Introduction

For industrial machinery, the risk of mechanical overload poses a constant threat to critical drive components. Mechanical overload occurs when rotating components experience torques beyond their designed capacity, leading to potential fractures or failures. This is where Torque Limiters come into play, acting as indispensable safeguards against such risks.

How Torque Limiters Work

Torque Limiters are crucial in ensuring that torque-based forces never exceed the predetermined threshold. By restricting torque forces to levels safely manageable by rotational components, these devices effectively diminish the risk of mechanical overload and associated failures. They have the flexibility to operate independently or in collaboration with electronic sensors.

In typical operation, where no torque overload is present, the Torque Limiter facilitates the transmission of torque from the driven shaft to the driven member (e.g., sprocket, gear, pulley) through friction disks. Compressed against the face of the driven member by a disk spring, these disks generate sufficient frictional force to transfer torque from the shaft to the member. The manual adjustability of the Torque Limiter's spring force is achieved through an adjusting nut.

In the event of a torque overload, surpassing the preset torque limit, the transmitted torque exceeds the capacity of the Torque Limiter. Consequently, the frictional force becomes inadequate to transfer torque from the driving shaft to the driven member, causing the driven member to slip between the friction disks. Upon the resolution of the torque overload, the Torque Limiter automatically resets, ready to resume the transmission of torque.

Applications of Torque Limiters

The versatility of Torque Limiters makes them applicable to various industries with rotating components. Common sectors benefiting from Torque Limiters include general machining and manufacturing, packaging and assembly services, printing and converting industries, textile manufacturing, and forest products.

Specific applications include

Conveyors: Torque Limiters protect critical components by disconnecting the driving motor from the conveyor in the event of a jam, preventing excess torque transmission.

Gearboxes: Acting as an additional safety mechanism, Torque Limiters prevent excess torque from reaching vulnerable components within the driven system.

Generators: Torque Limiters are crucial in preventing damage caused by sporadic moments of excess torque during power outages.

Motors: Torque limiters disengage the motor shaft from the driven system when excessive torque is generated, ensuring the machinery remains within safe operational limits.

Conclusion

Incorporating Torque Limiters into machinery setups provides a proactive approach to preventing mechanical overload, safeguarding critical components, and reducing the risk of costly repairs or replacements and possible downtime. Their adaptability across various industries underscores their significance in enhancing machinery safety and reliability.

HVH Industrial Solutions is an authorized distributor of Brunel and many other torque limiter manufacturers. We work closely with their engineering team to provide superior customer service and engineering support. 

If you have any questions, write to us via live chat or call or send us a quote request. The HVH team is always ready to help you.