IE84485B1 - Coupling assembly and method for connecting and disconnecting a shaft assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A coupling assembly that can be used to quickly connect and disconnect an impeller shaft to and from a drive output shaft. A portion of the coupling assembly can be used to secure the impeller shaft inside the mixing vessel when the drive is disconnected. 'Meawmmg%wmMymmafimumdawumdammmgmfigdnmgmmofbdmg pens that extend from the first coupling half and can pass through openings formed in the second coupling half, and second group of locking pins that extend from the first coupling half and can pass through openings formed in the top region of the mixing vessel.

Description

COUPLING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING A SIIAFI‘ ASSEMBLY

[0001] The pumout invention relates gmicrally to the fluid of conpljngx, for example, couplings that connect an impeller shaft to a drive output shaft More panicularly, the present invenduu Ielatcs to couplings that am he used to quickly mnnoct and dxsconnect an in upcllcr shaft to and frolna drive output shaft. am_t rmmm o

[0002] Mixing devices am in wide use in industry. and many mixing devices include 9 large mixing vessel which contains a liquid to be mixed, and a typically vt'.ttical impclla shaft running down some or all of the vertical langth inside. the mixing vessel. The impr.-ll:-.n shaft is typically Ntatably driven by a mutm output shaft, usually located at the top of the mixing vessel, and at one or several locations on the length of the impeller shaft radially extending impcllcm are mounted which have paddles or blade type featutes slung some or all of the lcngdl and which nah: and/or otherwise impart energy to tbc fluid Inside the mixing vessel.

[0003] In some instances, a drivc assembly along with some Sealing arrangemcnture mounted at atop upcuingofthc mimng vessel. Oftcn Iimcs. the bottom end of the drive output shaft and the top end of the impeller shaft axcoach filtad with 3 coupling half. and the two coupling lmlves are bolted dimectly together in order It: suspend the impeller shaft from the drive so that it extends vertically downward into the mixing vessel. lf0:5o754

[0004] A disadvantage to this arrangnmont is that it is relatively permanent and one: the drive output shaft’ 5 cuttpling halfia bolted to lbs impeller chaffis coupling half. it is now difficult It) then go back and diecotmoct the two without lime consuming and disadvantageous unbolting process:-s. Therefore. these bolting systems are not vex): suitable. for use in process»:-u whore it is often necexsmy to disconnect the motor output shaft from the impeller shaft in order to dixuonnoct tho drive from tho rust of the mixing assembly. For oxample, sterile mixing assemblies ate sometimes zoquired in the binuxlt and phamtaceudcal - industry. and aknown way to ptovido a sterile mbtln g assombly is place a mixing assembly into an autoclave when: it is sterilized. However. the mixing assembly’ 3 drive is removed before the rest of Ihc mixing assembly is pluual into the autoclave. Because thin known sterilization ptoceas involves Irulmling the drive, the fotegoing time consuming unbolting and bolting pmcmcs may be uut1¢Si1’&blC~

[0005] Accordingly. thcroia nneedintbe art fnr auoupling apparatus and method which can be fitted onto a drive output shaft and onto an impeller shaft. and which an be used to quickly connect and disconnect the chains to and fmm each nlhct‘. m%__VWU0N W006] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the pmaont invcnuon, Wheteiu in one aspect an aopztatus is pmvidod that in some embodiments pmvidns an appmttus and method which can be fitted onto a drive output shaft and onto an impeller shaft, and which can be used to quickly connect and disconnect the shafts to and from each nthcr. Thus. enabling at drive. lu he quickly connected and disconnected to and from a mixing assembly. |0007 I In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a coupling assembly is provided for connecting and disconnecting a shaft assembly. The coupling assembly comprises a first coupling half having a first set of locking pins and a second coupling half having a plurality of openings configured to receive the first set of locking pins to connect the first and second coupling halves. The first set of locking pins has a first flanged portion, and the first flanged portion overlaps the second coupling half when the first and second coupling halves are in an engaged position. The first coupling half has a second set of locking pins having a second flanged portion, and the second flanged portion overlaps a ledge portion of a shaft support member when the first coupling half is engaged to the shaft support member.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a coupling assembly for connecting and disconnecting a shaft assembly is provided.

