FUNCTIONAL PROTOTYPE OF PNEUMATIC FLEXIBLE SHAFT COUPLING WITH MECHANICAL CONSTANT TWIST ANGLE REGULATOR

Abstract

Pneumatic couplings with constant twist angle control are suitable for tuning mechanical systems where the load torque is proportional to the square of shaft speed. This is typical mostly for drives of ships used in water transportation. In given conditions, the coupling maintains the ratio of natural torsional frequency to rotational speed of the mechanical system at a constant value. With proper setting of constant twist angle, resonance with harmonic excitation components in a specific range of operating speed can be avoided. The goal of this article is to present a design of a newly built prototype of coupling with mechanical constant twist angle regulator. During further research, it is planned to be tested in laboratory conditions.

Keywords

• pneumatic shaft coupling
• constant twist angle control
• mechanical regulator
• pneumatic spring
• variable stiffness
• fan characteristics
• semi-active vibroisolation