阅读说明：本技术 弹簧间隔件联轴器 (Spring spacer coupling ) 是由 丹尼尔·史蒂芬·米勒 保罗·沃尔特·本克 于 2018-12-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：描述了用于将驱动轮毂联接到从动轮毂的装置的技术。所述装置可包括连接到间隔柱的第一端部和间隔件驱动轮毂凸缘的驱动轮毂波形端部。所述驱动轮毂波形端部的一部分可通过第一波形侧和第一平坦侧从所述间隔柱径向向外伸出,并且可允许在轴向方向上移动且传递扭矩和轴向负载。所述装置可包括连接到所述间隔柱的第二端部和间隔件从动轮毂凸缘的从动轮毂波形端部。所述从动轮毂波形端部的一部分可通过第二波形侧和第二平坦侧从所述间隔柱径向向外伸出,并且可允许在轴向方向上移动且传递扭矩和轴向负载。(Techniques for a device coupling a drive hub to a driven hub are described. The device may include a drive hub wavy end connected to the first end of the spacer post and the spacer drive hub flange. A portion of the drive hub wavy end may project radially outward from the spacer column through a first wavy side and a first flat side and may be permitted to move in an axial direction and transmit torque and axial loads. The apparatus may include a driven hub wavy end connected to the second end of the spacer post and a spacer driven hub flange. A portion of the driven hub wave end may project radially outward from the spacer column through a second wave side and a second flat side and may be allowed to move in an axial direction and transfer torque and axial loads.)

1. An apparatus for coupling a drive hub to a driven hub, the apparatus comprising:

a spacer, wherein the spacer has a first end, a second end, and a central axis;

a drive hub wavy end connected to the first end of the spacer strut, a portion of the drive hub wavy end protruding radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through a first wavy side and a first flat side, the drive hub wavy end configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer strut, and the drive hub wavy end configured to transmit torque and axial loads;

a spacer drive hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the drive hub wave end and configured to couple with the drive hub;

a driven hub wavy end connected to the second end of the spacer strut, a portion of the driven hub wavy end protruding radially outward from the second end of the spacer strut through a second wavy side and a second flat side, the driven hub wavy end configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the spacer strut, and the driven hub wavy end configured to transmit torque and axial load; and

a spacer driven hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the driven hub wave end and configured to be coupled to the driven hub.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the drive hub wavy end has a first thickness in contact with the first end of the spacer post, decreases in thickness to a second thickness as the portion of the drive hub wavy end protrudes from the spacer post, and increases in thickness to a third thickness as the portion of the drive hub wavy end protrudes from the second thickness to the spacer drive hub flange.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second thickness determines an amount of movement permitted by the drive hub wave end in the axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer post.

4. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the portion of the driven hub wavy end has a first thickness in contact with the second end of the spacer post, decreases in thickness to a second thickness when the portion of the driven hub wavy end protrudes from the spacer post, and increases in thickness to a third thickness when the portion of the driven hub wavy end protrudes from the second thickness to the spacer driven hub flange.

5. The device as defined in claim 4, wherein the second thickness determines an amount of movement permitted by the driven hub wave end in the axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer post.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive hub wave end is curved relative to the central axis of the spacer column in proportion to a force applied to the drive hub wave end in an axial direction.

7. The device as defined in claim 1, wherein the driven hub wave end is curved in proportion to a force applied to the driven hub wave end in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer post.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the drive hub wave end bends in proportion to a force applied to the drive hub wave end in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer column, and the driven hub wave end bends in proportion to a force applied to the driven hub wave end in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer column.

