Load analysis of misaligned gear coupling using the clearance distribution of meshing teeth

A gear coupling is one of the most common types of couplings in use today. Its popularity is due to its ability to accommodate axial, radial and angular misalignments which result in uneven distribution and sharing of transmitted loads between meshing teeth and consequently enhance the deterioration in the coupling performance. During rotation of misaligned coupling, some teeth are completely unloaded whereas others are overloaded. This causes the teeth to be subjected to cyclic loading and may fail due to fatigue. The method of analysis presented in this study calculates tooth load sharing from the distribution of clearances between meshing teeth along the coupling circumference in the presence of misalignment. It turns out that clearance distribution and load sharing between meshing teeth are functions of the misalignment angle, and the position angle.