Misalignment loads in splined gear couplings

Coupling misalignment results in redistributing the spline teeth load which increases the maximum tooth contact and bending stresses. The uneven tooth loads also generate tilting and friction moments that have to be transferred through the shafts to the bearings. These additional loads could significantly reduce the bearing lives if not accounted for in the bearing design. In this study, a method is presented to calculate the spline tooth load distribution, misalignment moments and the bearing reactions.