Design and application of flexible diaphragm couplings to industrial-marine gas turbines

Abstract

This paper discusses the common needs of different industrial-marine gas turbine systems for flexible power transmission coupling shafts and shows how the flexible diaphragm coupling has been successfully applied to such gas turbines as the TPM FT-4, G. E.'s LM2500 and several others. Most aircraft derivatives and the larger industrial gas turbines require lightweight, maintenance-free, quiet flexible couplings. The diaphragm coupling will fill this need if properly designed and applied. Materials and methods of making preliminary natural frequency calculations and computer modeling of the diaphragm coupling are also discussed.