COMPLETE REVISION

May 2005

Process Industry Practices Machinery

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed. Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material contained in or suggested by the Practice.

This Practice is subject to revision at any time by the responsible Function Team and will be reviewed every 5 years. This Practice will be revised, reaffirmed, or withdrawn. Information on whether this Practice has been revised may be found at www.pip.org.

Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP member companies and subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes, overlays, addenda, or modifications of any kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express written authorization of PIP.

PIP will not consider requests for interpretations (inquiries) for this Practice.
PRINTING HISTORY April 1998 May 2005 Not printed with State funds Issued as PIP RESE003 Complete Revision of PIP RESE003

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

Process Industry Practices Machinery

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

Table of Contents 1. Introduction .................................. 2
1.1 Purpose ............................................. 2 1.2 Scope................................................. 2

2. References ................................... 2
2.1 Industry Codes and Standards .......... 2

3. Definitions .................................... 2 4. Coupling Selection ...................... 3

4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Selection Data Requirements ............ 3 Coupling Type and Selection ............. 3 Coupling Sizing .................................. 4 Materials and Design ......................... 4 Balance.............................................. 6 Speed Rating ..................................... 6 Shaft Attachment ............................... 6

5. Documentation............................. 7
5.1 Drawings ............................................ 7 5.2 Data Sheet......................................... 7

Process Industry Practices

Page 1 of 7

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

1.

Introduction
1.1 Purpose This Practice provides selection guidelines for designers selecting general purpose nonlubricated flexible couplings. 1.2 Scope This Practice should be used to select flexible nonlubricated couplings for general purpose applications in most types of rotating equipment. General purpose coupling applications include loads with steady, nonfluctuating torque characteristics within the power and speed ranges defined in this Practice. Coupling applications are considered special purpose for rotational speeds greater than 3,600 RPM, having driver-rated power greater than 2,000 horsepower and/or a nonsteady (fluctuating) torque characteristic. The selection of couplings for applications outside the scope of this Practice should receive further engineering review.

2.

References
Applicable parts of the following industry codes and standards shall be considered an integral part of this Practice. The latest edition in effect on the date of contract award shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles will be used herein where appropriate. 2.1 Industry Codes and Standards American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI/AGMA 9000-C90 - Flexible Couplings - Potential Unbalance Classification ANSI/AGMA 9002-A86 - Bores and Keyways for Flexible Couplings (Inch Series) American Petroleum Institute(API) API 671 - Special Purpose Couplings for Petroleum, Chemical, and Gas Industry Services

3.

Definitions
diaphragm coupling: Type of flexible coupling consisting of one or more flexible elements that are attached to the outside diameter of one flange and that transfer torque through the diaphragm to its inside diameter attachment (a spacer or another flange) This type of coupling is considered a special purpose device and is not covered in this Practice.

Page 2 of 7

Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

disk coupling: Type of flexible coupling consisting of several flexible elements that are alternately attached with bolts to the opposite flanges. This type of coupling may be applied on either general purpose or special purpose machines. elastomeric coupling: Type of flexible coupling that uses an elastomer, either in shear or compression, in the torque path flexible coupling: Device that transmits torque while tolerating a limited amount of misalignment between connected shafts hub: Part of the coupling that is installed on the shaft. Hubs receive (or transmit) torque from the shaft through keys, splines, or friction service factor: The continuous torque rating for a specific coupling divided by the torque transferred at the rated conditions of a specific application spacer: A component inserted between two flexible elements. Spacers allow couplings to span the distance between the connected shafts. spacer coupling: Allows for removal of equipment components for maintenance and increases the allowable tolerance for misalignment

4.

Coupling Selection
4.1 Selection Data Requirements The following information is required for selection of coupling type and size: a. Type of driver b. Type of driven equipment c. Rated speed of driver d. Maximum speed of driver e. Nameplate rated power of driver (without service factor) f. Shaft power required by driven equipment

g. Shaft end dimensions for driver and driven equipment h. Distance between driver and driven machine shaft ends (DBSE) i. j. Environment Coupling operating temperature

k. Space limitations l. 4.2 Anticipated shaft thermal growth

Coupling Type and Selection 4.2.1 For rotating equipment at rated speeds of between 800 and 3,600 RPM, the coupling type should be selected in accordance with the following criteria:
Page 3 of 7

Process Industry Practices

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

a. For equipment that operates continuously above 3,600 RPM, a special purpose coupling should be used. b. For equipment that operates below 800 RPM, equipment manufacturers recommendation should be consulted. 4.2.1.1 For driver horsepower of up to 100, elastomeric couplings may be specified. 4.2.1.2 For driver horsepower between 100 and 2,000 or for vital or unspared equipment of any horsepower, nonelastomeric couplings may be specified. 4.2.2 4.2.3 4.3 Disk or diaphragm couplings should have more than one flex plane. Elastomeric couplings should not be used in hot services. Hot services include steam turbine drivers, steam-jacketed pumps, etc.

Coupling Sizing 4.3.1 4.3.2 4.3.3 Coupling size should be based on transmitted torque (horsepower per 100 RPM). The coupling should have a continuous torque rating greater than the driver-rated torque at driver-rated power and speed. The coupling should have a minimum service factor of 1.25 at the required shaft power of the driven equipment. Comment: The sizing criteria in Sections 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.3.3 are based on driven equipment for loads that are nonfluctuating. Coupling size may be larger than that required in Sections 4.3.1, 4.3.2, and 4.3.3 if dictated by equipment shaft size. However, the affect of overhung load should be considered. The intent is to minimize overhung weight and moment. Caution should be exercised because oversized couplings can produce unanticipated bearing loads.

