New Design Solutions of Tangential Pneumatic Torsional Vibration Tuners

Abstract

The optimal tuning of a mechanical system in terms of torsional dynamics is a very important function of the flexible shaft coupling, built in the system. Therefore, a flexible coupling with suitable dynamic properties has to be carefully chosen for each specific application. The main advantage of the pneumatic flexible shaft couplings, that is, torsional vibration tuners, developed at our department, is that we can easily regulate their dynamic properties, particularly their dynamic torsional stiffness during the operation of a mechanical system. In order to improve our pneumatic tuners in terms of better utilisation of their pneumatic flexible elements and achieving specific operational properties, two new pneumatic tuners with tangential arrangement of their pneumatic flexible elements were designed. The aim of this article was to introduce these new pneumatic tuners, protected by means of utility models, namely a tangential pneumatic flexible shaft coupling with axially deformed flexible elements and tangential pneumatic flexible shaft coupling with serial arranged flexible elements. Due to the fact that both mentioned pneumatic tuners are not yet

Novel Design of Variable Stiffness Pneumatic Flexible Shaft Coupling: Determining the Mathematical-Physical Model and Potential Benefits

“…This coupling is shown in Figure 2a Therefore, a new design with rotatable mounted consoles ensuring only axial deformation of elements has been developed. The new type of coupling was patented under the name "tangential pneumatic flexible shaft coupling with axially deformed flexible elements" [64,65]. This coupling is shown in Figure 2a in the neutral position and in Figure 2b at the maximum twist angle.…”

“…The main goal of this article is to explore the potential benefits of a new type of pneumatic flexible shaft coupling patented under the name "tangential pneumatic flexible shaft coupling with axially deformed flexible elements" [64,65] over a classic tangential pneumatic flexible shaft coupling using the same arrangement of the same type of flexible elements (air bellows). The selected parameters, which can be determined from the static characteristics (maximum twist angle, maximum torque, static torsional stiffness, and percentage of torque transmitted by the element's rubber shell), were compared.…”

Coupling with adjustable torsional stiffness

“…Easily adjustable torsional stiffness is beneficial for large machines and for other rotating systems where the torsional properties are difficult to calculate or predict. Various prototypes of couplings and joints with adjustable torsional stiffness similar to the coupling presented in this study have previously been developed [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. These designs use a wide range of different methods to adjust the torsional stiffness such as springs, beams, magnetorheological fluids and elastomers, and pneumatics.…”