The principles of fluid dynamics are present in nearly all modern inventions. From modern toilets to rocket propulsion, it’s hard to find any revolutionary technology that doesn’t use it. Fluid dynamics is one of the most important products in engineering.

Like most engineering concepts, the fluid coupling can be a bit of a puzzle. Luckily, we’re here to make things simple. Read on for a simple and intuitive way to understand fluid coupling.

What Is Fluid Coupling?

Fluid coupling, also called hydraulic coupling, is a hydrodynamic device that uses transmission fluid to transfer mechanical power. 

German scientist Dr. Hermann Fottinger invented fluid couplings. His invention was patented posthumously in 1950 and has been used for various industrial applications since then. 

How Does It Work?

The principles of fluid coupling are based on hydrokinetics and fluid dynamics. This makes it distinctly different from hydrostatic systems like hydraulic pumps. 

A fluid coupling consists of a pair of bladed wheels that face each other but make no physical contact. One wheel, called the impeller, gets connected to a power source. The other, called the turbine, receives power from the impeller that transfers directly to the transmission.

The impeller, also known as the input, spins faster than the turbine, which is the output. Fluid flowing from the input causes the output to spin and transfers energy throughout the system. Both wheels are housed in an oil-filled casing that keeps them in place.

Fluid Coupling Applications

Fluid couplings get used in several different industries. However, its most important contribution is to the automotive industry. Let’s take a look at how.

Automatic Transmissions

Before the invention of fluid coupling, all cars had a manual transmission. Manual transmission requires the driver to operate a clutch, which is the link between the engine and the transmission. Without its clutch, a manual transmission car would stall whenever it stops.

The invention of fluid coupling removed the need for a clutch. It became the source of torque conversion needed to make cars shift gears automatically. Every automatic car on the road today has been partly built using fluid coupling.

Semi-Automatic Transmissions

The use of fluid coupling extends beyond just motor vehicles. Fluid couplings also have an important benefit in rail transportation.

In Britain, diesel locomotives have a power transmission system that is semi-automatic. This power transmission employs fluid couplings to make the locomotives shift gears automatically while in motion.

Additional Resources

Despite being less than 100 years old, fluid couplings have revolutionized how automobiles and locomotives run. The automotive industry relies on its principles and wouldn’t be the same without them. 

Click here for more information about fluid couplings.

The world is filled with industries that require complex mechanical parts to keep everything running correctly. Most of these parts never get the attention or recognition that they deserve, and yet this lack of exposure in the spotlight makes them no less vital.

Couplings rank high on the list of parts for commercial equipment and other machinery that are often ignored or misunderstood. Couplings fall into two major categories;  mechanical flexing and material flexing.

Anyone familiar with basic engineering understands the undeniable importance of both categories of coupling, and yet you might not be aware of the different types of coupling that fall under each of these two primary categories.

This article takes a look at the different types. Keep reading to discover insight into these vital parts and why they are so indispensable to mechanical engineering. 

Mechanical Flexing Couplings

This category of coupling is intended to accept misalignments associated with sliding, rocking, or rolling metal surfaces. Each of these requires proper lubrication.

Gear Coupling

This type of coupling has two hubs, each consisting of external gear teeth. Gear couplings are designed to accommodate angular and axial misalignment during rocking or sliding.

Grid Coupling

A grid coupling features two radially slotted hubs that mesh together via a strip of spring steel. This type of coupling transmits torque to accommodate angular, parallel, and axial misalignments during rocking or sliding.

Roller Chain Coupling

A roller chain coupling consists of two radially sprocketed hubs which engage a strand of roller chain. This type of coupling is primarily used to moderate torque.

Chain Coupling

Chain couplings feature a chain around a single hub. This chain requires periodic lubrication that is to be brushed over the chain, and then the chain is covered to hold in the lubrication.

Material Flexing Couplings

Material flexing couplings are designed to accept axial, parallel, and angular misalignment. None of these types of couplings require lubrication.

Sleeve Coupling

This type of coupling transmits low to medium torque between pieces of connected equipment using males splines that are positioned to mate with female hub splines. A sleeve coupling can handle moderate misalignment.

Jaw Coupling

This is a material flexing coupling that’s designed to transmit compression torque between two intermeshing jaws. A jaw coupling can typically handle low torque for general-purpose mechanical applications.

Disk Coupling

The primary purpose of a disk coupling is to transmit tension and compression torque. This type of coupling can typically accommodate angular and axial misalignment.

Tire Coupling

Tire couplings feature a rubber or polyurethane element connecting two hubs and are designed to transmit torque in shear. These couplings have high misalignment capacity as well as a wide range of torque capacity.

Diaphragm Coupling

A diaphragm coupling is designed to transmit torque from the outside to the inside of the flexible plate. This type of coupling allows angular, parallel, and high axial misalignments.

The Basic Coupling Types and Their Uses

As you can see, there are many types of coupling. The more you understand about coupling, the higher the number of applications you can engage in. This article offers a basic overview of the primary shaft coupling types as well as their individual capacities.

Click here to learn about the types of mechanical brakes and how they differ.

