear depending on which is the principle load on the elastomer. Compression
types include jaw, donut, and pin and bushing, while shear types include tire,
sleeve, and molded elements.

Elastomeric couplings require no lubrication and are generally less expensive

than metallic couplings.

Some of the advantages of elastomeric couplings include the fact that they
require no lubrication and very little maintenance, along with the fact that they
are usually less expensive than metallic couplings with the same bore capacity.
Elastomeric couplings also have good vibration dampening and shock absorbing
qualities and allow for more misalignment than most metallic couplings.

The couplings are, however, sensitive to chemicals and high temperatures and
are usually not torsionally stiff enough for positive displacement. Elastomeric
couplings can also be difficult to balance as an assembly and some types do not
have good overload torque capacity.

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Metallic couplings gain their flexibility through loose fitting parts or flexible
membranes.

Metallic couplings do not use elastomeric material to transmit torque. Their

flexibility is gained through either loose fitting parts, which roll or slide against
one another (gear, grid, chain)—sometimes referred to as “mechanical flexing”—
or through flexing/bending of a membrane (disc, flex link, diaphragm, beam,
bellows). These types of couplings are torsionally stiff and have good heat and
chemical resistance. Metallic couplings also possess higher energy density than
most elastomeric couplings while maintaining a low cost per unit of torque
transmitted.

Metallic couplings lack vibration and shock dampening qualities and usually
require lubrication.

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Unlike elastomeric couplings, metallic couplings usually require lubrication and

often have many parts that need to be assembled. They also lack the same
vibration and shock dampening abilities and are less tolerant of misalignments.

Since couplings can act as both a protective device and as a means of

transmitting torque it is important to consider how these couplings can fail.
There are two basic failure modes for elastomeric couplings. They can break
down due to fatigue from cyclic loading when hysteresis (internal heat buildup
in the elastomer) exceeds its limits or from environmental factors such as high
ambient temperatures, ultraviolet light or chemical contamination. Also keep in
mind that all elastomers have a limited shelf life and would require replacement
at some point even if these failure conditions were not present.

The primary cause of failure in metallic couplings is wear, so overloads generally

shorten their life through increased wear rather than sudden failure. Membrane
types generally are more expensive, need no lubrication and little maintenance,
but their primary cause of failure is fatigue, so they can fail quickly in a short
cycle if overloaded. If kept within their load ratings, they can be very long-lived,
perhaps outlasting their connected equipment.

Sometimes selection of coupling type is guided by application, falling into one of

five categories: General-Purpose Industrial, Specific-Purpose Industrial, High-
Speed, Motion Control and Torsional. In each of these application categories
there are elastomeric, metallic membrane flexing, and mechanical flexing types.

Once the coupling type is selected, there may be variations to consider within
that type. For example, gear couplings offer a wide variety of configurations to
combine coupling functions with other power train requirements, such as shear
pin protection or braking. It is always a good idea to understand as much as
possible about the two pieces of equipment to be connected. Let the driven
equipment and the driver dictate the needs of the coupling. For example, is there
a shock load or a cyclic requirement that may lead to an elastomeric coupling? If
low speed and high torque are involved a gear coupling is likely best suited.
High-speed machinery will lead to a disc or diaphragm coupling. Diesel drivers
need the benefits of torsional couplings for best results. If the equipment is
susceptible to peaks or transients, the application may need a high service factor
or a detailed analysis of the coupling’s torque capabilities.

Lovejoy
www.lovejoy-inc.com

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