Fracture and reliability of shafts of powerful piston compressors

1. A decisive factor in the process of fatigue-crack formation in an assembly is the stress concentration caused by the negative allowance. 2. Fatigue cracks appear in the surface layers of the shaft in sections situated 225–290 mm from the end face of the overhang, either on the side of the crankpin or on the side of the counterweight. 3. The growth rate of the cracks at the initial instance of their preparation is such that the shaft with an arterial crack may continue operating for a long time. 4. Changing the compressor operation from 125 to 150 rpm of the shaft considerably reduces the reliability of the joint. 5. To increase the reliability of the assembly, it is necessary to provide for more uniform distribution of the contact pressure in the assembly by taking the following measures: