Disc-O-Flex Couplings

eps

2 months ago

The Disc-O-Flex Coupling is a fully metallic, high-performance flexible coupling designed to transmit torque while accommodating shaft misalignment in industrial applications. It typically consists of two hubs, a center spacer, and two sets of stainless steel disc packs, bolted together with high-tensile bolts. The disc packs, composed of thin, flexible stainless steel blades, allow the coupling to compensate for angular, parallel, and axial misalignment between connected shafts, minimizing stress on equipment. Known for its torsionally rigid design, it delivers reliable torque transmission without backlash, requires no lubrication, and offers excellent durability. It's widely used in industries like petroleum, manufacturing, and power transmission for its corrosion resistance and precision.

Disc Couplings Size Chart

NE Type Disc-O-Flex Couplings

Size	Kw @100 RPM	Torque Nm	Max Speed rpm	Bore			Min. DBSE ‘S'	ØA1	ØB1	L1	Std. DBSE	TL (Std. DBSE)	* M1	Weight in kg. Approx.		M. 1.(WR² ),_ in kgm² Approx.		Tors. Stiff. MNm/ rad Approx.
				Min ØD1 & Ø02	Max.									Weight in kg. Approx.		M. 1.(WR² ),_ in kgm² Approx.
				Min ØD1 & Ø02	Ø01 Type I	Ø02 Type II								Min. Std. `S'	Per Mtr Extra `S'	Min. Std. `S'	Per Mtr Extra ‘S'
5	0.35	33	7500	8	20	22	41	55	30	25	100 140	150 190	65	0.81	2.03	0.0003	0.0003	0.016
10	0.67	64	7500	10	22	25	55	63	35	30	100 140	160, 200	75	1.37	2.29	0.0006	0.0004	0.031
35	1.67	159	7000	12	30	38	57	82	45	40	100 140 180	180,220 260	85	2.49	3.19	0.0021	0.0011	0.025
95	5.4	516	6000	17	40	50	82	102	57	45		1920, 230, 270	95	4.93	6.01	0.006	0.0017	0.040
170	9.0	859	5200	17	52	70	89	128	77	55		210, 250, 290	110	8.48	6.98	0.018	0.0047	0.099
220	14.0	1337	4800	22	65	80	108	146	94	60	140	260, 300	120	12.45	8.38	0.035	0.0088	0.176
400	25.0	2387	4400	27	80	100	114	176	115	70	180	280, 320	140	20.63	13.08	0.09	0.021	0.305
520	35.0	3342	4200	32	90	115	126	197	132	90	180	360, 430	175	32.01	21.72	0.17	0.056	0.432
1000	53.0	5061	4000	42	105	130	143	225	147	95	250	370, 440	185	37.09	21.72	0.25	0.056	0.600
1300	75.0	7162	3800	47	115	140	168	250	162	105	180 250 300	390, 460, 510	195	64.92	27.06	0.53	0.067	0.800
2000	105.0	10027	3700	52	120	155	180	275	178	115		410, 480, 530	215	86.97	42.79	0.86	0.167	1.130
2500	140.0	13369	3600	62	135	165	180	300	190	130		440, 510, 560	2s35	114.42	42.79	1.35	0.167	1.520

NEK Type Disc-O-Flex Couplings

Size	kW at 100 rpm	Torque Nm	Max Speed rpm	Bore			ØA1	ØB1	L1	DBSE G	TL	* M1	Weight in kg. (Approx.)	M.I.(WR²) in kgm²(Approx.)	Torsional Stiffness MNm/Rad (Approx.)
				Min. ØD1 & ØD2	Max.
				Min. ØD1 & ØD2	ØD1 (Type I)	ØD2 (Type II)
5	0.35	33	7500	8	20	22	55	30	25	5.2	55.2	65	0.63	0.0012	0.036
10	0.67	64	7500	10	24	25	63	35	30	6.5	66.5	75	0.97	0.0019	0.043
35	1.67	159	7000	12	30	38	82	45	40	6.5	86.5	85	1.94	0.0036	0.062
95	5.4	516	6000	17	40	50	102	57	45	8.0	98	95	3.42	0.0082	0.118
170	9.0	859	5200	17	52	70	128	77	55	9.5	119.5	110	6.02	0.0177	0.260
220	14.0	1337	4800	22	65	80	146	94	60	12.0	132	120	8.63	0.0308	0.492
400	25.0	2387	4400	27	80	100	176	115	70	13.0	153	140	14.24	0.0700	1.228
520	35.0	3342	4200	32	90	115	197	132	90	14.4	194.4	175	22.21	0.1320	1.926
1000	53.0	5061	4000	42	105	130	225	147	95	16.2	206.2	185	30.62	0.2367	3.613
1300	75.0	7162	3800	47	115	140	250	162	105	19.5	229.5	195	42.70	0.3990	ON REQUEST
2000	105.0	10027	3700	52	120	155	275	178	115	21.5	251.5	215	57.30	0.6350
2500	140.0	13369	3600	62	135	165	300	190	130	23.5	283.5	235	75.62	0.9976

