Couplings

Whenever the shafts are to be longer, they are made in two or more
lengths and are joined (to act as a single unit), by couplings
Couplings are permanent connections (unlike clutches)
Couplings can be meant for collinear as well as non-collinear shafts
Collinear shafts Rigid Couplings:
Sleeve coupling
Clamp coupling
Flange coupling
Non-collinear shafts Flexible couplings:
Bushed pin type flange coupling
Oldhams coupling
Universal coupling

Sleeve or Muff Coupling

Consists of:
A sleeve or a hollow cylinder
(generally made of cast iron) which
is fitted over the ends of the two
shafts to be connected
A sunk key (made of shaft material)
connecting the shafts to the sleeve

Advantages
Simple, no projecting parts, exterior
is perfectly smooth (safe to use)

Disadvantages
Requires very careful fitting, exact
dimensions should be maintained

3.5 D

Clamp or Split-Muff Coupling

Modification of the sleeve coupling

Rigid type

Easy assembly and disassembly

Used for transmission of heavy

torques

Made in two semi-cylindrical halves

which are joined together by bolts
and nuts
The halves are recessed to
accommodate the necessary
number of bolt heads and nuts

Flange couplings
Designed to withstand severe
service
Flanges are keyed to the shafts
Two flanges are coupled
together by means of bolts fitted
in reamed holes so that the
bolts share the loads equally
Protecting flanges are used for
safety of the workman
To ensure true alignment, one
shaft may enter the coupling of
the other shaft by about 10mm
Flanges are made of C.I. or
steel
Bolts are made of steel

Forces acting on the bolts

Bushed pin type Flexible Coupling

A modification of the rigid
type of flange coupling
Shock transmission is
prevented by the
cushioning effect of the
flexible element inserted in
one of the flanges
Slight misalignments are
taken care of

Flexible Coupling with rubber bush

Rubber bush is provided with
brass lining to avoid excessive
wear
Most failure modes present in
rigid flange couplings, are
present here too
Other failure modes:

Direct shear of the pins

Bending stresses in pins

Bearing pressure on bush

Force distribution over the bush length

Oldhams Coupling

Universal Coupling