Plate adapter for flexible half couplings

#The present invention relates generally to plate adapters for use with flexible couplings and more specifically to such plate adapters which are used to position and rigidify installed half couplings during installation, evaluation and/or testing of associated operating equipment.

#Flexible couplings are commonly used to interconnect driving and driven equipment for transmission of driving forces therebetween while accommodating some degree of misalignment between the respective input and output shafts. One type of such flexible coupling comprises two half couplings, one being connected to each of the output and input shafts of the driving and driven equipment and an interconnecting member extending therebetween. Each of the two half couplings includes a hub secured to the input or output shaft and a sleeve which is connected to the hub by means of a flexible coupling such as a flexible disk pack. A spacer tube serves as the interconnecting member and is secured to each of the opposing sleeves.

#In many instances, it is desirable to perform check runs on either the driving or driven equipment independently of each other for various reasons such as to check for vibrations or to check radial run out during installation of the equipment. In order to perform these check runs, it is necessary to secure the half coupling in operative relationship with the shaft and it is also desirable to simulate the weight of the spacer tube and its effect on the center of gravity on the overall coupling. For this purpose, the coupling, manufacture is often requested to provide a plate adapter which is designed to be coupled to both the hub and the sleeve so as to prevent relative movement therebetween.

#FIG. 1 is an end view of a flexible half coupling with a plate adapter operatively assembled thereto, all in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a section view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1, the section being taken along line 2—2 thereof;

#FIG. 3 is an end view of the plate adapter shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the plate shown removed from the half coupling;

#Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a plate adapter 10 assembled to a half coupling 12 which is secured to a shaft 14, all in accordance with the present invention. As shown, half coupling 12 comprises a hub 16, an outer sleeve 18 and a flexible disk pack 20.

#Hub 16 has a generally cylindrically shaped elongated main body portion 22 from which a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially aligned ears 24 project radially outwardly. Preferably, four such ears 24 will be provided on hub 16 being equally circumferentially spaced although a greater or lesser number of such ears 24 may be provided. Generally, ears 24 will be positioned approximately midway along the length of hub 16 and include a bore 26 extending axially therethrough. A center bore 28 is provided in hub 16 which is sized to accommodate the shaft 14 of the driven or driving apparatus with which the coupling is to be utilized. Preferably, bore 28 will be sized so as to provide a secure press fit assembly on shaft 14 with the outer end 30 of shaft being positioned in substantially coplanar relationship with the outer end 32 of hub 16.

#As shown, shaft 14 has a generally constant diameter along its length and may be provided with one or more keys and associated keyways cooperating with suitable keyways on hub 16 to ensure against relative rotation therebetween. Alternatively shaft 14 as well as bore 28 may be tapered and with hub 16 merely pressfitted thereto with or without the incorporation of keyways and associated keys. Auxiliary retention means such as a thread end portion and associated nut may also be utilized to ensure retention of hub 16 on shaft 14. In any event, bore 28 of hub 16 will be sized for a tight pressfit engagement with shaft 14 and, as is typical with such a connection, the forces resulting from this interference fit may result in a slight increase in the diameter of hub 16.