The Role of Cardan Shafts in Marine and Offshore Industries

In the demanding environments of marine and offshore industries, the reliability and efficiency of equipment are paramount. One critical component that plays a vital role in these sectors is the Cardan shaft, also known as a universal joint shaft. This versatile mechanical device is essential for transmitting torque and rotational motion between two points, even when misalignment is present. We have explained about the Cardan Shaft: From Basics to Comprehensive in our previous blogpost. Inthis blog post, we explore the significance of Cardan shafts in marine and offshore applications, highlighting their functions, benefits, and the importance of proper maintenance.

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What is a Cardan Shaft?

A Cardan shaft consists of a series of universal joints, couplings, and connecting shafts that enable it to transmit power between components that are not perfectly aligned. This flexibility is crucial in applications where the angle or distance between the power source and the driven component can change, such as in marine and offshore environments.

Key Functions in Marine and Offshore Applications

Power Transmission:

In marine vessels, Cardan shafts are often used to transmit power from the engine to the propeller. They are capable of handling the torque generated by large engines and ensuring smooth and efficient propulsion, even under challenging conditions like rough seas.

Accommodating Misalignment:

Ships and offshore platforms are subject to constant motion and vibrations, which can cause misalignment between the power source and the driven machinery. Cardan shafts can accommodate these misalignments, preventing undue stress on components and reducing the risk of mechanical failure.

Vibration Damping:

Vibration is a common issue in marine and offshore settings, caused by engines, waves, and other operational factors. Cardan shafts can help dampen these vibrations, protecting sensitive equipment and improving overall system stability.

Flexibility in Design:

The modular nature of Cardan shafts allows for custom configurations, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, from small boats to large offshore platforms. This flexibility is invaluable in meeting the unique requirements of each project.

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Benefits of Cardan Shafts in Marine and Offshore Industries

Durability and Reliability:

Cardan shafts are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including exposure to saltwater, high humidity, and extreme temperatures. Their robust construction ensures long-term reliability, which is crucial for the safety and efficiency of marine and offshore operations. Most of the cases service life of the shafts will be same as the life of the vessel.

Maintenance and Repairability:

Properly maintained Cardan shafts can have a long service life. Regular inspection and maintenance, such as checking for wear and lubrication, can prevent costly downtime and extend the lifespan of the shaft. Additionally, their modular design makes repairs and replacements straightforward, minimizing operational interruptions.

Cost-Effectiveness:

By ensuring efficient power transmission and reducing wear on other components, Cardan shafts contribute to lower operational costs. They help maintain optimal performance levels, reducing fuel consumption and minimizing the need for frequent repairs.

Bottom Line Cardan shafts are indispensable components in the marine and offshore industries, providing the necessary flexibility, durability, and reliability required in these challenging environments. Whether used in power transmission for ship propulsion or to accommodate misalignment in offshore equipment, their role is critical in ensuring smooth and efficient operations. As technology advances, the design and materials of Cardan shafts continue to evolve, offering even greater performance and longevity. For those in the marine and offshore sectors, understanding and properly maintaining Cardan shafts can lead to improved efficiency, safety, and cost savings. METAL Mobility Group is leader in drive technologies and driveshafts, their expert teams are well experienced to offer complete solution for any drivetrain part including Cardan Shafts.

Drawing courtesy: Elbe Cardan

The Cardan Shaft Coupling is a high-performance coupling with numerous advantages, making it particularly suitable for mechanical systems that require large-angle compensation, high load capacity, efficient transmission, and smooth operation.

The main features of the Cardan Shaft Coupling include:

• Large-Angle Compensation Capability: The Cardan Shaft Coupling offers significant angular compensation, with a shaft deflection angle of 15-25 degrees. This makes it highly applicable in mechanical transmission systems requiring substantial angle adjustments.
• Compact and Rational Structure: The integrated fork design enhances load reliability while ensuring a compact structure, making it ideal for installations in confined spaces.
• High Load Capacity: Compared to other types of couplings with the same rotation diameter, the SWC universal coupling can transmit greater torque, especially suitable for equipment with restricted rotation diameters.
• High Transmission Efficiency: With a transmission efficiency of 98-99.8%, it is well-suited for high-power transmission scenarios, offering significant energy-saving benefits.
• Smooth Operation: The coupling provides stable load transmission, low noise, and easy assembly and maintenance, which improves the overall quality and longevity of the equipment.

When installing and using the Cardan Shaft Coupling, consider the following points:

• Ensure the consistency of universal shaft performance and avoid changing the universal shaft status arbitrarily.
• Take appropriate protective measures to ensure safety.
• During installation, align the flange fork position carefully, avoiding unintentional movement or replacement of the spline.
• For telescopic universal shafts, securely fix the flange of the connected component to the universal shaft.
• If the Cardan Shaft Coupling has been stored for over six months, re-lubricate it before use.

In summary, due to its exceptional performance and reliability, the Cardan Shaft Coupling plays a crucial role in various industrial applications, especially in situations requiring large-angle compensation, high torque transmission, and high-efficiency power transfer.

SWC-type Cross Shaft Universal Coupling basic parameters and main dimensions

Type Rotation diameter
D
(mm) Nominal torque
Tn
(KN.m) Fatigue torque
Tf
(KN.m) Axis angle
β
（°） Scalable capacity
Ls
（mm） Size （mm） Moment of Inertia
(kg/m²) Weight
（kg） Lmin D1(js11) D2
(H7) D3 Lm n×∅d k t b
（h9） g Lmin Increase
100mm Lmin Increase
100mm SWC100BH 100 2.5 1.25 ≤25 55 405 84 57 60 55 6×∅9 7 2.5 / / 0.004 0. 6.1 0.35 SWC120BH 120 5 2.5 ≤25 80 485 102 75 70 65 8×∅11 8 2.5 / / 0.001 0. 10.8 0.55 SWC150BH 150 10 5 ≤25 80 590 130 90 89 80 8×∅13 10 3 / / 0.042 0. 24.5 0.85 SWC180BH 180 22.4 11.2 ≤15 100 840 155 105 114 110 8×∅17 17 5 24 7 0.175 0.007 70 2.8 SWC200BH 200 36 18 ≤15 110 860 170 120 133 115 8×∅17 17 5 28 8 0.314 0.013 98 3.7 SWC225BH 225 56 28 ≤15 140 920 196 135 152 120 8×∅17 20 5 32 9 0.538 0.023 122 4.9 SWC250BH 250 80 40 ≤15 140 218 150 168 140 8×∅19 25 6 40 12.5 0.966 0.028 172 5.3 SWC280BH 285 120 58 ≤15 140 245 170 194 160 8×∅21 27 7 40 15 2.011 0.051 263 6.3 SWC315BH 315 160 80 ≤15 140 280 185 219 180 10×∅23 32 8 40 15 3.605 0.008 382 8 SWC350BH 350 225 110 ≤15 150 310 210 245 194 10×∅23 35 8 50 16 5.316 0.146 532 11.5 SWC390BH 390 320 160 ≤15 170 345 235 267 215 10×∅25 40 8 70 18 12.16 0.222 738 15 SWC440BH 440 500 250 ≤15 190 390 255 325 260 16×∅28 42 10 80 20 21.42 0.474 21.7 SWC490BH 490 700 350 ≤15 190 435 275 351 270 16×∅31 47 12 90 22.5 34.1 0.69 27.3 SWC550BH 550 500 ≤15 240 492 320 426 305 16×∅31 50 12 100 22.5 68.92 1.357 34

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