9. A system for coupling a drive shaft to a driven shaft, the system comprising:

a driver;

a drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotationally driven by the driver;

a drive hub, wherein the drive hub is connected to the drive shaft;

the driven wheel hub is driven by the driving wheel hub,

a driven shaft, wherein the driven shaft is connected to the driven hub; and

a spring spacer coupling, wherein the spring spacer coupling comprises:

a spacer, wherein the spacer has a first end, a second end, and a central axis;

a drive hub wavy end connected to the first end of the spacer strut, a portion of the drive hub wavy end protruding radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through a first wavy side and a first flat side, the drive hub wavy end configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer strut, and the drive hub wavy end configured to transmit torque and axial loads;

a spacer drive hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the drive hub wave end and configured to couple with the drive hub;

a driven hub wavy end connected to the second end of the spacer strut, a portion of the driven hub wavy end protruding radially outward from the second end of the spacer strut through a second wavy side and a second flat side, the driven hub wavy end configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the spacer strut, and the driven hub wavy end configured to transmit torque and axial load; and

a spacer driven hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the driven hub wave end and configured to be coupled to the driven hub.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the portion of the drive hub wave end has a first thickness in contact with the first end of the spacer post, decreases in thickness to a second thickness as the portion of the drive hub wave end protrudes from the spacer post, and increases in thickness to a third thickness as the portion of the drive hub wave end protrudes from the second thickness to the spacer drive hub flange.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second thickness determines an amount of movement permitted by the drive hub wave end in the axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer post.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the portion of the driven hub wave end has a first thickness in contact with the second end of the spacer post, decreases in thickness to a second thickness as the portion of the driven hub wave end protrudes from the spacer post, and increases in thickness to a third thickness as the portion of the driven hub wave end protrudes from the second thickness to the spacer driven hub flange.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the second thickness determines an amount of movement permitted by the driven hub wave end in the axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer post.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the drive hub wave end flexes relative to the central axis of the spacer column in proportion to a force applied to the drive hub wave end in an axial direction.

15. The system as defined in claim 9, wherein the driven hub wave end is curved in proportion to a force applied to the driven hub wave end in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer post.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the drive hub wave end flexes relative to the central axis of the spacer column in proportion to a force applied to the drive hub wave end in an axial direction, and the driven hub wave end flexes relative to the central axis of the spacer column in proportion to a force applied to the driven hub wave end in an axial direction.

17. A method to attach a spring spacer coupling to a drive shaft and a driven shaft, the method comprising:

attaching a spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer coupling to a drive hub with drive hub bolts, wherein the drive hub is attached to the drive shaft, the spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer is connected to a radially outer edge of a drive hub wave end, the drive hub wave end is connected to a first end of a spacer post, a driven hub wave end is connected to a second end of the spacer post, and a spacer driven hub flange is connected to a radially outer edge of the driven hub wave end, an

Attaching the spacer driven hub flange of the spring spacer coupling to a driven hub with driven hub bolts, wherein the driven hub is attached to the driven shaft;

wherein a portion of the drive hub wave end projects radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through a first wave side and a first flat side, the drive hub wave end is configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to a central axis of the spacer strut, and the drive hub wave end is configured to transmit torque and axial load, and a portion of the driven hub wave end projects radially outward from the second end of the spacer strut through a second wave side and a second flat side, the driven hub wave end is configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer strut, and the driven hub wave end is configured to transmit torque and axial load.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the portion of the drive hub wavy end has a first thickness in contact with the first end of the spacer post, decreases in thickness to a second thickness as the drive hub wavy end protrudes from the spacer post, and increases in thickness to a third thickness as the drive hub wavy end protrudes to the spacer drive hub flange.

19. The method as defined in claim 17, the portion of the driven hub wavy end having a first thickness in contact with the second end of the spacer post, decreasing in thickness to a second thickness as the driven hub wavy end protrudes from the spacer post, and increasing in thickness to a third thickness as the driven hub wavy end protrudes to the spacer driven hub flange.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the drive hub wavy end bends in proportion to a force applied to the drive hub wavy end in an axial direction relative to the central axis of the spacer pillar.

