I have this client who has a Lovejoy coupling on a compressor and a Falk coupling on the output of the gearbox which is driving this compressor. If the grid matches each coupling half and mates up correctly, there should not be a problem, say of the gearbox overheating or any other problems, should it?

Bottom line I guess is, does anyone know of any problems that will arise from mating a Lovejoy and a Falk grid type coupling of the same size?

1.) gotta be a paper plant
2.) Are you saying a drop-out spool with a falk grid-type on one end and a Lovejoy on the other end of the spool?

What is the distance?

This should be a problem in my opinion. But, please clear up exactly what we're looking at; thanks.

Ralph,

I guess you are talking about two halves of a grid type coupling.

The only problems I could imagine would be if the splines on the hub are not tapered exactly the same. A falk grid has a slight taper in thickness from od to id and is shot peened to stress relieve the bends. If the taper on the Lovejoy splines doesn't match, you could have a concentrated load on the grid and I guess that could present some kind of problem.

My guess would be that Falks patent has expired and that they are fully interchangeable. You can probably check with Lovejoy to confirm that it is indeed an exact match.

Danny

You could also have problems with the cover seals if the hub diameters and face widths are not the same.

No Drop_out, just grid hubs on the compressor and gearbox.

It is in a refinery not a paper plant.

Here is a picture of one half, do not have a picture of the other half yet.

Ralph, probably a look-a-like replacement. Just with V-belts, once a wrong one is placed, always wrong. The mechanic always takes off the last one and starts going to the stores...

These parts are higly precision work, did not hear of a takeover of Lovejoy by Falk

I have done a lot of falk grid coupling replacements on 2 pole motor driven equipment. These were done to eliminate vibration issues. I usually go with Rexnord Omega as an inexpensive replacement. The Falk is not what I would consider a good high speed coupling because the shroud has a loose fit to the hubs and can go eccentric and create imbalance. By the way, the vibration has improved considerably on these units since the coupling change-out.

We've had a lot of problems with Rexnord Omega (orange) couplings in 2-pole applications and a lot of others on this board have as well (Rusty and at least one other). For one thing they tend not to be well-balanced when new. Also they deteriorate over time and need periodic replacement.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: electricpete,

I'm with Pete: I dislike the Rex Omega as well. The design concept is poor (one half can fly off) and they require PM replacement and re-adjustment after a couple of weeks of service.

But Ralph I will - never mismatch coupling halfs. I'm like Danny regarding load and problems you'll probably encounter. Sorry I'm of no more help.