ES342758A1 - Improvements in or relating to Coupling Devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A resilient coupling for pumps, fans, compressors, lines of shafts &c. comprises an intermediate cross the four arms 10 of which are connected via prestressed rubber or other elastomer pads 11 to plates 6, 7 fixed to respective shaft ends. The coupling may be of a form acting like an Oldham coupling (as shown and in Figs. 2-8, not shown) or as a double joint (Figs. 9-12, not shown). As shown, the cross has two opposite arms 10 co-operating via respective pairs of pads 11 with abutments 13 of the plate 6 and the other two opposite arms 10 co-operating via respective pairs of pads 11 with abutments 13 of the plate 7. The arms 10 preferably have increasing cross-section towards the cross hub 9. The plates 6, 7 have shaft receiving hubs 3, 4. Each pad 11 is adhered on the one hand to an arm 10, directly or through a plate fixed to the arm, and on the other hand to a rigid plate 12 which is arranged to co-operate with a corresponding abutment 13 and may have out-turned positioning edges 21. In assembly, the pads 11 are compressed, as by tongs, for introduction between the abutments 13, thereby providing pad pre-compression. In Fig. 2 (not shown), the abutments 13 are independently bolted to the plates 6, 7 and the pad positioning means comprises corresponding crossed projections (130) and grooves (130a) respectively of the plates 12 and the abutments 13. In Fig. 3 (not shown), abutments 13 are formed by branches of U- shaped members (140) bolted to the plates 6, 7, these branches and branches of U-shaped plates 12 diverging towards the coupling axis so that by radial assembly a pre-stressing (in compression and shear) of the pads is effected. In Fig. 4 (not shown) the arrangement is similar to that of Fig. 3 (not shown) except that the abutments are independent and the plates 12 have curved edges (150) bearing on the radially inward ends of the abutments 13. In Fig. 5 (not shown), wherein pairs of abutments are bolted to the plates 6, 7, the spacing between the abutments of each pair is such as to effect pad prestressing. In Figs. 6-8 (not shown), the plates 6, 7, cross and pads are pre-assembled as a unit, the plates 6, 7 being flat-faced for bolting to flat-faced discs (1), (2) keyed on shafts (A), (B). The abutments 13 diverge for the abovementioned pre-stressing of the pads. The pads are kept in position by arcuate strips (14) linking pairs of the plates 12 co-operating with notches (15) on the inner peripheries of the plates 6, 7, the latter being moulded and/or machined. The Figs. 9-12 (not shown) embodiment comprises a unit pre-assembled in the manner of Figs. 6-8 (not shown), but the opposite axial ends of each of all four arms are respectively connected by pad pairs to the plates 6, 7. The abutments are parallel, pad precompression being effected before assembly.