The purpose of a flange coupling is quite simple. It is a driving coupling between rotating shafts that consists of flanges, one of which is fixed at the end of each shaft. The two flanges bolted together with a ring set of bolts completes the drive connection.
Flange coupling
Flange coupling involves bringing the two tube ends together in a flush, sealed manner. The two-piece coupling unit consists of a keyed receiving side for the flanged end to be fastened. The reason being it may be married to the opposing tube end, which also has a flanged end.
Most flange coupling assemblies have either a female or male coupler opening so that when the two ends are brought together, they are aligned without causing drag or resistance in the material being passed through them. The female or male coupling method also creates a stable connection, resistant to shifting, keeping the flange coupling sturdily in place.
A flange coupling is useful in pressurizing the piping systems where tubing ends or two pipes need to come together. The connecting methods for flange couplings are usually quite strong. The reason is either the pressure of the material or the sometimes hazardous nature of the materials passed through many industrial piping systems. Bolt connections and high thread count nut are used to securing the flange coupling place. These bolts and nuts are usually made from tempered alloys or steel to provide the enduring strength and ability to tighten to the utmost level and ensure that the piping system doesn’t leak at any flanged junction.
Keys
Keys are machine elements used to prevent any relative rotational movement between a mounted shaft and the parts mounted on it.
If you want to make the joint, grooves or keyways are cut on the surface of the shaft and in the hub of the part to be mounted.
Mounting at an intermediate location on the shaft, the key is placed firmly in the keyway of the shaft, and then the part to be mounted is slid, until it gets fully engaged.
Types of Flange Coupling
The need for couplings arises after purchasing a heavy working costly motor and pump for it because they both need to be well-connected and ensure to be utilized properly while protecting the other components at the same time.
It is unavoidable to couple both the shafts, and it would be simple if they could be seamlessly aligned, and shafts never moved because of the machine vibrations.
Usually, there are 3 types of flange couplings; they can be classified as protected, unprotected, and marine flange coupling.
Protected Flange Coupling
If you want to make it protected, this kind of flange coupling, the protruding nuts and screws are shielded by flanges on both parts of the coupling. This kind of course of action helps to sidestep risks for the laborers.
Marine Flange Coupling
When it comes to Marine Flange Coupling, flanges are formed integrally with the shafts. Depending on the perimeter of the shafts, the number of bolts used is decided. It ranges from 4 to 12 bolts. These types of flange coupling elongated bolts without a head are used to hold the shafts together.
Unprotected Flange Coupling
When we talk about unprotected flange coupling, each shaft is entered in the main flange with a security key that modifies into the keyways of both shafts and the essential flange of the machine. The flanges are consolidated with the assistance of bolts and screws.
If we talk about these types of coupling, about three to six screws are utilized to affix the flanges. Keyways may cause a debilitating impact on the flange coupling by making a gap. If you want to moderate the equivalent, the keys are balanced at the correct point along the perimeter of the shafts.
Conclusion
The growing industrialization and an upsurge in need of technological advancement and engineering tools are taking place worldwide, and specific large companies have built up new industrial applications around them. We at Texas Flange are the leaders in manufacturing a wide range of products, and though couplings are not our specialty, we love to help our customers find what they need.
If you have any further inquiries, contact Texas Flange today!