Page 180 - The Tribology Handbook

B4 Flexible couplings

Elastomeric element couplings

There are various designs of coupling which use elastome-
ric materials to transmit the torque while allowing some
flexibility.
The most highly rated couplings use the rubber mainly
in compression in the form of rubber blocks located
between radial blades. A hub with radial blades on its
periphery is fitted to one machine, and a sleeve member
with corresponding inwardly extending blades is fitted to
the shaft of the other machine.

Convoluted axial spring couplings

The hubs on the coupled machines have a number of
contoured blocks around their periphery. A convoluted
axial spring is fitted around the hubs and into the slots
between the blocks. The driving torque is transmitted by
bending and shear in the axial bars of the spring, which
can also deflect to take up misalignment.

Quill shafts lie bolts for axial fixation

The machines can also be coupled together by a shaft with
a diameter which is just adequate to transmit the maxi-
mum torque, and made long enough to give lateral
flexibility in order to take up misalignment. Quill shaft
couplings do not permit any relative axial movement
between the coupled machines. Tapered dowel pins for torque
transmission and centring

B4.2