Disconnecting Coupling
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About Disconnecting Couplings
The disconnecting coupling allows two pieces of equipment to separate when you are not carrying torque, when stopped, or when coasting down.
The disconnecting coupling is not a clutch where torque is shifted on and off on the run. A hydraulic shifter allows both ends to operate independently by providing side-to-side shifting or manual shifting with a lever.
Power plants containing a turbine-driven feed pump are a primary application for the disconnecting coupling. The coupling is typically disconnected when the plant is not generating power and want the turbine shaft to turn slowly on turning gear while the pump shaft remains stationary.
This coupling is ideal for environments where the individual pieces of rotating equipment need to be tested, repaired, or replaced. One common example would be during an overspeed check of a turbine, which normally happens in the downtime before the system comes back online. The disconnecting coupling saves many hours of downtime by eliminating the time needed to dismantle and reassemble the coupling.
- Ideal for turbine driven pumps
- Allows for a speed test on the turbine with the pump connected
- Turbine can be on turning gear while pump rests