Drive train applications are stressful to manage. Thanks to the introduction of industrial couplings, optimal use of equipment is possible. With a variety of the industrial couplings, it gets confusing on which type of coupling to choose.

You need to do a careful selection, installation, and maintenance of your industrial couplings. The strategy helps you cut costs and downtime. Kor-pak distributes high-quality industrial couplings.

Partnership with competent and authentic distributors makes it possible.

Read this article to identify the top 5 coupling providers represented by Kor-pak.

1. TB Woods

TB Woods is a global leader in industrial couplings design and manufacturing. The company’s operations in the industry last since 1857.

With all these years producing industrial couplings, what are your expectations? Top-notch and quality couplings. You’re not wrong. The couplings features outshine other competitors.

• High torque ratings
• Longer life
• Better value
• Interchangeable
• Atex compliant

TB Woods provides a wide range of couplings. This includes Sure-flex plus, Form-Flex, G-Flex, L-Jaw, and Dura-Flex, among others.

2. DESCH Flexible Couplings

This coupling provider offers complete solutions for every industry. The company is a technology-centric. It ensures high innovative products are in the market.

Are you wondering what type of couplings the company provides?

• Flexible couplings
• Rigid coupling
• Gear couplings

Desch offers you economical and torsionally high-quality couplings. Cost is a crucial concern for many. With Desch, you get affordable and long-lasting industrial couplings.

3. Stromag Couplings

Stromag’s popularity trends at a global scale. The company is famous for developing and manufacture of innovative power transmission components.

If you’re looking for the latest design technologies and energy-efficient industrial couplings, Stromag got you.

Below is the list of industrial couplings offered by Stromag.

• Offset couplings
• Plug-in
• Multi-segment
• Universal couplings
• Support couplings

4.  Altra Industrial Couplings

Altra Company provides a wide range of industrial couplings from a single source. With more than 150 years of experience, the company can satiate the client’s needs.

So, what makes Altra Motion offers the best?

• Highly engineered industrial couplings
• Infusion of current technologies
• Superior designs and
• High quality

Altra motions aim in providing high-quality mechanical couplings. They have a long-lasting performance in all types of environment. 

Our decision to represent a provider depends on authenticity, customer value, and high-quality products. 

5. Bibby Turboflex Couplings

Bibby Turboflex is a global leader in the production of highly-engineered industrial couplings. The products are customer-centric, which eliminates downtime and maximizes efficiency.

With such a firm brand name, you must wonder whether it’s credible. 

Bibby has more than 100 years’ experience.

• Its couplings are easy to assemble and replace.
• The couplings have high torque rates
• Part-for-part interchangeable

Bibby offers a wide range of industrial couplings that suits your needs perfectly.

Final Thoughts

Kor-Pak credibility to its client’s matters. We represent outstanding coupling providers to ensure consistency in the distribution of high-quality products.

Don’t presage your equipment with faulty industrial couplings. Order your preferred industrial couplings from us. We work with the best coupling providers.

Are you in need of industrial couplings? Don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll respond to you immediately.

Are you stuck trying to find the right couplings for your project? Looking at the many different types of couplings could cause anyone to become confused, but when your project is on a time limit, you need answers – and fast.

The good news is that knowing your coupling types isn’t as confusing as you might think it is. The even better news is that we’re here to break all of it down for you.

A List of Couplings

Jaw Couplings

Jaw couplings do their job by transmitting torque through compression, with an elastomeric spider placed in between two intermeshing jawlike pieces.

This may sound like a lot of complicated words, but jaw couplings are one of the most common kind out there. It’s excellent for low torque, general purpose use and is made of inexpensive but reliable materials to handle any project.

Beam Couplings

These little guys look like something out of a spaceship movie, and they’ve probably been used in a couple of them.

Beam couplings tend to be more complicated than jaw couplings. They have either one or many helical cuts to accommodate a wide variety of parallel and angular misalignments.

This makes them fantastic for use on motion control applications, and it’s a bonus that they can hold a decent amount of weight as well.

Tire Couplings

Tire couplings are incredible pieces of work. Everything about their size and shape shows that they didn’t come to play games.

Tire couplings have either rubber or polyurethane molded in the shape of a tire (hence the name) in between two hubs. The rubber/polyurethane helps to transmit the needed torque.

Thanks to the design, it not only reduces vibration or shock, but it also has a high misalignment capacity, meaning it can take a wide variety of couplings.

Combine that with its easy assembly and high torque capacity, and you’ll be wanting to use this coupler for almost every project.

Chain Couplings

Chain couplings are all about the power – and boy, do they bring all of it.

These types of couplings can transmit hundreds of horsepower per unit using an array of chain sprockets and roller chains, while still being flexible enough to allow for a pretty good misalignment range.

You won’t be disappointed if you choose these.

The Leader in Industrial Equipment

Now that you know all about couplings, you can shop around for them like a pro.

Here at Kor-Pak Corporations, we provide the highest quality industrial products at the best price. We have a large inventory, including disc brakes, industrial couplings, crane wheels, torque limiters, and so much more.

Have a question? We can help.

Come and check us out. We look forward to hearing from you!

