Single Diaphragm Couplings
Single diaphragm coupling as a precision mechanical transmission component, plays a crucial role in modern industrial equipment. This type of coupling is widely used in various transmission systems that require high precision and reliability due to its unique structural design and excellent performance characteristics.
A single diaphragm coupling is a metal elastic element flexible coupling, whose core structure consists of a precision designed metal diaphragm and two shaft sleeves. The membrane is usually made of high-strength stainless steel sheet and connected to the two halves of the coupling through high-strength bolts in a staggered manner. This structural design enables the single diaphragm coupling to achieve efficient power transmission without the need for lubrication.
Diaphragm material: 304 stainless steel, 316 stainless steel or high-strength alloy steel, with a thickness usually between 0.2-1.0mm
Connection method: Bolt interlocking fixation ensures even torque transmission
Shaft sleeve design: usually made of aluminum alloy or steel material, with surface treated by anodizing or coating to improve corrosion resistance
The working principle of a single diaphragm coupling is based on the elastic deformation ability of the metal diaphragm. When the driving shaft rotates, torque is transmitted to the diaphragm through the bolt group, and then transmitted to the driven shaft through the diaphragm. During the transmission process, if there is installation deviation (axial, radial, or angular) between the two shafts, the diaphragm will produce corresponding elastic deformation to compensate for these deviations, thereby reducing the additional load on the bearings and shaft system.
Compared with double diaphragm couplings, single diaphragm couplings are simpler and more compact in structure, but due to only one diaphragm component, their ability to compensate for deviations is relatively weak. Single diaphragm couplings are more suitable for applications with high precision requirements and small deviations, while double diaphragm couplings can better handle larger shaft system deviations.
The single diaphragm coupling has a series of outstanding performance characteristics, making it the preferred transmission connection solution in many industrial applications:
High precision transmission: The single diaphragm coupling can transmit motion and torque without any gaps, with extremely high transmission accuracy and no slip during operation, making it particularly suitable for servo systems and precision mechanical transmissions.
Powerful deviation compensation capability: Although not as good as double diaphragm couplings, single diaphragm couplings can still effectively compensate for axial, radial, and angular deviations. Typical compensation values can reach axial ± 0.5mm, radial ± 0.3mm, and angular ± 0.5 °.
Maintenance free design: Due to the absence of relative sliding parts and lubrication, single diaphragm couplings require almost no daily maintenance, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Excellent dynamic performance: The diaphragm coupling has high torsional rigidity and good damping characteristics, which can effectively suppress vibration and impact, and improve the dynamic performance of the entire transmission system.
Environmental adaptability: It can work stably within a temperature range of -80 ° C to+300 ° C, is corrosion-resistant and oil resistant, and is suitable for harsh working conditions.
High transmission efficiency: With a transmission efficiency of up to 99.86% and minimal energy loss, it is particularly suitable for medium and high-speed high-power transmission systems.
Lightweight design: Compared to traditional forms such as gear couplings, single diaphragm couplings have a simple structure, light weight, and small volume, which is beneficial for reducing rotational inertia.
It is worth mentioning that although the torsional stiffness of the single diaphragm coupling is high, it is slightly lower than that of the bellows coupling. This characteristic makes it perform well in applications that require a certain degree of flexibility but cannot sacrifice transmission accuracy, such as the feed system of CNC machine tools and joint transmission of robots.
Single diaphragm couplings have been widely used in many industrial fields due to their excellent performance characteristics
Industrial automation equipment
In automated production lines and industrial robots, single diaphragm couplings are commonly used to connect servo motors with actuators such as ball screws and pulleys. Its high precision and fast response characteristics ensure positioning accuracy and repeat positioning accuracy:
Joint transmission of assembly robots
Precision positioning mechanism for automatic assembly line
Precision motion platform for semiconductor manufacturing equipment
Measurement and cutting devices for packaging machineryFluid Machinery
Various fluid machinery such as pumps, compressors, and fans widely use single diaphragm couplings to connect power sources and working machines:
Chemical pump: corrosion-resistant characteristics suitable for transporting corrosive media such as acids and alkalis
Boiler feed pump: high temperature resistance and adaptability to high temperature and high pressure working conditions
Centrifugal compressor: High speed capability meets high-speed transmission requirements
Ventilation fan: vibration reduction characteristics to reduce noise and vibration transmissionEnergy and power generation equipment
In the field of power generation and energy, single diaphragm couplings are used for shaft connections of various key equipment:
Transmission of auxiliary equipment for steam turbine generator set
Backup drive for yaw and pitch system of wind turbine generator set
Auxiliary power transmission of gas turbine
Backup transmission system for nuclear power plant main pumpTransportation equipment
Single membrane couplings also have important applications in the field of transportation:
High speed power transmission system for ships
Transmission of auxiliary equipment for railway locomotives
Transmission of aircraft auxiliary power unit
Power transmission system for special vehiclesSpecial environmental applications
Due to its corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance and other characteristics, single diaphragm couplings are also suitable for:
Mechanical equipment for offshore platforms
Oil drilling and production equipment
Mixing equipment for chemical production lines
Transmission system of high-temperature furnace
In servo system applications, single diaphragm couplings are particularly favored. For example, in the feed system of a CNC machine tool, it can accurately convert the rotational motion of the servo motor into linear motion of the worktable, while compensating for small deviations caused by thermal deformation or installation errors, ensuring machining accuracy.
By following the correct installation procedures and maintenance plan, single diaphragm couplings can provide reliable service for several years or even more than ten years. It is worth noting that although the single diaphragm coupling is designed to be maintenance free, regular inspections are still an effective means of early detection of problems and avoiding unexpected shutdowns.
