Couplers are extremely useful components in many industries. They are used to connect the ends of two shafts together in order to transmit power. Positive couplers can assist in transmitting rotary power from one shaft to another, where both shafts turn. The use of couplers permits some degree of misalignment or end movement.
There are many categories of shaft couplers and each of the different types have specific applications.
Rigid couplers. When there are requirements for the precise shaft alignment, the rigid coupler is used. There are also variations of this coupler such as the flange coupler and the muff coupler.
Torque limiting couplers. Can protect systems against conditions of over torque.
Flexible couplers. One function of this coupler is connection of a driving shaft or flange element with an adjacent in-line driven member. It must flex enough while rotating to accommodate, within limits, undesirable effects caused by axial misalignment, shaft end movement, and vibration between connected members. This kind of coupler can also be further divided into many other types (universal coupler, bellows coupler, disc coupler, jaw coupler, and gear coupler.