Flexible coupling designer Lovejoy Inc has introduced a new series of rigid adjustable-type couplings designed for easy axial adjustment of impeller clearance in vertical pump installations.
Unveiling the product, it said the new RA/RAHS series, as an addition to the Lovejoy/Sier-Bath gear coupling line, offered both close-coupled and spacer styles in standard (RA) type and high-speed (RAHS) type, which was specially balanced to API 610 8th edition tolerances.
Explaining, it said spacer styles provided a centre section that could be removed to let the impeller lift out for maintenance without disturbing and having to re-set its vertical clearance adjustment or demounting either the motor or pump housing. It added that all styles and types were available in either AISI 1045 steel or stainless steel for broad application across water wastewater, power generation, refinery and many other industries.
Rigid hubs with clearance-fit bores and keyways allowed easy slide-on, bolt-together installation. Twelve sizes covered bore requirements ranging from 0.44 inch to 10.5 inches with square key (or to 276mm with metric key), horsepower-per-100-RPM ratings up to 2,164 and thrust capacities up to 400,000 pounds.
The upper (motor) hub was indexed to the motor shaft by axial keyway and hung on a split thrust ring fitted into the shaft's circular keyway. The lower (pump) hub, indexed to the pump shaft by axial keyway, hung from an adjusting nut turned onto the pump shaft's threaded end.
Giving more details, Lovejoy Inc said the adjusting nut had a smooth cylindrical shape matching the hubs' outside diameter, with radial holes to allow turning with a spanner wrench. After adjustment was set, hubs and adjusting nut were locked together with axial through-bolts. Spacers engaged the lower hub's through-bolts on one end and bolted separately to the upper hub on the other end.
Founded in 1900, Lovejoy is an international leader in flexible coupling design and development, and the creator of the industry standard jaw-style coupling. Through the breadth of its product line, which includes curved jaw, S-Flex, gear, torsional and disc-style couplings, Lovejoy has built a reputation as a resource for flexible couplings that can serve applications of all types and sizes. Lovejoy also manufactures a complete line of variable speed pulleys and universal joints.
Lovejoy products are available worldwide from hundreds of power transmission distributors in North America as well as 45 other countries and regions. Lovejoy supports their efforts from a network of regional sales offices and warehouses, and a large engineering, marketing and customer service staff in Canada, Europe and the US. Lovejoy Inc is certified under the ISO 9001 International Standards for Quality Management.
