Liquid within industrial parts seems like a very good idea for one major reason; lubrication. A part that is well lubricated deteriorates at a much slower rate then a part that is not lubricated, which means whoever purchased that part is getting more use out of it for the same amount of money. Since being efficient with funds and parts of a machine is at the top of any industrial company’s priority list, parts like fluid couplings, that have liquid within, are a good investment.

When talking about fluid couplings specifically, the lubrication is just an added benefit. In fact, these shaft couplings utilize the liquid within them to convert energy from one part of a machine to another. They are called couplings because they connect one shaft to another, which is usually connecting the power from a transmission to the part of a machine or vehicle that moves. This type of energy can be difficult to control, which is why the proficiency of fluid couplings is so important to industries that utilize them. This includes the automotive, mining, marine, railroad, metal and plastic fabricating, machining, manufacturing and aerospace industries. Each of these needs the energy conversion capabilities of fluid couplings, as well as the misalignment fixing capabilities.

A fluid coupling is set up much like other flexible shaft couplings, with an impeller, rotor and radial vanes, all of which is contained within a metallic housing piece. The impeller and rotor are both filled with liquid, usually oil, and it is through these liquids that the energy travels and is controlled. Often the parts of a fluid coupling are made from a strong but light-weight metallic substance like aluminum or stainless steel. This is because such metals are corrosion and chemical resistant and therefore able to last a long time, and also have high strength to weight ratios. Having a core strength is vital for a fluid coupling because they are working in such intense environments and often have to deal with pressure without buckling.