Comment:

Comment: 4.4

Materials and Design 4.4.1 Disk couplings should be supplied with the following design features: a. Coupling hubs and spacers should be steel. b. Disk materials should be corrosion resistant steel. Comment: Operating area atmosphere should be considered when selecting disk and bolting materials.

c. Hubs and spacers should be designed so that the spacer will be retained if a disk pack fails. d. Puller holes, 3/8 inch (1 cm) NC minimum, should be drilled and tapped in each coupling hub. The coupling manufacturer should

Page 4 of 7

Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

provide puller holes of sufficient size to provide enough force to overcome the friction fit between the coupling and the shaft end without application of heat to the coupling hub. 4.4.2 The following items should be considered when selecting elastomeric couplings: a. Operating area atmosphere should be considered when selecting hub and fastener materials. b. Some elastomeric materials used in couplings lose strength and elastomeric properties under the following conditions: (1) Elevated temperatures (2) Hydrocarbon vapors (3) Acid vapors (4) Exposure to sunlight (5) High humidity c. Disk pack or diaphragm couplings should be used with equipment critical to the process or with unspared equipment regardless of the transmitted torque. d. During operation, coupling surface temperatures can typically be 20F (11C) higher than ambient air temperature. This increased temperature is primarily due to internal heat generation from elastomer element flexing. Operating temperature rise can be much greater if the shaft is significantly misaligned or if the coupling guard restricts cooling air circulation. e. Elastomer coupling misalignment tolerances are often determined by heat dissipation capacity. Equipment alignment tolerances are typically tighter than coupling tolerances to maintain high equipment reliability. f. All elastomers suffer loss of strength over time and should be replaced on a scheduled basis. The service life depends upon the type of elastomer used and the service conditions. Five years is considered a conservative maximum life of an elastomeric coupling under ideal conditions as specified by the manufacturer.

g. Polyester-based urethane elastomer elements are susceptible to hydrolysis effects. These effects may cause failure if operated for extended periods in hot and humid environments. h. High-torque elastomer elements/inserts should not be used unless provisions are made to prevent inadvertent replacement with standard torque capacity components. i. Elastomeric couplings may not be able to achieve higher class balance criteria.

Process Industry Practices

Page 5 of 7

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

4.5

Balance 4.5.1 Required coupling balance quality is determined by considering the type of coupling, the shaft rotational speed, and the machine system sensitivity to imbalance. ANSI/AGMA 9000-C90 defines system sensitivity to imbalance in terms of shaft deflection, bearing load, machine and foundation flexibility, system natural frequencies, distance between shaft ends of the driver and driven machines, and shaft configuration. All couplings should meet the dynamic balance criteria shown in Table 1 (in accordance with ANSI/AGMA 9000-C90). Assembly-balanced couplings should be clearly match-marked. For applications beyond the scope of this Practice, API 671 should be consulted.
Table 1 - Coupling Balance Class
Coupling Type Elastomeric Disk Pack Speed Range (RPM) 800 to 1,800 1,801 to 3,600 800 to 3,600 Minimum Balance Class 7 8 9

4.5.2 4.5.3 4.5.4

4.6

Speed Rating The coupling should have a speed rating that is greater than the speed expected in service, including the overspeed trip setting and the maximum speed of variable speed drives (maximum speed capability) where applicable.

4.7

Shaft Attachment 4.7.1 4.7.2 4.7.3 Key material should have the same strength and hardness as the shaft or the hub material. The corners of all keys should be chamfered to eliminate corner interferences in the keyway. The following information is contained in ANSI/AGMA 9002-A86. a. Dimensions for shafts with cylindrical bore: coupling hub bore, key, and keyways b. Table 2, as follows, for the class of recommended fits for cylindrical bore couplings and keys. ANSI/AGMA 9002-A86, Table 1, provides the tolerances for these fit classes. c. Dimensions for coupling hub bore, key, keyway, and mounted hub overhang and fits for use with tapered, keyed shafts 4.7.4 4.7.5 Coupling hub bore, key, and keyway dimensions for use with cylindrical, keyed shafts should be in accordance with ANSI/AGMA 9002-A86. Coupling hubs mounted on cylindrical, keyed shafts should have bore and key fits as shown in Table 2.

Page 6 of 7

Process Industry Practices

COMPLETE REVISION
May 2005

PIP REEE003 Guidelines for General Purpose Nonlubricated Flexible Couplings

4.7.6

Allowable hub keyway offset should not exceed 0.002 inch (0.5 mm), and allowable hub keyway lead should not exceed 0.00025 inch/inch (0.00025 mm/mm) of keyway. Coupling hub bore, key, keyway, and mounted hub overhang dimensions and fits for use with tapered, keyed shafts should be in accordance with ANSI/AGMA 9002-A86, Appendices A and B.
Table 2 - Class of Fit for Cylindrical Bore Coupling Hubs and Keys
HP <50 50100 >100 8001,800 RPM Class I* Class I* Class I / Interference 1,8003,600 RPM Class I* Class I / Interference Interference

4.7.7

*Tapered bushings may be considered.

Comment:

The benefit of an interference fit, as compared with a Class I fit, is that the hub is kept axially positioned on the shaft, which prevents fretting and resists the forces and moments generated from imbalance and misalignment.

5.

Documentation
5.1 Drawings A typical coupling outline dimension drawing is required for all applications. 5.2 Data Sheet The coupling requirements should be included on the driven equipment data sheet.

Process Industry Practices

Page 7 of 7