What Is Shaft Coupling? Its Advantages, Requirement, Types
What is shaft coupling?
Shaft cannot be made for very long due to its inconvenience of transport. The shaft coupling is a mechanical device that connects two shafts together at its end in order to have a greater length for transmitting power. Even though its primary function is transmitting power, it also enables some end movement and degree of misalignment.
How clutch differs from shaft coupling?
Similar to coupling clutch also connect two shafts at the end for power transmission. However, these two have an entirely different function. Clutch provide a mechanism for rapid connection and disconnection at the will of the operator. In contrast, shaft coupling makes a permanent or semi-permanent connection.
Purposes and advantages of shaft coupling
In machinery, Shaft coupling is used for many purposes. The most common purposes are listed below
1. Primary purpose of the shaft coupling is to connect the shaft unit that is manufactured separately to transfer power from one end of the shaft to the other.
2. Enable a way to disconnect a shaft in machinery for repairs and alteration work.
3. Help to alter the vibration characteristics of rotating parts.
4. Reduce the transmission shock loads from one shaft to another.
5. Provide some degree of misalignment in the shaft and mechanical flexibility.
6. Protect the machine from overload by slip.
Requirement of good shaft coupling
The following are the essential requirement of a good shaft coupling
- It should be easy to connect as well as to disconnect.
- It should give perfect alignment to the shaft.
- It should not have any projecting parts.
- It should reduce the transmission of shock loads from one shaft to another.
- There should be no power loss while transmitting; full power must be transmitted from one shaft to another.
Types of coupling
Shaft coupling mainly divided into two
1. Rigid coupling
Examples: Beam coupling, Flange coupling, Clamp or split-muff coupling
2. Flexible coupling
This type of coupling used to connect the shafts having lateral and horizontal misalignment. These are also used for vibration damping.
Examples: Universal coupling, Oldham coupling, Jaw coupling
Some other types of shaft coupling are Fluid Coupling, Magnetic coupling
🔗Difference between shaft coupling and clutch
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