Nested disc pack coupling

1. A disc pack coupling for transmitting torque between two shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis, said coupling comprising:

a first hub assembly including a first end adapter adjacent to a first hub flange;

a center member having first and second opposing ends, said first end being fixed to said first end adapter; and

a first disc pack encircling said center member and resiliently coupling said first end adapter and said first hub flange,

wherein one of said hub flange and said end adapter is sandwiched between said first disc pack and the other of said hub flange and said end adapter; wherein one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange is received in a cavity formed in the other of said first end adapter and said first hub flange; wherein said one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange received in said cavity includes a non-circular perimeter engageable with said cavity to maintain torque transmission upon failure of said first disc pack.

2. The coupling as in claim 1 , including a second hub assembly including a second end adapter loosely coupled with a second hub flange, said second end of said center member being fixed to said second end adapter, and a second disc pack encircling said center member and resiliently coupling said second end adapter and said second hub flange.

3. The coupling as in claim 1 , in which said first hub flange is fixed to a hub body.

4. The coupling as in claim 1 , in which said one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange is nested in the other of said first end adapter and said first hub flange.

5. The coupling as in claim 1 , in which said first end of said center element is fixed to said first end adapter using a procedure selected from a group consisting of mechanical fastening using mechanical fasteners, welding, and casting.

6. The coupling as in claim 1 , in which said first disc pack is spaced from said hub flange by a first washer and from said end adapter by a second washer; wherein the first and second washer have different thicknesses.

7. A disc pack coupling for transmitting torque between two shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis, said coupling comprising:

a first hub assembly including a first end adapter adjacent to a first hub flange;

a center member having first and second opposing ends, said first end being fixed to said first end adapter; and

a first disc pack resiliently coupling said first end adapter and said first hub flange, wherein one of said hub flange and said end adapter is sandwiched between said first disc pack and the other of said hub flange and said end adapter, and said first disc pack being spaced from said hub flange by a first washer and from said end adapter by a second washer;

wherein the first and second washers have different thicknesses; wherein one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange is received in a cavity formed in the other of said first end adapter and said first hub flange: wherein said one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange received in said cavity includes a non-circular perimeter engageable with said cavity to maintain torque transmission upon failure of said disc pack.

8. The coupling as in claim 7 , including a second hub assembly including a second end adapter loosely coupled with a second hub flange, said second end of said center member being fixed to said second end adapter, and a second disc pack encircling said center member and resiliently coupling said second end adapter and said second hub flange.

9. The coupling as in claim 7 , in which said first hub flange is fixed to a hub body.

10. The coupling as in claim 7 , in which said one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange is nested in the other of said first end adapter and said first hub flange.

11. The coupling as in claim 7 , in which said first end of said center element is fixed to said first end adapter using a procedure selected from a group consisting of mechanical fastening using mechanical fasteners, welding, and casting.

12. The coupling as in claim 7 , in which one of said hub flange and said end adapter is sandwiched between said first disc pack and the other of said hub flange and said end adapter.

13. The coupling as in claim 7 , in which said disc pack includes an axially outwardly facing face and an axially inwardly facing face, and said first end adapter and said first hub flange are disposed adjacent said outwardly facing face.

14. The coupling as in claim 7 , in which said disc pack encircles said center member.

15. A disc pack coupling for transmitting torque between two shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis, said coupling comprising:

a first hub assembly including a first end adapter adjacent to a first hub flange, one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange being received in a cavity formed in the other of said first end adapter and said first hub flange;

a center member having first and second opposing ends, said first end being fixed to said first end adapter; and

a first disc pack resiliently coupling said first end adapter and said first hub flange, wherein one of said hub flange and said end adapter is sandwiched between said first disc pack and the other of said hub flange and said end adapter, and said first disc pack being spaced from said hub flange and said end adapter by at least one first washer having a thickness and interposed between said first disc pack and one of said hub flange and said end adapter;

wherein at least one of said first end adapter and said first hub flange has a non-circular perimeter substantially coaxial with the shaft axis and engageable with said cavity.

16. The coupling as in claim 15 , in which said non-circular perimeter engages said cavity to maintain torque transmission upon failure of said disc pack.

17. The coupling as in claim 15 , in which at least one second washer having a thickness different from said thickness of said first washer is interposed between said first disc pack and the other of said hub flange and said end adapter.

18. The coupling as in claim 15 , in which said disc pack encircles said center member.