OREANDA-NEWS. Power management company Eaton today announced a new Airflex® Torque Limiting Coupling, which increases torque by 25 percent and provides an automatic slip detection system to help decrease maintenance costs and downtime during operation. Designed to withstand high torque spikes found in grinding mills and heavy duty variable frequency drive applications, the Airflex Torque Limiting Coupling utilizes automatic reset and re-engage and automatic wear compensation to help safeguard expensive driveline components.

The new coupling features adjustable slip detection control, which automatically disengages the torque limiting coupling if slip is detected between the motor and the pinion. The required overload torque can be easily set and adjusted by varying the applied air pressure. Re-applying the predetermined air pressure quickly and automatically resets the coupling.

“As grinding mill drivelines are migrating from clutch-based drivelines to variable frequency drive (VFD) systems, Eaton’s new generation of Torque Limiting Couplings are answering the call to protect equipment from damage during unexpected torque overloads,” said Mike Williams, product line manager, Eaton. “The advanced Airflex Torque Limiting Coupling solution is designed to reset and restart nearly instantaneously, striving to achieve maximum uptime for mill operations.”

The torque settings of the Airflex Torque Limiting Coupling remain constant throughout the service life, requiring no periodic adjustments, lubrication, calibration or other preventative maintenance.

Eaton’s Airflex Torque Limiting Couplings are available in a wide range of sizes, from 51 to 76 inches, with a torque range capacity of 2.5 million inch-pounds (mil in.-lbs.) to 12.1 mil in.-lbs. on grinding mill applications of 4,000 horsepower and above.