The coupling assembly comprises a first coupling means having a flrst and a second set of locking means and a second coupling means having a plurality of openings configured to received the flrst set of locking means to connect the first and second coupling means. The flrst set of locking means has a flrst flanged portion and the second set of locking means has a second flanged portion, and the flrst flanged portion overlaps the second coupling means when the flrst and second coupling means are in an engaged position. |0009| In accordance with yet another aspect ofthe present invention, a method is provided for connecting a coupling assembly having a flrst coupling half and a second coupling half. The method comprises positioning the second coupling half having a plurality of openings proximate to the first coupling half having a flrst and a second set of locking pins, wherein the plurality of openings align with the first set of locking pins. Next, the method provides a step for translating the second coupling half such that the flrst set of locking pins pass through the plurality of openings. The next step is rotating the second coupling half in a first direction such that a first flanged portion ofthe first set of locking pins engages the second coupling half. The next step is further rotating the coupling assembly in a first direction such that a seormd flanged P0fli°1'| 017 W second set oflonkiug pins discngages I ledge pmtion of a shaft suppon

[0010] In accordance with yet anolhef aspect of the present invention, a method is pmvidcd for disconnecting a coupling assembly havtnga fimouupling half and a sewnd coupling half. The tnznllmd comprises positioning the coupling assembly such that 8 second set of luulti ng pins located on the first cuuylinghalf align with a plurality of passageways formed in a shaft supp-tut mombor. translating the coupling am-mbly such that the second set of looking pins pass through the plurality uf passageways formed imhc shaft suppunmcmbcr, routing the coupling assembly in afitat directton such that at second flnngcdponion of the second set of locking pins engage: a ledge portion of the shaft support m4.-min-.r, mxthu muting tho coupling assembly in afinst direction such thnt 2 fin: flanged portion of the first set of lr.rlt'i11g plus disougngos from the first in mpling half and aligns with a plurality of opcniugs formed In the scmnd coupling half. and translating the wound coupling half such that the first act of locking pin: pass‘ through rhea plurality of opening; formed in 01:: xecond coupling half.

[0011] “low has thus been outlined. rathct broadly. certain embodiments of fhc invention in order that the detail:-nl dmcription thereof herein may he bcmcr uudcrstood, and in order that me. present contrilmtson to dun art. may be better appreciated. There are, of course. additional embodiments of the invention that will be descrflaed below and which Will form that subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0012] In this tospeot, before explaining at least one embodiment of the. invention in detail, it is to be undmttmd that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to tbs antangemenbs of tho components 5-.I ford: in the following desulption or illustrated in the The krvauticm is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and UI being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be xmdemoud shat Ilnr. phrasoology and terminology Elrlpluyed herein, as well as the alt-stmm, am for the purpose of dascription and should not be regarded as

[0013] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that tho conception upon which this disclumm is based may readily be u(ili7.ed as A basis for the designing of odxw at-natures. methods and systems frur carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, thcmforc. that the claims he mgardai as including such equivalent cuuslmotions inaofn: on they do not dqvnut Fmrn the spirit and scope of me. present invention.

BRIEF DEfl||[|j]QN OF THE Dkamgg 13

[0014] FIG. 1 is a mass sactionnl side view show in g a coupling assembly in a connrcltal pnsicion accoming to a pteferur-41 cmbodlnlcnl of the present invcutlon.

[0015] FIG. '1 is a cross wc.1.iuna.l side View allowing the coupling assembly of FIG. 1 in a dincomneoood position.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a potspectivc View of the coupling assrmtblyof FIG. 1 in a disconnected pusitinn.

[0017] FIG. 4 la n petspective View of (Ix: coupling assembly ofB1G. 1 in a connected position. l')F.'l‘fl,@ QESCRII’ 1193'

[0018] Anembndhncntin uocotdance with thepresencinveutiou provides an apparatus and nxcrlmd whichoan be fittcdontoa drive outputshafl andontu am impeller Shaft, and which can be used to quicltly connect and disconnect the. shafts to and [mm each other. The presiml iiivunlim may be suitable for use in processes wllerc it is olwn nacessary to diwtnntuoct a drive output shaft from the lmpellcr shaft in order to disconnect th: motor from the rest of the mixing uwzanbly. For example in the binmcli indumy. in order to provide. a flafilc mixing assembly, the mixing usseniblfs drive is removed and Ilse. text of the mixing assembly is placed into an autoclave when it is sterilized.

[0019] Preft-mail embodiment: of the invention will new be described with reraxencé. In on drawing figurea. in which like n-In-.n:nco numcmls me: to like pans thmnglioul. Turning to FIG. I, a coupling assembly 10 is depicted in a can figuration located within a housing 1'2. The housing 12 may be, for example. rested or oulorwise mounned uu atop region of a mixing vessel. In this cxamplc. the housing 12 conuiims a ledge 14 havinfi P33'°‘¢8°WI)IS 15 fmmod thcrcin. The coupling assembly 10 includes a first coupling half 16 and a secondcouplinghalf 18. wherein thc first and second coupling halves 16, 18 are circular, and the dlametm uf the first coupling half 16 is largcr than the diameter of the second coupling half 13.

