Shaft Couplings

Coupling

• A coupling is a device used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose of transmitting power.

Types of Couplings

Couplings

Rigid Compliant or Flexible

Rigid Couplings

• Rigid couplings lock the two shafts together allowing no relative motion between them.

• Rigid coupling is used for aligned shafts, or when accuracy of torque transmission is of prime importance.

• Mostly used for low rotational speed shafts.

• Following are some types of rigid couplings;1. Setscrew Couplings

2. Keyed Couplings

3. Clamp Couplings

Setscrew Couplings

• Set screw couplings use a hard set screw that digs into the shaft to transmit both torque and axial loads.

Keyed Couplings

• Can transmit substantial power.

• Along with a key, a set screw may also be used, being located 90⁰ from the key.

Clamp Couplings

• It uses one or two piece split couplings that clamp around both shafts and transmit power through friction.

Flexible/Compliant Couplings

• Flexible couplings permit some axial, radial or angular misalignment

• Following are some types of rigid couplings;

1. Jaw Couplings

2. Flexible disk couplings

3. Gear and Splines couplings

4. Helical and bellows couplings

5. Linkage couplings

6. Universal joints

Jaw Couplings

Flexible disk Couplings

Gear and Spline Couplings

• Can absorb small angular and parallel misalignment

• High torque capacity

Helical and bellows Couplings

Linkage/Schmidt Couplings

Universal Joints

Rzeppas 6-ball CV Joint

Double Cardan Couplings