Increase efficiency and reduce your TCO with the correct coupling

The flexible coupling connecting a centrifugal pump to its motor is small in size, small in monetary value, but huge in terms of its criticality. When operating effectively, it should not only transmit power from the motor to the pump, but also protect the connected equipment from potential damage due to equipment misalignment. It should optimise efficiency, prolong bearing life and – if built to the required standards – help ensure safety in explosive atmospheres.

The Rexnord Thomas® XTSR71 Disc Coupling does all these things, and more. Its additional features and benefits make it the best possible choice for your centrifugal pump application.

To infinity and beyond

The unique strength of the Rexnord Thomas XTSR71 Coupling is that it provides very high torque density. Or in other words, it transmits a disproportionately high amount of torque for its diameter and mass.

Combine this with its reduced size and mass, and it definitely punches above its weight.

The high torque-to-mass ratio of the Rexnord Thomas XTSR71 Coupling means you still get the torque your centrifugal pump requires. But you get it with less weight on the drive shaft, which means less overhanging weight and hence lower stresses on the pump bearings.

And that leads to all kinds of associated benefits, including:

• less wear
• less maintenance
• a corresponding reduction in Total Cost of Ownership. 

Associated with its smaller mass, the coupling also has less inertia which can cause imbalance. And as a flexible coupling, it accommodates misalignment between the pump and motor.

All of which allows Rexnord to claim the coupling is “designed for infinite life” when operated within its design parameters.

Safety first. TCO second, third and fourth

Lowering your TCO through the use of standard, low maintenance, long-life components is important. In the kind of explosive atmosphere often found in the oil refining and process industries, safety is more important still.

The Rexnord Thomas XTSR71 Coupling meets:

• American Petroleum Institute standard 610/ISO 13709 (or API671/ISO 10441 when specified)
• ATEX 112GD cT6: approved for Gas and Dust (GD) explosive atmospheres and for the toughest temperature class (T6) for the group and category.

Which proves you don’t have to reduce your safety levels when you reduce the size, mass and TCO of your centrifugal pump coupling.

A question of balance

In disc coupling design, manufacturers must balance maximising torque density with optimising durability.

Historically manufacturers have offered products with conservative torque ratings to ensure longer life, but this leads to higher cost and a heavier coupling. Which can in turn lead to greater bending moment on the shaft, more vibration, and increased wear on bearings and seals.

As a Technical White Paper (Disc Coupling Dilemma: Torque Density vs. Durability. 2013) Rexnord carried out a torque density analysis, including a weight comparison of manufacturers’ couplings which met or exceeded torque and bore requirements for a NEMA 449T motor frame.

The results show that the heaviest coupling for this application is more than 45% heavier than the lightest. The lightest (Rexnord Thomas XTSR71 ) is therefore the most efficient design for the tested application.

For more information, please don't hesitate to contact our Power Transmission product business unit on 0121 508 6000 to discuss your options further or enquire online today.