Which device compensates for misalignment in pumps?

The flexible coupling is designed to accommodate misalignment between pump shafts and their driving motors or other equipment. When installations are not perfectly aligned due to manufacturing tolerances, thermal expansion, or slight shifts in position over time, this can lead to excessive wear on the equipment or even mechanical failure.

By using a flexible coupling, these misalignments can be absorbed without transferring stress to the components involved. This type of coupling allows for angular, parallel, and axial misalignments to be handled effectively, thus ensuring smoother operation and extending the lifespan of both the pump and the motor.

In contrast, fixed couplings and rigid couplings do not allow for any misalignment. They tightly connect the two shafts, which can lead to issues if there is any misalignment, potentially causing vibration, increased wear, or even catastrophic failure. Polymer couplings, while they may have some flexibility due to the material, typically do not provide the same level of compensatory features as flexible couplings do for misalignment in traditional pump applications.