Renold Hi-Tec’s HTB range of blind assembly rubber-in-compression couplings is designed for use within the bell housings of diesel engines where ambient temperatures are likely to be high. The couplings are designed to operate at temperatures of up to 200ºC and are easy to assemble with one half simply plugging into the other without the need for fasteners, hence the term ‘blind assembly’. The couplings offer severe shock load protection, are intrinsically fail safe, maintenance free and offer excellent noise attenuation characteristics. They are typically well suited to applications in marine propulsion, rail traction and on generator and pumping sets.
Rubber-in-compression couplings are designed with two round metal sections fitting one inside the other with what looks like the paddles of a paddle steamer projecting inwards from the outer section and outwards from the inner. The rubber blocks are placed in the spaces in-between the paddles, and, as the outer section is turned by the engine, it drives the inner section through the rubber blocks. As this happens the rubber is compressed, and hence the term rubber-in-compression. Even if the rubber blocks were in some way damaged the strong metal paddles would come together to provide the drive. This is particularly important in marine applications where total loss of propulsion would occur if the coupling in the driveline failed.