Auto-engageable coupling for preventing transmission of reverse rotation to ESP motors

An auto-engageable coupling for use in connection with a submersible pumping system that includes a pump and a motor, the auto-engageable coupling comprising:

• a drive plate connected directly to a motor shaft driven by the motor, wherein the drive plate includes drive plate teeth;
• a reaction plate connected directly to an output shaft, wherein the reaction plate includes reaction plate lower teeth that are configured to engage the drive plate teeth when the drive plate is rotated in an intended direction by the motor shaft to permit the transmission of torque from the motor to the pump when the motor is energized for rotation in the intended direction;
• a braking mechanism, wherein the braking mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the output shaft in an unintended direction;
• and
• wherein the drive plate and reaction plate prevent the transmission of torque from the pump to the motor when the motor is not energized for rotation.