Background

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

The pump may be a device that mechanically moves the fluid or slurry. The pump may be vertical or horizontal based on certain applications. The pump may include a drive motor, a discharge head, a tubing string, and a bowl assembly. The impeller or impellers may be contained in a bowl assembly. The spacer coupling may be axially connected at the drive hub to a drive shaft of the drive and at the driven (pump) hub to a driven shaft connected to the impeller. The spacer coupling can transmit torque and axial loads from the drive shaft to the driven shaft and also allows for simplified maintenance of the pump.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus to couple a drive hub to a driven hub. The device may include a spacer. The spacer column may have a first end, a second end, and a central axis. The device may include a drive hub wavy end connected to the first end of the spacer post. A portion of the drive hub wavy end may project radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through the first wavy side and the first flat side. The drive hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer. The drive hub wave ends may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads. The apparatus may include a spacer drive hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the drive hub wave end. The spacer drive hub flange may be configured to couple with a drive hub. The device may include a driven hub wavy end connected to the second end of the spacer post. A portion of the contoured end of the driven hub may extend radially outward from the second end of the spacer through the second contoured side and the second flat side. The driven hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the spacer post. The driven hub wavy end may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads. The device may include a spacer driven hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the contoured end of the driven hub. The spacer driven hub flange may be configured to couple to the driven hub.

Another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a system for coupling a drive shaft to a driven shaft. The system may include a drive. The system may include a drive shaft. The drive shaft may be rotationally driven by a drive. The system may include a drive hub. The drive hub may be connected to the drive shaft. The system may include a driven hub. The system may include a driven shaft. The driven shaft may be connected to the driven hub. The system may include a spring spacer coupling. The spring spacer coupling may include spacer posts. The spacer column may have a first end, a second end, and a central axis. The spring spacer coupling may include a drive hub wave end connected to a first end of a spacer post. A portion of the drive hub wavy end may project radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through the first wavy side and the first flat side. The drive hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer. The drive hub wave ends may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads. The spring spacer coupling may include a spacer drive hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the drive hub wave end. The spacer drive hub flange may be configured to couple with a drive hub. The spring spacer coupling may include a driven hub wave end connected to the second end of the spacer post. A portion of the contoured end of the driven hub may extend radially outward from the second end of the spacer through the second contoured side and the second flat side. The driven hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the spacer post. The driven hub wavy end may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads. The spring spacer coupling may include a spacer driven hub flange connected to a radially outer edge of the contoured end of the driven hub. The spacer driven hub flange may be configured to couple to the driven hub.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method to attach a spring spacer coupling to a drive shaft and a driven shaft. The method may include attaching a spacer drive hub flange of a spring spacer coupling to a drive hub with drive hub bolts. The drive hub may be attached to the drive shaft. The spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer may be connected to the radially outer edge of the drive hub wave end. The drive hub wave end may be connected to the first end of the spacer. The driven hub wave end may be connected to the second end of the spacer. The spacer driven hub flange may be connected to a radially outer edge of the contoured end of the driven hub. The method may include attaching a driven hub flange of the spring spacer coupling to the driven hub with driven hub bolts. The driven hub may be attached to a driven shaft. A portion of the drive hub wavy end may project radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through the first wavy side and the first flat side. The drive hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer. The drive hub wave ends may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads. A portion of the contoured end of the driven hub may extend radially outward from the second end of the spacer through the second contoured side and the second flat side. The driven hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer. The driven hub wavy end may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a pump with a spring spacer coupling;

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the spring spacer coupling attached to the drive hub and the driven hub;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective view showing the spring spacer coupling attached to the drive hub and the driven hub;

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of an example process for attaching a spring coupling to a drive hub and a driven hub of a pump; the drive hub and driven hub are both arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, like symbols typically identify like components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated herein.

Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating a pump having a spring spacer coupling arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments described herein. The system 100 may include a pump 70. Pump 70 may include drive 10, drive shaft 12, drive hub 16, spring spacer coupling 20, driven shaft 22, driven hub 24, tubing string 40, and bowl assembly 50. The drive 10 may include a motor that may rotate the drive shaft 12 at a specified speed (revolutions per minute). The drive shaft 12 may be attached to a drive hub 16 by means of a peg 14 a. The pegs 14a may be secured in grooves in the drive shaft 12 and the drive hub 16, and the pegs 14a may radially secure the drive hub 16 to the drive shaft 12 such that the drive hub 16 rotates with the drive shaft 12. The split ring 18 may be secured in a groove in the drive shaft 12 and inside the drive hub 16, and the split ring 18 may axially secure the drive hub 16 to the drive shaft 12. The spring spacer coupling 20 may be attached to the drive hub 16 by the drive hub bolts 26 through the spacer drive hub flange 35 and the drive hub flange 28. The spacer 20 is rotatable with the drive hub 16 and the drive shaft 12. Spacer 20 may also be attached to driven hub 24 through spacer driven hub flange 37 and driven hub flange 39 using driven hub bolts 32. The driven hub 24 is rotatable with the spacer 20, the drive hub 16 and the drive shaft 12. The driven hub 24 may be attached to the driven shaft 22 by means of a peg 14b near a first end of the driven shaft 22. The pegs 14b may be secured in grooves in the driven shaft 22 and the driven hub 24, and may axially secure the driven hub 24 to the driven shaft 22 such that the driven shaft 22 rotates with the driven hub 24, the spacer 20, the drive hub 16, and the drive shaft 12. The driven shaft 22 may extend through the tubing string 40 and attach to an impeller 55 within the bowl assembly 50 at a second end of the driven shaft 22. Tubular string 40 and bowl assembly 50 may be connected and may be fixed relative to driven shaft 22. When the driven shaft is rotated, the driven shaft 22 may rotate the impeller 55 within the bowl assembly 50. As described in more detail below, the spring-spacer coupling 20 may transmit torque and axial load from the drive shaft 12 to the driven shaft 22 with a range of axial movement.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing an adjustable rigid spacer coupling attached to a driven hub and a driven hub arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments presented herein. For the sake of brevity, those components of fig. 2 that are labeled identically to the components of fig. 1 will not be described again.

The spring spacer coupling 20 may include a spacer drive hub flange 35, a spacer driven hub flange 37, spacer posts 210, a drive hub wave end 220, and a driven hub wave end 230. The spacer column 210 may be cylindrical and have a first end 202, a second end 205, and a central axis 208. The first end 202 of the spacer strut 210 may be connected to the drive hub wavy end 220. The spacer drive hub flange 35 may be a flat ring and may be attached to the radially outer edge of the drive hub wavy end 220. The second end 205 of the spacer 210 may be connected to the driven wheel hub wavy end 230. Spacer driven hub flange 37 may be a flat ring and may be attached to the radially outer edge of driven hub wavy end 230.

The drive hub bolts 26 may attach the spacer drive hub flange 35 and the drive hub flange 28 and may transfer torque and axial loads from the drive hub 16 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. A drive hub wavy end 220 may be attached to the first end 202 of the spacer post 210, and a portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may project radially outward from the first end 202 of the spacer post 210 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. The portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 that protrudes between the first end 202 of the spacer post 210 and the drive hub flange 35 may have a wavy side 225 toward the spacer post 210 and a flat side 227 opposite the wavy side 225. The thickness of the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may be contoured on the wavy side 225 as the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 protrudes from the spacer post 210 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. The portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may have a thickness 240 in contact with the first end 202 of the spacer post 210. The thickness of the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may be reduced to 245 as the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 protrudes from the spacer post 210. Thickness 240 may be greater than thickness 245. The thickness of the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may increase from 245 to 250 as the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 protrudes from the thickness 245 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. Thickness 250 may be greater than thickness 245. The portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may have a thickness 250 that contacts the spacer drive hub flange 35. The drive hub wavy end 220 is axially bendable and allowed to move in an axial direction relative to the central axis 208 of the spacer post 210. The drive hub wavy end 220 may provide axial flexibility between the spacer drive hub flange 35 and the spacer column 210 relative to the central axis 208 of the spacer column 210. When a force is applied to the drive hub wavy end 220 in an axial direction, the drive hub wavy end 220 may act as a linear spring as defined by Hooke's Law. The drive hub wavy end 220 may bend in proportion to the force applied to the drive hub wavy end 220 in the axial direction. The drive hub wavy end 220 connected to the spacer drive hub flange 35 may transfer torque and axial loads from the spacer drive hub flange 35 to the spacer post 210.

