Pump Couplings

PUMP COUPLINGS
Presented By:
Muhammad Israr Malik

Definition
 A coupling is a device
used to connect two shafts
together at their ends for the
purpose of transmitting power.
 Couplings do not normally allow
disconnection of shafts during operation,
however there do exist torque limiting
couplings which can slip or disconnect
when some torque limit is exceeded.
USES
1. Connects the shafts of units which are manufactured
separately such as a motor and pump
2. Provides ease of disconnection of pump/motor for
repairs.
3. Provides margin to cater misalignment of the shafts or
introduction of mechanical flexibility.
4. Reduce transmission of shock loads from one shaft to
another.
5. Protect equipment against overloads.
6. Minimize the vibration characteristics of rotating units.
Selection of coupling
1. Horsepower or torque of prime mover
2. Speed (rpm)
3. Type of equipment being connected
4. Shaft end details for driving & driven units:
 Nominal dia
 Keyway details
5. Space limitations (dist. b/w shaft ends)
6. History of equipment; e.g. any previous
coupling problems
Shaft Coupling Types
 Basically there are two types coupling
that are as follows:
1. Rigid Couplings
2. Flexible Couplings
1. Rigid Coupling
i. Primarily used for vertical pumps.
ii. Operate as a single shaft when two shafts are
connected solidly & properly.
iii. Used when precise shaft alignment is required.
iv. Permit neither axial nor relative motion b/w two
units.
v. Shaft misalignment will effect the coupling’s
performance as well as its life.
 There are three types:
i. Sleeve/muff coupling
ii. Clamp/compression coupling
iii. Flange coupling
Types of Rigid Couplings
i. Sleeve Coupling
i. Simplest type
ii. Hollow cylinder with inner dia same as that of shaft
iii. Fitted on shaft ends by means of gib head key.
iv. Power transmission by key & sleeve.
ii. Clamp Coupling
i. Modification & improvement of sleeve coupling.

ii. Made in two parts which are machined to fit the shaft.
iii. Two halves are clamped tightly against shaft ends by
through bolts.
iv. Torsional moment transmitted entirely by internal friction.
Types of Rigid Coupling
iii. Flange Coupling
iv. Consists of two separate flanges.
v. Each flange is mounted on the shaft &
keyed to it.
vi. One flange has projected portion & other
has corresponding recess.
vii. Both flanges are coupled by bolts & nuts.
viii. Used on large shafting as it is adopted to
heavy loads.
2. Flexible Couplings
1. Connects two shafts.
2. Transmit power from driving shaft to driven shaft
3. Accommodate four types of misalignment i.e.
Angular, Offset/Parallel, Combination & Axial.
4. Protects System
Why a Flexible Coupling?
 Accommodates 3 types of misalignment:
1. Parallel Offset
 Axes of connected shafts are parallel but not in the same
straight line.
2. Angular
 Axes of shafts intersect at the centre point of coupling
but not in the same straight line.
3. Combined angular & offset

 Axes of shafts do not intersect at the centre point of
coupling & are not parallel.
Misalignment Causes
1. Installation (human) errors
2. Thermal expansions
 Axial
 Vertical
 Horizontal
3. Worn bearings
4. Dynamic twist of bases under load
5. Settling bases / foundations
6. Pipe strain
Flexible Coupling Types
 There are three basic types :
1. Mechanical Element (Lubricated)

- Transmits torque through a lube film
- Accommodates misalignment from loose fitting parts or from
rolling or sliding of mating parts or from both
2. Metallic (Non-lubricated)
- Transmits torque through compression or tension of metal
- Accommodates misalignment through deflection of metals
3. Elastomer (Non-lubricated)
- Transmits torque through compression or shear of elastomer
- Accommodates misalignment through deflection of elastomer
1. Mechanical Element Coupling
i. Gear
ii. Grid
i. Gear Coupling Terminology
 Flex Hubs – Attached to Shaft
 Sleeves – Slide over hub teeth
 Accessories – bolts/nuts, gaskets & seal
 Hubs have external (male) gear teeth
 Sleeves have internal (female ) gear teeth
- Sleeve teeth contact hub teeth one for one; power is transmitted from tooth to
tooth thru lube
Gear Couplings
 Used for medium & large applications
 Advantages of Gear Coupling
- Accommodates angular misalignment upto ¼ degree & axial

misalignment.
- Very economical
- High torque capacity (torque to OD ratio)
- High torsional stiffness
- With good lubrication & reasonable alignment; service life can be of
3 years & in many cases 5-10 years.
 Disadvantages of Gear Coupling
- Regular maintenance/ lubrication required

- Wearing parts & assembly backlash.
ii. Grid Coupling Terminology
 Similar to gear couplings.
 Contains two hubs with serrations rather than teeth
 Grooves are connected by a steel grid.
Grid Couplings
 Used for medium & small pumps
 Advantages
- Can replace flex elements (grid) without moving hubs
- Absorbs medium shock loads
- Provides some torsional damping
- High fatigue life
- Moderate torque capacity
- Very economical
 Disadvantages
- Maintenance / lubrication required periodically
- Torsionally soft
- Typically shorter life than gear couplings
- Not suitable for critical applications
- Do not transmit power as gear does
- Often misapplied in pumps b/c of low cost & will fail immediately with
loss of packed lubricants
2. Metallic Element Couplings
i. Disc Type
ii. Diaphragm Type
i. Disc Coupling
 Transmits torque thru flexible, stainless steel disc packs
 Compensate misalignment thru deflection of disc packs
 No wearing parts - Flexing instead of sliding
 No lubrication required
 Unitized disc packs – ease of assembly
 High torque ratings
 Used on medium pumps
Disc Couplings
 Advantages
- Accomodates misalignment upto 1/2 degree
- No maintenance – No lubrication
- Designed for infinite life
- Zero backlash
 Disadvantages
- Less tolerant of extreme misalignment
- Typically larger diameter compared to gear
- Less axial float than gear
- Higher cost
ii. Diaphragm Coupling
 Transmits torque b/w inside & outside diameters of flex elements.
 Diaphragms can be constant or variable thickness
 Can handle misalignment upto ½ degree
 Low load on bearings
 Low induced vibration
 Infinite life
 Used for large critical pump applications.
3. Elastomeric Element Coupling
i. Dual Flex Diaphragm
ii. Jaw Type
i. Dual Flex Diaphragm Elastomeric Coupling
 Features dual-flex elements in
the form of urethane diaphragms
 Accommodates high angular as
well as offset misalignment.
 Good torque to OD ratio
 No lubrication
 Ease of field installation,
maintenance & replacement
 High reliability
 Low reaction forces on bearings
 Low axial stiffness
 Some torsional damping.
ii. Jaw Coupling
 Employed in small & Medium pumps
 Have elastomer in compression
 Flex elements may be of urethane or rubber
 Low cost
 No lubrication
 Move equipment to change out element
 Compensate angular misalignment upto 1 degree
& parallel misalignment upto 0.015 inch.
 Torsionally soft
By carefully selecting, installing
& maintaining couplings, you
can save substantial dollars in
reduced maintenance costs &
downtime.
THANK YOU

Pump Couplings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pump Couplings

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Pump Couplings

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

PUMP COUPLINGS

Muhammad Israr Malik

 There are three types:

ii. Clamp Coupling

i. Modification & improvement of sleeve coupling.

3. Combined angular & offset

1. Mechanical Element (Lubricated)

 Advantages of Gear Coupling

- Accommodates angular misalignment upto ¼ degree & axial

 Disadvantages of Gear Coupling

- Regular maintenance/ lubrication required

You might also like