Marine Couplings

Rubber Design has the in-house skills and expertise necessary to perform a complete dynamic analysis of a vessels propulsion system in order to select the correct coupling and engine mountings for each application. This ensures that the coupling and engine mountings work together in perfect harmony.

SMART-LINK flexible coupling
The Rubber Design SMART-LINK flexible coupling (Stable Movement, Axial, Radial,
Torsional ) is a newly developed coupling using rubber torque-links with interior cord
inlays. The high degree of allowable displacements and associated low stiffnesses
makes the SMART-LINK flexible coupling particularly suitable for the application
with soft mounted flexible systems.

The SMART-LINK flexible coupling is specifically designed for usage between the
propeller shaft with a separate thrust bearing and the gearbox. However it’s also well
suited for waterjets, thrusters, alternators, electric motors and (hydraulic ) pumps.
The single and dubble row torque-link design has an optimal torque capacity versus
the smallest possible outside diameter. The SMART design of the coupling results in
the smallest possible built-in length with maximum flexibility.

Marine Couplings type ERD
Pre-compressed rubber blocks form the basis of all ERD coupling designs. Natural rubber of 55˚-60˚Sh.A hardness is the standard material, but alternative mixes are available and neoprene blocks are used where additional damping is required. The blocks accommodate movement in all directions, making ERD couplings exceptionally tolerant of relative propeller shaft displacements in combination with flexible mounted propulsion engine and providing controlled torsional vibration excitation.

Advantages of the ERD marine coupling:
– Reduction of torque fluctuations
– Damping of torsional vibrations
– Reduction of resonance symptoms
– Compensating of radial, axial and angular shaft displacements including thrust/pressure absorption
– Isolation of vibration and noise transmission