The spacer struts 210 may transfer torque and axial loads from the drive hub wave end 220 to the driven hub wave end 230. The driven hub wavy end 230 may be attached to the second end 205 of the spacer post 210, and a portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 may protrude radially outward from the second end 205 of the spacer post 210 to the spacer driven hub flange 37. The portion 232 of driven hub wavy end 230 that protrudes between second end 205 of spacer post 210 and driven hub flange 37 may have a wavy side 235 toward spacer post 210 and a flat side 237 opposite wavy side 235. The thickness of the portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 may be contoured on the wavy side 235 as the portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 protrudes from the spacer post 210 to the spacer driven hub flange 37. The portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 may have a thickness 260 in contact with the spacer posts 210. The thickness of the portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 may be reduced to 265 as the portion 323 of the driven hub wavy end 230 protrudes from the spacer post 210. Thickness 260 may be greater than thickness 265. The thickness of the portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 may increase from 265 to 270 as the portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 protrudes from the thickness 265 to the spacer driven hub flange 37. Thickness 270 may be greater than thickness 265. Portion 232 of driven hub wavy end 230 may have a thickness 270 that contacts spacer driven hub flange 37. The driven hub wavy end 230 is axially bendable and allowed to move in an axial direction relative to the central axis 208 of the spacer post 210. Driven hub wavy end 230 may provide axial flexibility between spacer post 210 and spacer driven hub flange 37 relative to central axis 208 of spacer post 210. When a force is applied to driven hub wavy end 230 in an axial direction, driven hub wavy end 230 may act as a linear spring as defined by hooke's law. The driven hub wavy end 230 may bend in proportion to the force applied to the driven hub wavy end 230 in the axial direction. The driven hub bolts 32 may attach the spacer driven hub flange 37 and the driven hub flange 39 and may transfer torque and axial loads from the spacer driven hub flange 37 to the driven hub flange 39. The axial flexibility of the drive hub undulating end 220 and the driven hub undulating end 230 may allow for a range of axial movement for the spring-spacer coupling 20 and may allow for the use of misaligned axes to couple the drive shaft and the driven shaft through the spring-spacer coupling 20.

The thickness 245 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may affect the axial flexibility of the drive hub wavy end 220, and the thickness 245 may increase or decrease to increase or decrease the axial flexibility of the drive hub wavy end 220. Thickness 265 of driven hub wavy end 230 may affect the axial flexibility of driven hub wavy end 230, and thickness 265 may be increased or decreased to increase or decrease the axial flexibility of driven hub wavy end 230. The thickness 245 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may be the same or different than the thickness 265 of the driven hub wavy end 230, and the axial flexibility of the drive hub wavy end 220 may be the same or different than the axial flexibility of the driven hub wavy end 230. The flexibility of the spring spacer coupling 20 may be a combination of the flexibility of the drive hub wave end 220 and the driven hub wave end 230.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away perspective side view showing a spring spacer coupling attached to a driven hub and a driven hub arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments presented herein. For the sake of brevity, those components of fig. 3 that are labeled identically to the components of fig. 1-2 will not be described again.

A portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may project radially outward from the first end 202 of the spacer post 210 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. As shown in the cut-away side perspective view, when the drive hub wavy end 220 protrudes from the first end 202 of the spacer post 210 to the spacer drive hub flange 35, a portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may be wavy and curved. The portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may have a thickness 240 in contact with the first end 202 of the spacer post 210. The wavy side 225 of the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may have a curved profile 310 in that the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 decreases from the thickness 240 to the thickness 245 as the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 protrudes from the first end 202 of the spacer post 210. The wavy side 225 of the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may have a curved profile 320 because the thickness of the portion 222 of the drive hub wavy end 220 increases from 245 to 250 as the drive hub wavy end 220 protrudes from the thickness 245 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. Profile 310 may be different from profile 320.

The portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 may be contoured and curved as the portion 232 of the driven hub wavy end 230 protrudes from the second side 205 of the spacer post 210 to the spacer drive hub flange 35. The portion 232 of the drive hub wavy end 220 may have a thickness 240 in contact with the second side 205 of the spacer post 210. The contoured side 235 of the portion 232 of the driven hub contoured end 230 may have a curved profile 330 because the portion 232 of the driven hub contoured end 230 decreases from the thickness 260 to the thickness 265 as the portion 232 of the driven hub contoured end 230 extends from the second side 205 of the spacer post 210. The wavy side 235 of the portion 232 of the wavy end 230 of the driven hub may have a curvilinear profile 340 in that the thickness of the portion 232 of the wavy end 230 of the driven hub increases from 265 to 270 as the portion 232 of the wavy end 230 of the driven hub protrudes from the thickness 265 to the spacer driven hub flange 37. Profile 330 may be different than profile 340.

The apparatus according to the present disclosure may provide a spring spacer coupling that can be bent to account for the axial clearance required by the machine. The apparatus according to the present disclosure may provide a spring spacer coupling that can flex to adjust for misalignment of two connecting shafts, is not limited to limited adjustment increments, and also transmits torque axial loads. The apparatus according to the present disclosure may provide a spring spacer coupling having a greater dynamic range of rotor axial movement under load than conventional spacer couplings.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of an example process for attaching spring couplers to drive and driven hubs of a pump, which are arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments presented herein. The process in the figure may be implemented using, for example, the system 300 discussed above. An example process may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks S2 and/or S4. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, the various blocks may be divided into additional blocks depending on the desired implementation; combined into fewer blocks or excluded from the described blocks.

The process may begin at block S2, "attaching the spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer coupling to the drive hub with the drive hub attached to the drive shaft using the drive hub bolts, the spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer connected to the radially outer edge of the wavy end of the drive hub, the wavy end of the drive hub connected to a first end of the spacer post, the wavy end of the driven hub connected to a second end of the spacer post, and the spacer driven hub flange connected to the radially outer edge of the wavy end of the driven hub. At block S2, the spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer coupling may be attached to the drive hub with drive hub bolts. The drive hub may be attached to the drive shaft. The spacer drive hub flange of the spring spacer may be connected to the radially outer edge of the drive hub wave end. The drive hub wave end may be connected to the first end of the spacer. The driven hub wave end may be connected to the second end of the spacer. The spacer driven hub flange may be connected to a radially outer edge of the contoured end of the driven hub.

Processing may continue from block S2 to block S4, "attaching the spacer driven hub flange of the spring spacer coupling to the driven hub using the driven hub bolts, wherein the driven hub is attached to the driven shaft with a portion of the drive hub undulating end projecting radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through a first undulating side and a first flat side, the drive hub undulating end configured to permit movement in an axial direction relative to a central axis of the spacer strut, and the drive hub wavy end is configured to transmit torque and axial load, and the driven hub wavy end has a portion that projects radially outward from the second end of the spacer strut through the second wavy side and the second flat side, the driven hub wavy end is configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer strut, and the driven hub wavy end is configured to transmit torque and axial load ". At block S4, the spacer driven hub flange of the spring spacer coupling may be attached to the driven hub using driven hub bolts. The driven wheel hub may be attached to the driven shaft. A portion of the drive hub wavy end may project radially outward from the first end of the spacer strut through the first wavy side and the first flat side. The drive hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer. The drive hub wave ends may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads. A portion of the contoured end of the driven hub may extend radially outward from the second end of the spacer through the second contoured side and the second flat side. The driven hub wave end may be configured to allow movement in an axial direction relative to the center axis of the spacer. The driven hub wavy end may be configured to transmit torque and axial loads.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.