Abstract
Historically, the negative effects of misalignment between the motor shaft and the load on the electric drives are well known. Vibrations, loss of life of couplings and deterioration of efficiency are some of these effects. Regarding this last point, the literature offers contradictory opinions. Some studies consider that the loss of efficiency in cases of misalignment is undesirable; while others consider that it has significant importance. In this paper, experimental results show in which cases the misalignment has a significant effect on efficiency and in which cases it can be neglected. For this, radial and angular misalignment cases are studied with four of the most used flexible couplings in the industry. The obtained results are analysed in relation to the actual regulations on energy efficiency in induction motors. The reached conclusions offer new tools for the correct selection of flexible couplings tending to the improvement of energy efficiency.
Highlights
Flexible couplings are currently used for power transmission through which they can be coupled between the motor and the load
In [16], with misalignments in excess of those allowed by the manufacturer, a loss of 2.3 % was observed, while in [24], it is claimed that the loss of efficiency could reach up to 10 %
It has been demonstrated that for certain models of flexible couplings and in the presence of misalignment levels that can be found in the industry, efficiency reductions of a drive cannot be underestimated
Summary
Some researchers suggest that the efficiency reduction due to the misalignment effects is not significant and can be rejected [10] and [13]. In order to carry out the mechanical power transmission from a motor to a load under ideal conditions, the axes of each machine must coincide In this case, it is considered that the shafts are aligned with each other. In such a case, the misalignment degree is given by the angle α. Each of them allows a certain tolerance in both angular and radial misalignment These couplings significantly improve the behaviour of power transmission, high misalignments cause a significant reduction in their useful life. In [11], an alternative model for misalignment cases is presented where the same conclusions as those obtained in this work are reached
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