Coupling

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• A coupling can be defined as a mechanical device that
permanently joins two rotating shafts to each other.
• Joining two shafts is done with mechanical couplings. Couplings
should be capable of transmitting the rated torque capacity of the
shaft while accommodating any misalignment between the shafts.
The shafts to be connected by the
coupling may have collinear axes,
intersecting axes or parallel axes with a
Types of shaft small distance in between. Oldham
misalignment. coupling is used to connect two
parallel shafts when they are at a small
(a) In-line; (b) distance apart. Hooke’s coupling is
parallel; (c) used to connect two shafts having
intersecting axes. When the axes are
angular. collinear or in the same line, rigid or
flexible couplings are used. While the
flexible coupling is capable of tolerating
a small amount of misalignment
between the shafts, there is no such
provision in rigid coupling.
• Rigid couplings are simple and low cost. But they demand almost perfect
alignment of the mating shafts. The shafts must also have stable bearing
supports. Misalignment, whether present initially or developed from wear,
causes undue forces and accelerated wear on the shafts, coupling, shaft
bearings, or machine housing.
• In most coupling applications, misalignment is the rule rather than the
exception. It comes from such sources as bearing wear, structural deflection,
thermal expansion, or settling machine foundations. When misalignment is
expected, a flexible coupling must be used.
• Common selection factors include:
 Amount of torque
 Positive shaft engagement
 Misalignment tolerance
 Lubrication/maintenance
 Ease of installation/removal
 Operation under adverse conditions
 Service life
 Cost
Rigid coupling

Types of rigid shaft

couplings. (a)
Flange coupling,
consisting of a hub
and flange and with
a keyway for
torque
transmission; (b)
two-piece sleeve
couplings
(one-piece designs
are also available);
(c) compression
sleeve
couplings,
configured with
hydraulic lines for
installing the shaft;
the hydraulic lines
Flexible Coupling

An elastomeric disk coupling. Each hub is

connected to the flexible disk with
threaded fasteners that extend into slots
on the opposing hub, allowing angular
displacement between the hubs when a
torque is applied. This reduces impact
Schematic illustration of a jaw coupling loads and increases damping
Flexible Coupling
A bellows coupling.
A helical coupling
 A double
universal
joint, allows
the
connected
shafts to be
parallel and
If misalignment between mating shafts is offset by
greater than 3° a universal joint is often large
employed.
Angular misalignments of up to amounts.
45° are possible at low rotational
speeds with single universal
joints
MUFF COUPLING
Flanged bolt couplings (Coupling with two concentric bolt circle)

In shaft connections called flanged bolt couplings (see figure), the

torque is transmitted by the shearing force P created in the bolts that
are assumed to be uniformly distributed. For any number of bolts n,
the torque capacity of the coupling is
RIGID FLANGE COUPLINGS

Protected Type Rigid Coupling

Unprotected Type Flange Coupling

For
understanding
about Spigot and
recess
Proportions of Rigid Coupling

Refer to Eq.13.1(a) -
13.1(h) in
Handbook, Page
251-252
An empirical rule to determine the approximate number of bolts

The preliminary bolt diameter determined by the empirical formula

(i)Torsional failure of the hub
(ii) The torque capacity based on shear of bolts τ=allowable shear stress of flange
Bolts Fitted in Reamed and Ground Holes (CI)

Shear Resistance of Bolts

(iii) The torque capacity based on bearing of bolts and flange
Note: Compressive stress between bolt and flange causing crushing failure
(iv) The torque capacity based shear of flange

τ=allowable shear stress

of flange (CI)
(V) Torque capacity based upon friction

For uniformly distributed pressure, the friction radius Rf is

given
Bolts by
Fitted in Large Clearance
Holes

The friction-torque
capacity of the flanged
coupling which is based on
the concept of the friction
force acting at the mean
radius of the surface
A rigid coupling is used to transmit 20 kW power at 720 rpm. There
are four bolts and the pitch circle diameter of the bolts is 125 mm.
The bolts are made of steel 45C8 (Syt = 380 N/mm2) and the factor of
safety is 3. Determine the diameter of the bolts.
A rigid coupling is used to transmit 50 kW power at 300 rpm. There are six bolts.
The outer diameter of the flanges is 200 mm, while the recess diameter is 150
mm. The coefficient of friction between the flanges is 0.15. The bolts are made of
steel 45C8 (Syt = 380 N/mm2) and the factor of safety is 3. Determine the diameter
of the bolts.
Design Cast iron unprotected type of flange coupling to
connect two shafts of 36 mm diameter, transmitting 15 kW
at 720 rpm. The overload capacity is 1.25 times the
average torque. The bolts and keys are made of C20 steel
and flanges are made of FG200. Take FOS as 5.
Allowable stresses for C20 bolts and key : Refer
page 463, Table 1.8, y=245 MPa
Refer Fig.13.1(a), Page 251, Cast iron
Flange coupling
Dimensions of flanges
The hub diameter
D1 =1.5D+25 mm ---------------13.1(d), Page 252
D=36 mm
D1=79 mm
Length of the hub
L=1.25D+20 mm-----------------13.1 (g)
L=65 mm
Diameter of the bolt circle
D2 =D1 +3.2d--------------------13.1 (e)
D2 = 79 +3.2 x16
D2 =130.2 mm
Note : Where “d” is the diameter of the bolt
Bolt dimensions and number
Diameter of the bolt (d)
Outside diameter of flanges
D3= D1 +6d---------------------13.1(f)
D1=79 mm & d =16 mm
D3 =175 mm
Flange thickness
t=0.35D+9 mm ----------------13.1(h)
t=0.35x36+9 mm
t=21.6 mm
(i) Torsional strength of the hub
(ii) Torque capacity based on shear of flange
(iii) Torque capacity based on bearing of bolts and flanges
(iv) Torque capacity based on shear of bolts
Design of Key
BUSHED-PIN FLEXIBLE COUPLING

Refer to Eq.13.1(a) -13.1(h) in Handbook,

Page 251-252
Resisting Forces in Rubber Bushes
(i) Torque capacity based on shear of bolts
(ii) Torque carrying capacity based on bearing of bolts and flange

(iii) Torque carrying capacity based on shear of flange

(iv) The stress due to bending moment
(V) Torsional failure of the hub
It is required to design a bushed pin type flexible coupling to connect the output
shaft of an electric motor to the shaft of a centrifugal pump. The motor delivers 20
kW power at 720 rpm. The starting torque of the motor can be assumed to be 150%
of the rated torque. Design the coupling and specify the dimensions of its
components.
Permissible Values
stresses

Shaft, Shear τ=95 MPa

Keys τ=100 MPa

σc=300 MPa

pins τ=60 MPa

σt=200 MPa

Flanges τ=16.67 MPa

47 mm
Requires revision of Length of the key
Note: This drawing is not according to the final dimensions.