Maintenance on your equipment is key to ensuring safety. And just like human beings, equipment needs a routine checkup in order to run efficiently.

Industrial coupling is no different. In order to save time and money on repairs, you’ll need to know the best ways to maintain your equipment.

Read on to learn the five tips for industrial coupling maintenance.

1. Disassemble the industrial coupling

When you’re inspecting the coupling, you’ll need to look into every crack and crevice. To do this, you’ll need to completely or partially disassemble the entire coupling.

This gives you a better view of the inside components. You’ll need to check for wear and tear, and also ensure that there are no alignment issues. Look for lubricants that have hardened, as this can also cause damage to the couplings themselves.

2. Ensure there’s enough lubrication

If the industrial coupling requires lubrication, you’ll need to make sure there is enough for optimal performance. Some of the types of couplings that require lubrication include:

• Fluid
• Geared
• Chain
• Grid joints

If your couplings are not properly lubricated, things will get complicated. The couplings need appropriate lube in order to move properly. If not, there may be issues with functionality that could ruin the couplings.

Additional lubrication may be necessary when you’re doing maintenance checks. Leaking can occur throughout time, so you’ll need to check to ensure there’s enough fluid within the couplings.

Make sure that you’re using the appropriate lubrication per the manufacturer’s requirements. Lubrication can differ depending on the type and manufacturer.

3. Be careful of contamination

As stated previously, it’s necessary that you take care when you’re inspecting an industrial coupling. Contamination can occur if you’re not careful. This can be particularly damaging to the couplings.

When you’re using solvents to clean or flush the coupling, make sure that you’re fully removing them. Otherwise, this can contaminate the equipment. Contamination will also thin the lubricant.

If any foreign particles enter the couplings, this can also cause damage to the machine.

4. Replace if necessary

If you’ve found wear and tear on the coupling, you may have to replace it. Couplings are generally inexpensive, so if you think that a replacement is necessary, you’ll save time and money on more expensive repairs.

Should the couplings need replacing, and they are not, it could affect other parts of the machine.

5. Reduce the use of the couplings

As with any machinery, the less it’s used, the longer it will last. But depending on your industry, this may not be an option.

Some other ways you can ensure that your couplings last longer is to watch how you’re operating the equipment. Hard braking and shock loading can greatly affect the condition of the machinery.

Conclusion

Proper inspection always ensures that machinery is up to proper standards. It will save you time and money to prevent more expensive repairs.

Plus, it will keep your equipment and couplings lasting a long time.

If you’re in the need for help with your business needs, we’re here to help. Contact us with any questions you may have.

Tips For Maintaining Your Stromag Couplings

Stromag couplings are built to last. But just like with any part of machinery, if you don’t take care of it then it won’t last.

Would you use your brakes without ever considering their maintenance? Of course not!

In fact, if your couplings aren’t properly designed, aligned, installed and maintained then your machine might not even get up to speed before the couplings give out.

If you’re going to invest in the quality machinery, then make sure you’re getting the right coupling for your needs, you use it correctly, and you maintain your couplings well.

If you consider the following tips for Stromag couplings, then you’ll definitely be getting your monies worth out of the product.

Get the Right Design

The first step in proper Stromag coupling maintenance is getting the right coupling design for your purposes. You’ll have to consider more than just whether or not a coupling fits.

Different Stromag couplings are designed for different levels of torque, horsepower, starting load and more. If you start out with the wrong coupling then it will never perform the way you want it to. Make sure the coupling you buy is right for the job you need.

Make sure the coupling you buy is right for the job you need.

Get the Assembly Right

Once you’ve gotten the right kind of Stromag coupling, it’s time to assemble it.

If you don’t assemble your coupling correctly, then you can’t expect it to perform well or last long.

Here are some good rules of thumb when assembling a Stromag coupling:

• Set the key ways 180 degrees apart. This isn’t necessarily required but it’s been assumed for years to help keep the coupling balanced.
• Make sure your axial spacing is correct for your specific type of Stromag coupling. If your axials are too close together it can lead to decreased coupling flexibility. If your axials are too far apart then it will lead to increased wear

When you buy a Stromag coupling it will come with specific instructions and information about the proper assembly.

Keep Your Stromag Coupling Lubricated

There are some Stromag couplings that require specific lubrication. It’s is important not to neglect the lubrication needs of your Stromag coupling.

If you keep your coupling well lubricated with the correct type of lubrication then it will continue to function well. A dry and neglected coupling isn’t going to last as long as you want it too.

The instructions that come with your Stromag coupling will be clear about all of your coupling’s lubrication needs. Take this information seriously!

Inspection

Last but not least, inspection is a vital piece of coupling maintenance. If you aren’t regularly inspecting the state of your Stromag couplings, then you won’t know what they need.

Every machine needs regular inspection to maximize it’s shelf life and efficiency. When you inspect your couplings you’ll have to check for sufficient lubrication, alignment, indications of wear, correctly seated keys. And like with any machine, you’ll have to ensure that all of the screws are tight and in good condition.

If you take some time before you buy Stromag couplings to make sure you’re getting the correct set, you put them together correctly, and you inspect regularly for good maintenance then your couplings should last you a long time.