Flexible bearings for the propeller shaft vibration damper joint

R&D Marine Flexible Mounts – An Effective Solution for Vibration Damping

R&D Marine flexible couplings are designed to improve the reliability of a boat’s power transmission system, reduce the transfer of vibration and noise to the hull, and protect the transmission and drive shaft from load spikes.
The result of more than 50 years of development, this product family offers a reliable and cost-effective solution for recreational boats, workboats, and commercial maritime applications alike.

Dampens vibration and protects the drivetrain

The flexible coupling is installed between the gearbox output flange and the propeller shaft flange. Its purpose is to dampen vibrations caused by the engine and the drivetrain and to compensate for minor misalignments in the shaft line. This reduces stress on the drivetrain, lowers noise levels, and improves ride comfort, especially at low RPMs.

R&D Marine -flexible couplings also help protect the drivetrain from propeller impacts, load spikes caused by gear shifts, and momentary misalignments resulting from hull flex.

Durable polyester elastomer construction

The flexible element is made of a high-strength polyester elastomer that retains its mechanical properties under demanding marine conditions. The material is resistant to saltwater, diesel fuel, and lubricating oils without any loss of performance. This ensures a long service life and reliable operation even under continuous professional use.

The contoured flexible plate allows for free flexing and compensates for minor misalignments caused by the movement of the engine’s rubber mounts or chassis flex without placing harmful loads on the drivetrain.

Fail-Safe Safety Mechanism

A key feature of R&D Marine’s 910 Series flexible couplings is their fail-safe design. If the flexible element were to be damaged in an exceptional situation, the integrated steel reinforcements maintain the power transmission connection while traveling both forward and backward. This ensures that the boat retains its maneuverability and operational capability even in the event of a failure.

Easy to install without any machining

The flexible coupling is installed directly between the existing shaft flange and the gearbox output flange. The coupling is always selected based on the gearbox flange mounting and shaft power ratings.
Checking the alignment using the red alignment bolt on the flange allows for quick and accurate monitoring of the axle alignment, even during maintenance.

Suitable for a wide power range

R&D Marine manufactures flexible couplings for engines in the 5–1,500 horsepower range. The product line includes options for most common transmission brands and coupling standards.

Key benefits

• Reduces engine noise and vibration
• Protects the transmission, drivetrain, and bearings from impact loads
• Compensates for minor alignment errors
• Resistant to saltwater, diesel, and lubricating oils
• The Fail-Safe design ensures operational reliability
• Available for a wide range of engines and transmissions
• Quick to install and easy to maintain