Posted to News on 5th Feb 2009, 09:26
Long-life Torsiflex disc couplings are maintenance-free
Bibby Transmissions has integrated the high-torque, high-reliability and zero-maintenance characteristics of its Turboflex couplings into a new range of Torsiflex disc couplings for general applications on process pumps, compressors and motors. The Torsiflex range offers typical operating life of 20-30 years; it is zero maintenance and is fully compliant with API 610 and ATEX. In addition, because the Torsiflex couplings employ the same design as the larger Turboflex range, the company claims that they can transmit substantially higher torque, size for size, than competitors' couplings. This feature offers the potential benefit of downsizing - and consequent cost-saving on some bore sizes.
The Torsiflex design offers the same performance and reliability as Bibby's Turboflex disc couplings, which are used in demanding applications on power station drives, gas turbines, oil platforms and vertical pumps. The Bibby design effectively drives in friction, rather than shear, to the disk coupling. This is achieved by using large aircraft-quality bolts on the disk hubs (the bolts are claimed to be larger than those used by competitors). As a result of this design, the pack of blades in the coupling can be clamped together harder to prevent fretting. In contrast, the use of smaller bolts does not enable the same clamping load to be achieved across the blades, so fretting is more likely to occur and, with it, the possibility of premature failure of the coupling.
Rated for operation at loads from 0.26-85kNm and speeds from 8000-3600rpm (smallest to largest), the Torsiflex range offers the benefit of a plug-in design for easy installation: the couplings can be installed and the flexible elements (disc packs) changed without disturbing adjacent machinery. Torsionally stiff and backlash-free, the Torsiflex also incorporates an anti-flail feature. Moreover, it will accept significant levels of angular, radial and axial misalignment without any loss of operating performance.
Maintenance-free
In addition, the Bibby Torsiflex couplings are essentially fit-and-forget units. They have no moving parts, so require no maintenance. They need no lubrication; however, the presence of oil in the environment will not affect the operation of the coupling.
Where hostile working conditions are encountered, the Torsiflex couplings can be adapted using a variety of special materials and surface coatings. Similarly, for applications where the environment is hazardous, spark-free ATEX-rated versions of the couplings are available.
For applications with load ratings in excess of the capacity of the Torsiflex range, Bibby Transmissions offers its Turboflex couplings. These couplings are used in some of the most challenging applications worldwide: in oil and gas, water treatment, power generation, marine and pumping applications.
About Bibby Transmissions
Bibby Transmissions is part of Altra Industrial Motion Inc, a multinational designer, producer and supplier of a wide range of mechanical power transmission products. The company comprises nineteen primary businesses, some with multiple locations worldwide. It brings together strong brands covering over forty product lines with production facilities in nine countries and sales coverage in over seventy more.
