Contribution and Perspectives of New Flexible Shaft Coupling Types – Pneumatic Couplings

Abstract

The contribution briefly approaches the author's profile in the field of scientific research during his work at TU in Košice. More precisely, it presents a selected, specific area of torsional oscillation of mechanical systems concerning the characteristics, research and application of new elements, i.e., so-called pneumatic tuners of torsional oscillation (pneumatic couplings), a field that the author has long been devoted to. In the process, the article informs the reader about the development of new types of flexible shaft couplings, i.e., tangential and differential pneumatic couplings (also with autoregulation), presents the results of static and dynamic measurements made on certain couplings with the interconnection of pneumatic flexible elements and draws attention to the conditions involved in the application of these coupling types in torsionally oscillating mechanical systems.

Electronic Constant Twist Angle Control System Suitable for Torsional Vibration Tuning of Propulsion Systems

“…At our department, new types of pneumatic flexible shaft couplings are being developed [15]. The dynamic torsional stiffness of these couplings can be continuously changed by changing the air pressure in their pneumatic flexible elements.…”

“…They also show less changes in properties due to the aging of the material of the elastic elements, because the elastic elements have low rigidity and most of the load is transmitted by the compressive force of the air [13]. Pneumatic flexible shaft couplings can be used for tuning torsional oscillating mechanical systems in two main ways [13][14][15]:…”

“…Semi-active vibroisolation systems use devices with the possibility to change their mechanical parameters affecting the size of torsional vibration (torsional stiffness, damping coefficient and moment of inertia). Devices using a change of torsional stiffness include some types of already manufactured shaft couplings such as pneumatic flexible shaft couplings [13][14][15] and magnetic shaft couplings [16,17]. Moreover, in the field of robotics, attention is currently paid to elements with variable torsional stiffness (variable stiffness actuators, variable stiffness joints) and variable damping devices too.…”

Pneumatyczne Elastyczne Sprzęgło Tłokowe O Dużych Możliwościach Tłumienia

“…Therefore, a flexible coupling with suitable dynamic properties, particularly dynamic torsional stiffness, has to be carefully chosen for each specific application, e.g. [2][3][4][5]9]. Flexible elements of flexible shaft couplings are made of various materials, mainly of rubber, plastic and metal.…”

Pneumatyczne Elastyczne Sprzęgło Tłokowe Mające Zastosowanie W Przemyśle Samochodowym

“…Our extensive research in the field of pneumatic torsional vibration tuners and torsional dynamics also leads to improvements of our pneumatic tuners and control systems, e.g. [2][3][4][5].…”