Looking for a big flexible coupling...

[n1210933]

Hi,

I'm working on a big test rig for generators and gearboxes. The prime mover outputs at 10-30rpm and 15MNm torque, and we will be fatigue testing and doing ultimate load testing so it will have to handle shock loads. The coupling will have to accomodate radial, axial, and angular misalignments (however the shaft is pretty long so we anticipate that these will not be large at all). My instinct is to use a jaw type flexible coupling, however I'm open to ther ideas. Does anyone know of any companies(preferably in the UK, then Europe, then rest of world) who is capable of producing a coupling that can take the large loads?

Thanks in advance,

Peter

 

[n1210933]

15MNm is the peak torque, fatigue loads would be half that or less.

 

[unclesyd]

Look for a company who's speciality is large couplings like the one made for rolling mills. There was a company, I cna't recall their name, in the UK that had a very good reputation for there couplings and shafts.

Here is one such company in the US.

http://www.xtek.com/index.html

 

[hydtools]

David Brown

http://www.davidbrown.com/gear-couplings.php

Ted

 

[Timelord]

When I was young, I knew an older fellow that built his own coupling to couple a RR Merlin engine to a generator. He had a machine shop make flanges which he bolted a tire between. I was in his shop the day they fired the rig up and the first time he cracked the throttle too quickly he tore the worn out tire they had used into two pieces. He immediately went out and bought a 10 ply truck tire and the rig was used for years with no trouble. Considerably cheaper than the cost of a large Falk coupling.

Timelord

 

[dvd]

I vote for a u-joint drive shaft. With splined slip joint it would give you great flexibility with respect to component placement. If you are testing multiple components with varying shaft diameters then I suspect that it may save money buying adapter hubs compared to buying gear coupling halves of various bores.

This link is for Dana, but Johnson Power is good to work with. Motion Industries also sells u-joint drive shafts, but I really prefer working with Johnson Power.

http://www.dana.com/offhighway_systems/driveshafts.shtm

 

[n1210933]

Thanks for all the answers, I've found a driveshaft on the Dana website that will do for now as it gives the dimensions of a driveshaft that will transmit 15MNm.