Spacer Couplings

Spacer Couplings

The Spacer Coupling is used to extend the distance of a shaft. Designed in conjunction with the Tyre Coupling specifications, it can be used in combination with other couplings.
As the Spacer Type Coupling is Taper Locked, a large range of shaft sizes can be easily accommodated.

Spacer Coupling Specifications

Applications of Spacer Couplings

• Bevel gear transmission systems articulated.
• Connection of actuators in photovoltaic systems.
• Connecting jacks in handling systems.
• Connecting typically of transmission shafts away from each other.

Spacer Type Flexible Coupling Features

Generally, couplings are used for industrial machinery. They are used to accommodate displacement between the center lines of rotating shafts. They protect rotating shaft components from wear and can also be used to damp vibration.

Couplings come in various designs, and most manufacturers offer special features. These include a bushing style, splined style and adjustable line shaft couplings. All of these can be used in combination with different hub styles.

The LS spacer coupling design is a simple, inexpensive arrangement that is suitable for general industrial applications. This design is also ideal for low-speed applications. It can handle ratings up to 24 000 kW per 1000 rev/min.

There are a number of different types of spacer couplings, and they can be used to accommodate shaft separations of up to 3,048 mm. Generally, the length of the spacer is variable, but can be cut to length if needed. The hub can be a single or two piece design. The hub includes sheaves and belts.

Flexible couplings are also used in a variety of applications, and can accommodate varying degrees of misalignment up to 1.5 deg. The main advantages of these couplings are their durability and low maintenance requirements.

Spacer Coupling Alignment

Unlike a close coupled shaft, the spacer coupling has a larger distance between the flex planes. This allows for a wider misalignment capacity. It is important to consider this when selecting a coupling.

The most important criterion to distinguish between types of couplings is the relation between the diameter of the flex planes and the distance between them. The distance between the two flex planes can be as little as 3 mm. This is enough to achieve practical misalignment capacity.

For the close coupled alignment quality, a traditional tolerance value is a number of milliradians or mils at the center of the coupling. A maximum angle of 1.0 mils/inch is generally the maximum allowable angle. This value is not necessarily the best representation of the tolerance.

Using a modern laser shaft alignment system, an angle may be described as a gap difference at any diameter. This is typically not achievable by traditional close coupled tolerances.

For spacer shafts, tolerances are typically more forgiving. In addition, this tolerance is often displayed as an angle (driver to driven) or an offset. For a spacer of 100 inches, the angle/offset display shows an excellent alignment.

Spacer couplings are used for a wide range of industrial applications. They are particularly useful for pumps and other medium speed machinery. They offer better access for maintenance and corrections. They are also more forgiving of misalignment than close coupled shafts. Using these tolerances will make the alignment process quicker and more effective.