Cornell University Library Digital Collections
Oldham’s Coupling
- Title:
- Oldham’s Coupling
- Title (German):
- Kreuzkupplung von Oldham
- Collection:
- Reuleaux Kinematic Mechanisms Collection
- Set:
- Z. Coupling Mechanisms
- Designer:
- Reuleaux, F. (Franz), 1829-1905
- Manufacturer:
- Gustav Voigt Werkstatt
- Date:
- 1882
- Country:
- Germany
- Voigt Catalog Model:
- Z5
- File Name:
- Z05.jpg
- Work Type:
- Mechanical model
- Materials/Techniques:
- cast iron and brass on wood pedestal
- Subject:
- Kinematics of Machinery
- Measurement:
- 352 x 216 (millimeters, width x depth)
388 x 216 x 208 (millimeters, width x depth x height)
- Description:
- The Oldham Coupling is used to transfer rotary motion from one shaft to another parallel, but not collinear shaft. This mechanism is essentially a double slider-crank kinematic chain in which the crank link is grounded as in the Voigt model D-9. In this inversion, the coupling link with two prismatic guides at 90 degrees is the cross-block in D-9. Unlike the universal joint (Model P-1), Oldham’s coupling transmits uniform rotational motion from input to output shaft without angular acceleration. [Francis Moon, 2004-07-00]
The 220 models in Cornell University’s Reuleaux Collection were built in the late 19th century to demonstrate the elements of machine motion, as theorized by the German engineer Franz Reuleaux. The University acquired the models in 1882 for use in teaching and research. The Reuleaux models are classified according to the alphanumeric schema employed in the catalog of the manufacturer, Gustav Voigt. The letter in a model's ID (e.g., B14 or S35) refers to a class of mechanism; the number is a specific instance of the class. This classification scheme is a simplified version of the taxonomy of machine elements elaborated in Reuleaux's work.
- Repository:
- Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- Photography credit: Jon Reis (www.jonreis.com). Jon Reis Photography grants Cornell University Libraries and the Cornell College of Engineering the rights to display copyrighted images of the Reuleux collection of kinetic machines on the Cornell University and National Science Digital Library web sites and for unlimited use in Cornell University Library publications for education purposes only. Rights for all other uses, including but not limited to, editorial, commercial, advertising, web use and display by third parties not affiliated with Cornell University are reserved by the photographer. The written permission of any copyright and other rights holders is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use that extends beyond what is authorized by fair use and other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. For questions about this item or other items please contact the Physical Sciences Librarians at pslref@cornell.edu.
