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Bibby Turboflex High-Performance Couplings for Aeroderivative Gas Turbine
The IHI Group, one of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies in Japan, specializes in
large-scale power and construction projects. One aspect of its business is the use of aeroderivative
gas turbines for power generation in landbased, combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants.
Two crucial components within a CCGT installation are the coupling that connects the gas turbine
rotor to a speed reducing gearbox and the coupling that connect the gearbox to a generator.
Using the General Electric LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine with power up to 50MW rotating at
3,600 rpm the high speed coupling which is typically around 3.5 metres long, connects the turbine
to the gearbox reducing the speed to 1,500 rpm. The reduction in speed equates to an increase in
torque, meaning the low-speed coupling must be built to transmit high levels of torque produced.
The low speed coupling whilst transmitting the high level or torque of the gearbox to the generator
also acts as a safety device with the use of a set of shear pins that provides a simple, effective and
precise method of disconnecting the drive system protecting both the turbine and the gearbox in the
event of an overload situation.
IHI works closely with Bibby Turboflex to develop high-performance couplings to suit each individual
application that have to be designed and manufactured in approximately 14 weeks to meet installation
schedules.
Bibby Turboflex high-performance couplings are designed in accordance with API 671 and offer
traceability for all components.
Highlights
- High-performance
3.5 meter long high-speed
coupling
- High-performance lowspeed
coupling
- Aviation grade S5.99
stainless steel, traceable
laser-etched bolts
- Interlocking element and
spacer end flanges reduce
overhung mass on high-speed
coupling
- Shear pin overload
protection device installed
on low-speed coupling
- Both couplings are
API 671 compliant