BH Type Disc-O-Flex Couplings

Coup. Size	kW at 100 rpm	Tor- que Nm	Max Speed rpm	Bore						Min. DBSE ‘S'	ØA1	ØA2	ØB1	ØB2	L1	L2	Std. DBSE	M1	M2	Weight in kg Approx.		M. I.(WR²) in kgm² Approx.		Tors. Stiff. MNm/ rad Approx.
				Min.		Max.														Weight in kg Approx.		M. I.(WR²) in kgm² Approx.
				ØD1 & ØD2 Type I/II	ØD3 & ØD4 Typo III/IV	ØD1 Type I	ØD2 Type II	ØD3 Type III	ØD4 Type IV											Min. DBSE “S”	Per Mtr Extra ‘S'	Min. DBSE “S”	Per Mtr Extra ‘S'
4	0.35	33	7500	8	8	19	32	24	42	51	61	69	32	40	25	30	100 140 180	70	80	1.27	1.20	0.0006	0.0001	0.016
8	0.67	64	7500	8	10	24	42	38	48	65	69	90	40	55	30	40		80	90	1.95	1.32	0.0012	0.0002	0.031
25	1.67	159	7000	10	15	38	48	48	72	71	90	108	55	70	40	45		90	105	3.65	2.29	0.0039	0.0006	0.025
65	5.4	516	6000	15	20	48	72	65	92	95	108	135	70	86	45	55		105	120	5.92	3.19	0.0094	0.0011	0.040
125	9.0	859	5200	20	25	65	92	80	102	107	135	152	86	108	55	60	140	120	125	10.93	4.74	0.0283	0.0034	0.095
165	14.0	1337	4800	25	30	80	102	90	120	129	152	182	108	130	60	70	180	125	135	17.67	8.38	0.0604	0.0088	0.170
370	25.0	2387	4400	30	45	90	120	108	140	142	182	197	130	158	70	90	180 250	135	155	28.99	13.08	0.1410	0.0213	0.300
390	35.0	3342	4200	45	55	108	140	127	155	153	197	225	158	181	90	95		155	160	51.81	21.72	0.3650	0.0561	0.430
790	53.0	5061	4000	55	65	127	155	140	178	156	225	250	181	206	95	105		160	170	52.88	21.72	0.4181	0.0561	0.600
1025	75.0	7162	3800	65	70	140	178	155	192	169	250	275	206	223	105	115		170	190	73.37	27.06	0.7067	0.0670	0.800
1425	105.0	10027	3700	70	75	155	192	170	212	188	275	300	223	248	115	130	250	190	215	97.28	42.79	1.1340	0.1666	1.100
1880	140.0	13369	3600	75	80	170	212	190	255	202	300	375	248	280	130	145	250	215	245	127.37	42.79	1.7740	0.1666	1.500

Key Features of Disc-O-Flex Couplings

Disc-O-Flex couplings, as a type of flexible disc coupling, offer several key features that make them suitable for various industrial applications. Based on general knowledge of disc coupling designs and their typical characteristics, here are the key features of Disc-O-Flex couplings:

