Shaft Couplings and Coupling Bolts

Purpose of the Shafting system :

1) Transmits the TORQUE developed by the engine to the propeller.
propeller Main Engine

shaft

Purpose of the Shafting system :

2) Transmits back the THRUST developed by the propeller to the ship structure, for the movement of the ship.
Thrust collar Main Engine Main Engine propeller

shaft

Thrust shaft :
1) With the thrust collar , thrust block bearings are assemble.
Thrust collar
propeller

Main Engine Main Engine

shaft

Shafting system
Crankshaft Thrust shaft Intermediate shaft/s Tailshaft Crankshaft / Thrust shaft Intermediate shaft/s Tailshaft

OR

Intermediate shaft :
1) One or more numbers, depending on the position of the main engine, relative to the propeller 2) Ends of shaft usually consist of a flange 3) Coupling bolts passing through the flange, securing adjacent flanges with nuts 4) Coupling bolts transmit the TORQUE
Bolt / nut
Shaft Shaft

Flange

Intermediate shaft (cont) :

5) Intermediate shaft/s : supported by intermediate bearing, aka as tunnel bearings 6) Bearing/s provided with bearing surface in the bottom half only 7) Aft most bearing supporting the shaft : Plummer Block Bearing 8) Plummer Blk Brg : larger than intermediate bearings & provided with bearing surface all around

Tailshaft or Propeller shaft :

1) Carries the propeller at the aft end 2) Shaft goes through a sterntube (cast iron), fitted at the lower part of the after peak tank 3) Shaft is supported by sterntube bearings or bushes at ends of the tube a) bronze bushes lined with lignum vitae (wood) : water lubricated b) White metal bearing : oil lubricated
Sterntube bearing or Bush Propeller

Tailshaft

Tailshaft or Propeller shaft (Cont):

1) Sterntube arrangement with forward & aft sealing arrangment : a) keeps sea water out of engine room b) keeps lubricating oil within the stern tube
Sterntube bearing or Bush Propeller

Tailshaft

Shaft
3 Main Type : 1) Fixed flange coupling 2) Semi-permanent or removable coupling 3) Muff coupling

Fixed Flange Coupling

Flanges are integral with shaft length Holes are drilled & reamed to take the fitted bolts Bolts shaft or the holes are either parallel or slightly tapered to improve fit contact Flanges brought together & bolted
Shaft Shaft

Flange

Semi Permanent Coupling

Shaft is a straight piece at the ends A flange with a boss, separately forged Boss is machined for shrink fitting onto the shaft Bearings are roller type

Shaft

Shaft

Shaft Coupling bolts

Coupling bolts tightened force the faces of the flanges together (1) Friction between the faces provides proportion of drive (2) Fitted bolt shanks designed to take a proportion of the drive A clearance bolt provides (1) but not (2) A fitted bolt when tightened reduction in X section could provide same as the clearance bolt

Shaft Coupling bolts (cont)

Transmission are borne by the contact faces of the flanges, not just the coupling bolts When assembled & tightened, become an integral part of the flange Sufficient interference fit required to avoid fretting during operation Excessive interference fit causes wear/ tear during assembling

Different lengths of the shafting can be coupled by many ways.

1.Parallel shank fitted bolts 2.Tapered bolts 3.Morgrip bolts 4.Muff coupling. (no shaft flanges)

Parallel Shank Fitted Bolts

Shank are parallel & cylindrical Slight taper at the forward end for easy entry Bolt head is cylindrical & nut is hexagonal Shrunk before assembling into bores of flanges
Shank Bolt head, Cylindrical or hex

Hex Nut Shaft Flange

Coupling bolts type:

Parallel shank

Tapered shank

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Morgrip type bolts

Centre load rod nut Nitrile seal

Oil pressure 2000-3000 kg/cm2

Piston

Protective cap

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Stress = Force original cross sectional area Strain = Change in length original length
Tension test OA : stress proportional to strain ; stress at A proportional limit AB : strain increases more rapidly than stress BC : Deforms plastically ; B : Elastic limit CD : strain hardening ; change in crystalline structure DE : Pronounce necking

SKF Muff Coupling

Inner sleeve

Shaft 1

Shaft 2

Nut

Sealing ring
Low pressure

Outer sleeve
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High pressure

1. Couplings placed in position. 2. HP injectors connected to A. 3. LP pump connected to B.

4. HP oil injected into A, oil film built up between inner & outer sleeve. 5. Oil leaks out through the thick end of the inner sleeve. 6. Oil is pumped into B & the outer sleeve starts moving towards the left side. 7. Oil is continuously fed through A to avoid metallic contact of the sleeves. 8. Once distance C is obtained, pressure in A is released.

9. Pressure at B is released when oil has drained off from contact surfaces of both the sleeves. 10. All connections are then plugged Page

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