Thesis (M.S.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Mechanical Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering) / This dissertation evaluates the suitability of the finite element method as a tool for the design and analysis of elastomeric materials in general and flexible shaft couplings in particular. The theoretical background covers numerous aspects that are essential to the comprehension of the functioning of elastomeric materials and the difficulties inherent to the numerical modelling of such materials. These aspects include the properties of rubber, the functioning and selection of flexible couplings and some details regarding linear -, non-linear - 'and dynamic finite element analysis. The problems investigated for the purposes of this study may be divided into three categories: • The capabilities of the finite element method to compare different variations of a flexible coupling design parametrically is investigated. • Uni-axial tensile - and compressive material tests are numerically simulated to assess the ability of the finite element method to predict the response of materials subjected to large-scale nonlinear deformation. The numerical results are also verified by means of physical material tests. • Based on the modelling methods that were optimized in the first two categories, a numerical model of a flexible coupling in start up mode is developed. The accuracy of predictions is evaluated by comparison with physically measured results.

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit dem Betriebsverhalten und den Auslegungsrichtlinien für ein hochtemperaturfähiges Übertragungselement aus Stahl für elastischen Klauenkupplungen. Im Grundlagenkapitel wurden hierfür zunächst aus den Eigenschaften und Auslegungsvorschriften handelsüblicher Klauenkupplungen wichtige Kenngrößen und Kennwerte bestimmt und relevante Aspekte der Tribologie und der Federtechnologie beleuchtet. Mittels FEM wird die Spannungsverteilung und das Verformungsverhalten des Übertragungselements bei Drehmomentbelastung untersucht und anhand einer Parameterstudie der Einfluss verschiedener Konstruktionsparameter analysiert. Zusätzlich werden Berechnungen und Simulationen zur Dämpfung und zur Betriebsfestigkeit durchgeführt. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse wurden anschließend durch experimentelle Untersuchungen mit statischer und dynamischer Belastung sowie durch Lebensdauerversuche und Betriebslastenversuche verifiziert und ergänzt. Hierbei wurden zu Vergleichszwecken auch handelsübliche Übertragungselemente aus TPE untersucht. Auf Basis der Untersuchungsergebnisse wurden anschließend Richtlinien für die Auslegung und den Betrieb des Übertragungselements abgeleitet. / The present work deals with the operating behaviour and the selection guidelines for a new high-temperature steel transmission element for elastic jaw couplings. In the state oft the art chapter, important parameters and characteristic values were first determined from the properties and selection specifications of commercially available claw couplings and relevant aspects of tribology and spring technology were highlighted. FEM is used to investigate the stress distribution and the deformation behaviour of the transmission element under torque loading and to analyse the influence of various design parameters. In addition, calculations and simulations for damping and fatigue strength are carried out. The knowledge gained was then verified and supplemented by experimental investigations with static and dynamic loads as well as by service life tests and operating load tests. For comparison purposes, commercially available transmission elements made of TPE were also investigated. Based on the test results, guidelines were then derived for the selection and operation of the new transmission element.