A fluid drive is a connector, or coupling, between a power source (usually an electric motor) and a piece of equipment or Falk gear drive. The main purpose of a Falk fluid coupling is to provide a smooth and controlled link between mechanical power transmission products and the specialized operating equipment they power.
This link is achieved by utilizing a turbine on the input side and one on the output side of the housing. As the input shaft rotates, the input turbine steadily builds up pressure, forcing the output turbine to rotate as well. As power is transmitted from the input to the output turbine, some is inevitably lost due to the heat and friction generated; this is known as the slip rate. The higher the slip rate, the lower the amount of torque that is being transmitted by the Falk fluid coupling.
Benefits of a Falk Fluid Coupling
The main purpose is using a Falk fluid coupling is to limit torque on startup, while the input turbine is building up pressure. This delay allows the equipment to ramp up to operating speed without any harmful jarring or overloading the drive source. Other benefits of using a Falk fluid coupling include:
Slip rate regulation. Utilizing variable fill fluid drives also allow you to precisely regulate the slip rate and the speed of equipment to adjust for demand requirements of your Falk gear drive.
Increased starting torque. The delay in torque build up with the fluid drive gives the drive motor a chance to reach full operating torque before it is put under a load. This results in less torque needed from a motor of a given size.
Overload protection. The fluid in a Falk fluid coupling also acts as a buffer between the input shaft and what is transmitted to the output shaft, limiting torsional vibrations and minimizing wear on the equipment. When the machinery stops suddenly, the fluid drive will delay the sudden change in motion over a period of time, reducing additional damage from equipment jarring.
Contact Mar-Dustrial for more information on fluid couplings.
Posted under Products/Services on Tuesday, May 31st, 2011