High Power-to-Weight Ratio: These couplings are designed to transmit significant torque relative to their lightweight and compact construction, making them efficient for applications where space and weight are considerations.
No Lubrication Required: Being fully metallic, Disc-O-Flex couplings rely on flexible stainless steel disc packs rather than moving parts that require lubrication, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring long-term reliability.
Torsional Rigidity: They provide high torsional stiffness, ensuring precise torque transmission with minimal backlash, which is ideal for applications requiring accurate positioning or synchronous operation.
Misalignment Accommodation: The flexible disc elements allow the coupling to compensate for angular, parallel, and axial misalignments between connected shafts, reducing stress on equipment and extending component life.
Easy Maintenance and Inspection: The design often includes a “drop-out” spacer, enabling replacement of flexible disc packs without disturbing the driving or driven equipment. Visual inspection is also possible without disassembly, enhancing operational efficiency.
Durable Construction: Typically featuring stainless steel flexible membranes and high-tensile bolts, these couplings are built to withstand demanding conditions, including high speeds and temperatures, with non-stainless components often coated for corrosion resistance.
High Speed Capability: The inherent balance and lightweight design make Disc-O-Flex couplings suitable for high rotational speeds, often used in applications like pumps, compressors, or cooling tower drives.

Applications of Flexible Disc Couplings

Flexible disc couplings, also known as disc pack couplings or diaphragm couplings, are mechanical devices used to connect two rotating shafts while accommodating misalignment, transmitting torque, and providing flexibility. They consist of a series of thin, flexible metal discs stacked together, typically made from stainless steel, which allow for angular, parallel, and axial misalignment while maintaining high torsional stiffness. Here are some key applications of flexible disc couplings across various industries:

Industrial Machinery Power Transmission: Flexible disc couplings are employed in industrial machinery like pumps, compressors, and conveyors to transmit power between shafts. They handle high torque loads while compensating for slight angular, axial, or parallel misalignments, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear on components.
Turbine and Generator Systems: In power generation setups, such as gas or steam turbines connected to generators, these couplings provide reliable torque transfer. Their flexibility absorbs vibrations and misalignments caused by thermal expansion or operational stresses, enhancing system longevity and efficiency.
Precision Equipment in Manufacturing: Flexible disc couplings are ideal for precision applications like CNC machines and robotic arms. They maintain accurate shaft alignment under dynamic conditions, minimizing backlash and ensuring consistent performance in high-speed, high-accuracy manufacturing processes.
Aerospace and Defense Mechanisms: Used in aerospace systems, such as helicopter rotors or satellite actuators, these couplings withstand extreme conditions. Their lightweight, high-strength design accommodates misalignment from structural flexing or thermal changes while delivering reliable power transmission.
Automotive Testing and Drivelines: In automotive dynamometers and driveline systems, flexible disc couplings connect engines to test equipment. They handle high rotational speeds and torque variations, absorbing shocks and misalignments to provide accurate performance data without compromising durability.
Marine Propulsion Systems: Flexible disc couplings are applied in marine engines and propeller shafts. They mitigate misalignment from hull flexing or engine vibrations, ensuring efficient power transfer and reducing maintenance needs in harsh, corrosive environments.

These applications showcase the versatility of flexible disc couplings across industries, leveraging their ability to balance flexibility, strength, and precision.

How to Choose the Right Flexible Disc Coupling for Your Needs

Choosing the right flexible disc coupling involves evaluating several key factors to ensure it meets your application's specific requirements. Flexible disc couplings are used to connect two shafts, accommodating misalignment while transmitting torque efficiently. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision:

Assess Torque Requirements: Determine the torque your system needs to transmit, including peak and continuous loads. Flexible disc couplings must handle these forces without deformation or failure, so select one with a torque rating exceeding your maximum demand for safety and durability.
Evaluate Misalignment Tolerance: Consider the angular, parallel, and axial misalignment in your setup. Flexible disc couplings excel at accommodating misalignment, but each model has limits. Choose a coupling with specifications that match or exceed the misalignment expected in your machinery to prevent stress and wear.
Check Speed Compatibility: Verify the coupling's maximum allowable speed against your application's operating RPM. High-speed systems require couplings designed to minimize vibration and maintain balance, ensuring smooth performance and preventing premature failure under centrifugal forces.
Consider Environmental Conditions: Assess the operating environment, including temperature, humidity, and exposure to chemicals or dust. Select a coupling made from materials like stainless steel or coated alloys that resist corrosion and withstand extreme conditions for reliable, long-term operation.
Determine Space Constraints: Measure the available space for the coupling in your system. Flexible disc couplings vary in size and design, so pick one that fits within your dimensional limits while still delivering the required performance, avoiding installation issues.
Analyze Backlash Requirements: Evaluate if your application demands zero backlash, such as in precision machinery. Flexible disc couplings typically offer low or no backlash, making them ideal for applications requiring accurate positioning and smooth torque transmission without play.