Clutch Ratings and GPM 1

[mrmeyer]

Had a question popup this morning -

"Good morning, y'all - xxx just stopped by to follow-up on his email about the clutch. He's more than satisfied with the service factor on the clutch model. In regards to his other question, he volunteered that the online website for the component that he looked up had an 11 gpm capacity/rating.... I admit ignorance in knowing exactly what he was referring to, but maybe that makes more sense to y'all in context of his question... What is that 11 gpm capacity/rating?"

My initial response was that clutches are measured in torque and service factor, but googling around shows various "clutch pumps" measured in gpm.

Ok, so I usually deal with rotating machinery 2500hp and up, so I discovered a hole in my knowledge. The application in question is for a fan on a fired heater application which apparently is going to have a clutch. What is this 11 gpm rating? How can I get more information on how such a system works?

 

[drawoh]

Michael Meyer,

I cannot see how a clutch can be measured in GPM. Something with a clutch can be measured in GPM! I have never seen a fan blowing air, rated in GPM.

--
JHG

 

[Jboggs]

Agree with drawoh.

Go back to the source.

 

[hydtools]

A 'clutch pump' would be a hydraulic pump driven by a belt drive through an electric clutch mounted to the pump shaft. The gpm rating would be that of the pump running at some rated rpm.

Ted

 

[TugboatEng]

I can see a manufacturer correlating a clutch with a GPM if the clutch was sold with a pump head as a package. Vickers 45V series pump (eg) can be loaded with a range of cartridges with different flow rates. Depending what cartridge is loaded the pump may need a different clutch.

If you go to the clutch manufacturer don't expect them to know this. You're going to need to calculate the torque based on system pressure and GPM.

 

[hydtools]

We are not given a clue about the referenced clutch website having the clutch rating quoted in gpm. So one guess is as good as another.

Ted

 

[dvd]

I suspect this is in reference to a fluid coupling -

a little info here -

https://voith.com/corp-en/drives-tr...es/variable-speed-fluid-couplings.html#142981

 

[mrmeyer]

I'm familiar with the Voith products for turbomachinery, but I don't think that's it. The question originally came from our fired heater specialist, so it's likely this is for an induced or forced draft fan. Most of those I've dealt with are either single speed or on VFD.

I've not seen one with a clutch and can't figure out where this clutch pump measured in GPM fits in.

 

[LittleInch]

"he volunteered that the online website for the component that he looked up had an 11 gpm capacity/rating..."

No website, no answer....

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[dvd]

From Voith website -

If there are speed fluctuations or the fan is re-starting while turning the fluid coupling will help eliminate exploding couplings. Not sure about the cost comparison between a VFD and a variable speed fluid coupling.

I am a fan of admitting what I don't know - why the hesitance to ask the originator?

 

[mrmeyer]

Because the originator asked me he is the Fired Equipment engineer asking the rotating equipment engineer why the coupling is measured in GPM and I initially responded I don't know and came here to find some education.

 

[Jboggs]

Pardon me. There has been a lot of discussion on this forum about this question, but the OP has not yet consulted the manufacturer or the publisher of said website. How are we expected to know more than the manufacturer?

When I say "consulted" I don't mean to just look at the page. I mean to pick up the phone and talk to a live person. I do not understand the hesitance of so many people to do that simple thing. Sorry if I offended but I seem to give the same advice 2-3 times every day.