How do couplings transmit power with gears and shafts?

Coupling is a device that is used for connecting two shafts to transmit power. For joining them, some degree of misalignment is required. Proper maintenance and installation of couplings can help you to save a substantial amount and reduce cost and downtime. Gears are large, have high torque density and limited cross section of yoke and cross. Proper installation of gear and shafts can avoid misalignment over a passage of time. Bearings wear down and change its dimension with change in temperature.

The misalignment takes place due to vibrations. There are different types of gears available in the market and it is manufactured according to material, shafts, size and purpose. There are different criteria according to which gears are classified. One common way is the arrangement of gear and shafts. There are three kinds of arrangement of shafts. They are:

·         Parallel shafts

Parallel shafts interlock in the same surface level. They function in such a way that they transfer power of rotational motion between the parallel shafts.  It is efficient enough to provide maximum horsepower and is efficient for long term. It is capable of carrying high load but is little expensive.

·         Intersecting shafts

Intersecting shafts allow smooth transfer of power and motion between the axes. The power machines need speed and strength to handle high load capacity. It is generally used to power hand drills, locomotives, marine applications, etc.

·         Non intersecting or Non parallel axis

These are used on applications that need high ratio speed reduction to provide transmission in a limited area. Also, it has limited load carrying capacity.

A gear is cylindrical toothed wheel used to transmit rotational motion from one part of the machine to the other. Flexible gear coupling are available in two configurations- full gear and half geared half-rigid. Full-geared couplings have capability to accommodate both offset and angular misalignment while the half-geared half-rigid coupling has single rigid hub to take care of angular misalignment. When two or more gears work together, the connection between the gears allows flow of power from one gear shaft or axle to the other. Therefore, both gears and shafts are dependent on each other.

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