Eager Engineers’ Post

I was recently working on a rotary machinery, and witnessed the opening of the coupling casing, guards and the removal of coupling spacers. It was a diaphragm type coupling. This intrigued my curiosity about different types of couplings and in different high speed machinery, I spotted the use of gear couplings and shim-packed couplings. I searched up on the coupling types and what coupling actually is. In rotary high-speed machinery like turbines and compressors, couplings are critical components that connect the rotating shafts of machines to transmit torque, accommodate misalignments, and absorb vibrations. The selection of a coupling depends on factors like the type of machinery, speed, power transmission, and alignment requirements. Here’s a breakdown of the common types of couplings used in these applications, along with the most frequently used types: 1. Flexible Couplings These couplings are designed to accommodate misalignment between connected shafts while transmitting torque. They are highly suitable for applications where some degree of shaft movement is expected due to thermal expansion or installation inaccuracies. Types: Gear Couplings, Diaphragm Couplings, Disc Couplings, Elastomeric Couplings Most Common: Gear couplings and diaphragm couplings are often preferred in high-speed rotary machines due to their torque-handling capacity and ability to withstand high rotational speeds. 2. Rigid Couplings Rigid Couplings are used where precise alignment is possible and required. These couplings do not accommodate any misalignment but are capable of high torque transmission. Types: Sleeve/Clamp Couplings, Flanged Couplings Most Common: In high-speed rotary machinery like turbines and compressors, rigid couplings are less frequently used due to the need for precise alignment. 3. Torsionally Flexible Couplings These couplings are designed to absorb torque pulsations and dampen vibrations in rotating machinery, helping protect equipment from torsional resonance. Types: Grid Couplings, Elastomeric Couplings Most Common: For high-speed rotary applications, torsionally flexible couplings are used when vibration damping is required, but diaphragm couplings or disc couplings are generally more preferred for their durability and high-speed capability. 4. Hydrodynamic Couplings Fluid couplings use a fluid medium to transmit torque between the input and output shafts. They are generally used for variable speed applications and provide smooth starts for the connected machinery. These are less common in high-speed turbine and compressor applications where a direct mechanical connection is often preferred for efficiency, but they can be found in situations where load softening is important. Each type of coupling serves a specific need, and the choice depends on factors like speed, torque, alignment, and vibration control requirements. Learn more about Couplings here https://lnkd.in/dqwuiEY9

What do you know about Couplings

What do you know about Couplings

abdus-saboor.medium.com

To view or add a comment, sign in

Explore topics