Spring Couplings – Something new to replace your other spring couplings

Spring Couplings alternative

Spring couplings are nothing new on the power transmission coupling marketplace until now.

Their maintenance free design makes them a good alternative to the likes of a jaw coupling or universal joint.

They are varied in their appearance, size, torque capability, price points and flexibility.

Spring in outer hub.

Multiple layer springs.

Spline cut from solid cylinder (Beam coupling)

Internal spring also called a Grid Coupling.

Spring in outer hub  –

these couplings are a cheap coupling with a spring with its end bent and set into the outside of the hubs. They are usually small, can only carry a small amount of torque as the bend in the spring to fit it into the hub, creates a weak point in the spring at the bend of the spring. This means at higher levels of torque that weak point will mean the spring will break. Another downside of that is the spring being pushed out of the hub again at high torques or speeds. Flexible to usually 5-10 degrees. Torque capacity of less than 40 Nm. Spring coupling manufacturers are numerous.

Multiple layer springs

These couplings are usually sets of small springs welded to a hub and therein lies the weakness, these smaller springs mean their capacity to transit torque is limited, they usually can run at high speed and that also means their flexibility is limited also its is only capable of 4.5 degrees misalignment. The welding process, changes the temper of the springs making the location where the weld is much easier to break. This makes them far more likely to break at the weld site. Miki Pulley MM-35K, Baumann MM and Lovejoy Uniflex U series are examples of multiple layer spring couplings.

Beam couplings

Another one that technically isn’t a spring is the servo coupling also called a beam coupling. These couplings due to the fact they are cut from a single cylinder of material means they are good for high speed applications but the cuts also are the only way the couplings are flexible so they can only flex to a maximum of 3 degrees. Anything beyond that the coupling will break in two. Ruland, Lovejoy, TB Woods (Boston Gear) all are beam coupling manufacturers.

Grid Couplings –

Grid couplings use a spring but in a different way, spring wire is shaped into a series of U’s and wrapped into a circular shape then a set of hubs with grooves machined to accept the wire is then inserted and then a cover bolted so they do not seperate. Their ability to handle misalignment is very small. They do handle high speed and high torque. TB Woods, Lovejoy, Regal, Martin, Falk, Dodge all are manufacturer of grid couplings.

 

Different spring coupling

So what does Twin Spring Coupling do differently, well we do all the good things these other spring couplings can do without the downsides.

The Twin Spring Couplings have no bends in the end of the springs to hold the springs to the hubs. This means our couplings wont snap or be forced off the outer hub like it does with these types of springs. This means we can handle a lot of torque and be able to handle more vertical misalignment, usually what you see in a high torque coupling like a grid coupling or a universal joint or jaw coupling.

Multiple layers of springs, while yes we do have 2 springs sets, we are called Twin Spring Coupling after all, our springs are not welded onto the hubs. This means our springs will not snap at the hubs due to welding changing the temper of the springs much like the Miki Pulley, Baumann and Lovejoy Uniflex couplings will face.

Beam couplings we we do the same high speed handle more torque and offer a flexibility up to 45 degrees means we can offer things that beam couplings cannot.

Grid couplings yes use a spring inside but we offer similar torque and speed capabilities but we offer much more flexibility that the grid couplings cannot.

3 models of spring couplings, high speed high torque high flex

Twin Spring Couplings are offered in 3 ranges the TSC150, the TSC300 and TSC500 each range can replace a number of the different coupling types.

The smaller torque smaller size of the TSC150 replace the Spring coupling with the spring in the hub, but with improved torque, flexibility and build quality makes it a longer lasting alternative.

The TSC300 with the ability to handle 300ft lbs. of torque flexibility to 45 degrees, means its more inline with both the multi spring Lovejoy Uniflex spring couplings but also handles the speed and torque of the beam coupling and grid couplings.

The TSC500 at the high end of torque and speed makes it a suitable replacement for the grid coupling (@ 500ft lbs. of torque) it exceeds what a beam coupling can handle and the multi spring couplings also.

Twin Spring coupling is a coupling that can replace any number of flexible couplings like universal joints, jaw couplings, spring couplings and elastomeric couplings all with just one unit.

For more information on our couplings go to https://twinspringcoupling.com/coupling-products/.

For more information on other couplings go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coupling#Twin_spring_coupling.

 

 

 

 

 

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