Flexible Coupling Assembly for High Misalignment Gearbox Shafts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible coupling assemblies face challenges in efficiently transmitting power between gearboxes with high angular and axial misalignments, requiring improved structural features and economic viability.
Innovation Solution
A flexible coupling assembly featuring a quill shaft with a locking flange, radial displacement limiter, and flange adapters that allow for axial and radial movement regulation, eliminating the need for ball and socket assemblies and enabling longer quill shaft lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a sliding spline is used to limit axial load on shaft elements, then axial load capacity is improved, but the coupling's ability to handle angular misalignment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is divided into two independent load paths: a sliding spline for axial load and a ball and socket assembly for angular misalignment. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between axial load capacity and angular misalignment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The ball and socket assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that transfers angular misalignment forces separately from the axial load path. This mediator enables the coupling to handle both axial loads and angular misalignments simultaneously by creating an independent force transmission path
2Reliability
If conventional coupling structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but reliability and Mean Time Between Maintenance Action are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling incorporates dynamic elements including the ball and socket assembly that accommodates angular misalignment and the sliding spline that handles axial movement. These dynamic components allow the coupling to adapt to operational variations, improving reliability and extending maintenance intervals despite increased structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by allowing independent movement in axial and angular directions through separate mechanical paths. This parameter separation enables the coupling to maintain reliable operation under varying misalignment conditions while reducing maintenance frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible coupling assembly for a power transmission system including a first shaft defining an axis, configured for connecting to a first rotating member, the first shaft adjoining and passing through a first flexible diaphragm coupling and lockably connecting to a quill shaft by a locking flange and the quill shaft being configured for connecting to a second rotating member, including a first mating portion for receiving the locking flange of the first shaft within a circumferential opening, wherein the quill shaft is disposed within a primary diaphragm coupling shaft.