Apart from transmitting the torque the demand on a torsionally flexible cardan shaft connecting coupling is higher torsional flexibility to ensure that the main critical speed of the machine can be shifted far below the idle-running speed.

BoWex-ELASTIC® type HEG has a maintenancefree plain bearing to absorb the radial loads produced by the cardan shaft. Moreover, the coupling includes a friction disk which is prestressed axially by means of the elastomer part. The elastomer part is produced from natural rubber during a vulcanizing process.

Due to the permanent friction the coupling has excellent damping properties, reducing the high alternating loads arising in the coupling considerably when starting and passing through the resonance.

In addition the BoWex-ELASTIC® HEG shall have good damping properties in the resonant range, i. e. when passing through the resonance, in order to keep the high coupling loads that arise as low as possible.

The elastomer part and the friction disk in the coupling operate in parallel with each other. The friction disk reduces torque peaks at a high extent, i. e. converting into heat. The heat generated is dissipated through the metallic components. As a consequence a heat accumulation in the elastomer part produced during the frequent starting of the diesel engine and the resulting high load on the coupling is avoided. In this way the expected lifetime of the coupling is extended considerably.

Couplings type BoWex-ELASTIC® HEG are supplied as an assembled, pre-set unit. After the coupling has been mounted to the flywheel, the
cardan shaft can be assembled.