Oldham Coupling Mechanism

IT IS JUST A PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THIRD INVERSION OF 2R 2P MECHANISM IN WHICH THE LINK WHICH CONNECT THE TWO SLIDERS IS FIXED SO THAT BOTH THE SLIDER MAY HAVE FULL ROTARY MOTION AND GUIDEWAYS ALSO HAVE ROTARY MOTION ALONG WITH THE SLIDING MOTION ON TWO SLIDERS.

An Oldham coupling has three discs , one

coupled to the input , one coupled to the output,

and a middle disc that is joined to the first two

by tongue and groove .

The tongue and groove on one side is

perpendicular to the tongue and groove on the

other . The middle disc rotates around its center

at the same speed as the input and output

shafts .

Its center traces a circular orbit , twice per

rotation , around

The midpoint between input and output shafts

IT IS USED TO TRANSMIT POWER BETWEEN TWO MISALIGNED SHAFTS.

The lubrication pump on GE Reciprocating compressors is usually Directly driven by the compressor Shaft through an Oldham coupling Which transmits the torque from the reciprocating compressor crankshaft to the lube oil pump. In larger and high-speed (>700 RPM) compressors, the power absorbed by the lube oil pump is very high and therefore, the coupling is a very critical item for compressor reliability.

1. HOMOKINETIC TRANSMISSION-DRIVING AND DRIVEN SHAFTS ROTATES EXACTLY WITH THE SAME SPEED AT ALL THE TIMES.

2. HIGH LATERAL MISALIGNMENT IS POSSIBLE.

3. HIGH TORQUE CAPACITY AND ZERO BACKLASH.

4. ECONOMICALLY PRICED COMPARED TO OTHER COUPLING WITH SIMILAR PERFORMANCE.

5. INEXPENSIVE REPLACABLE WEAR ELEMENT.

1. LIMITED ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT OF SHAFTS.

2. NEED FOR PERIODIC LUBRICATION DUE TO RELATIVE SLIDING MOTION UNLESS NYLON OR RUBBER CONSTRUCTION IS EMPLOYED.

3. POSSIBLE LOSS OF LOOSE MEMBERS DURING DISASSEMBLY.