Abstract
Couplings between rotating machines are typically divided into two categories: rigid and flexible. Flexible couplings allow misalignment of the two shafts but introduce potential rotordynamic instabilities to the system. Holeset couplings, a type of flexible coupling, are designed to reduce the losses to the system due to such instabilities by avoiding operation at natural frequencies of the coupling. This is accomplished by designing the coupling such that the stiffness and hence natural frequencies of the coupling change as torsion increases. Existing test devices were employed to determine the rotordynamic stiffness and damping of a selection of flexible couplings. An analytical model of a simple system employing a flexible coupling was written. The data and this model were used to determine the reduction of lost torque a Holeset coupling provides over a tire type elastomer coupling. The data collected, the programs used to collect the data, and the simulation programs are presented. One of the test rigs may be modified in order to further study the dynamic properties of flexible couplings. The design of a suitable modification is also presented.
George, Gerald Geoffrey (2002). Force characterization of flexible couplings for rotordynamic simulation. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2002 -THESIS -G46.