[0020] The ledge 14 forms a continuous circle having a diamezm Ian 31:}: than the diameter of Ilia sccondooupling half 18 and smallerthan the diamoncrof the fim Coupling half 16. Four passageways 15 are formed in dielodgc 14, and each passageway 15 is sopamtnd by 90 degrees. In an alternative embodiment, (Ina First and second coupling halves 16, 18 can be the same size and/or can be cmbodiodin a shape other than a chclc.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1. the: first coupling half 16 is intcgudly connected to an iInpe.llr.r shaft 20. and the second coupling hall‘ 18 is integrally ‘ oonnecled to adrivc. output shaft 22. In this example, the drive output shaft 22 is PATENT connected to, and rotationally driven by, a motor 24 and/or a gear box. The drive M may be rested or otherwise mounted on 8 top region ofthc housing 12. The coupling assembly 10 connects the drive Output shaft 22 to the impeller shaft 20 so that when the drive 24 drives the drive output ehafi22. the Impeller st1aft.20 is also driven. The impeller shaft 20 may be, for example. suspended in the innit}: region of lho mixing vessel. and it is de.-zlml to mount radially extending impeller members such as paddles or hind!-.< unto the impeller shah 20 so that rotation of the impeller shaft 20 will move the impellers through a fluid located in the mixing vessel.

[0022] Turning now to 1-1G. 2, the coupling assembly 10 is shown in a disconnected position. Because the first coupling half 16 is integrally connected to the impeller shaft 20 and the second coupling luulf 18 is integrally’ connected to the drivr: output shaft 22, when the coupling halves 16. 13 are disconnected, the impeller shaft 20 and the drive output xhaft 22 are thereby disconnedt-LL Further, because the drive oatput shaft 22 isconnccted lo the drive 24, when the coupling assembly 10 is dlsoomtm.-ted, the drive 24 is disconnected fmm the impeller shaft . Upon the coupling assemhljfs disconnection, in the pmfened embodiment, the drive 24 may he removed from atop the housing 12 and. thus, completely separated from the rest of the mixing asseull.-ly.

] It is desirable to sterilize the impeller shaft 20 and the Impeller members attached thereto along with the other mixer components. Huwcvcr. it is not desirable or feasibln to stuilize the drive 24. Ihus, the drive 24 is removed from the mixing asscau nhlybefore sterilization begins. Bemlnxc the impeller shaft is attached to the drive 2A. by way of the coupling assembly 10. it is desirable to provide a supporting means capable ofsuppoztirrg the impeller ahat‘t'1JO during sterilivalion and while the drive 24 is removal from the mixing assembly. The present iuvnntion provides the fomguing supporting means by providing a ledge 14 {mm which the impeller shaft ‘)0 can hang whan the drive?/tis removed from 1112 mixing assembly. When the coupling assembly 10 is disconnected and the drive 24 is removed, the first coupling half 16 may be. smrmd dizccuy to the ledge 14, whichislntegrally connwtndto thehousing 17.. Thus. the tirstooupling half 16 and the Impeller shaft 20 remain secure in the mixing assembly during sterilization in an autoclave, for example.

[0014] RcfetringnowtoF1G. 3, the firstconplinghnlf 16 ban a flrstanda second set of locking pins 26, 18 extmnding Ihotcfmm, and in this example. the first locking pins 26 have a flanged portion 30 and the mend locking pins 28 have a flanged portion 3]. The first looking pins 26 am «Imposed in an inner diameter D1_....,and the wound locking pins 28 ms disposed in a middle diameter DU“... The firstoouplmg half 16 has unoutsido dian1eterD;_..._.,. ‘Rm second mupliug half 18 has a plurality ofhnles 32 formed therein that em.-.nd all rhc way through. 1116 holes 32 III! fur-norl in an inner diameter D235, whctoin D1_;....¢,- equals D1_;.,,,,.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, because Dg_;...., equnls D1_;...,,. when the firs: and second cnupling halves I6, 18 an: connmtrsd. the first locking pins 26, which an: dispasod in D1_.,,,.,, pass through holes 32. which are formed in D;_,,,,,_ Futtln-at‘, thc first act of lockingpinr flangns 30 ovcrlnp and, thereby, engage an-. sscond coupling halt‘ 18.

[0026] Referring ugain rum]. 2. whcnthe tWoc0v.Ip1in.gh:11vw‘-5 16. [Bars disconnected and me iJ1.Ipt."cI shaft 20 is supported by the ledge 14. the first coupling half‘: 16 seumld set «flocking pins 28 extend through the passageway: [5 that are fumbad in the ledge 14. Further. Ihm second sot of looldng pins’28 flanges '51 urvalap and. thereby. engage the ledge. 14.

Al . I

[0027] Rcfetrlng again to FIG. 3, the second oouplmg half 18 ham an outside diameter DU“ wherein D1,“, is smaller dmn D; W... and D;,,m,, yat DAM, in largcr than D1. gm. me fowguing an-angcmenl is so that the. xecoud coupli ng half 18 is large enough to aumpt the frat set of locking pins 7!», but too small to interfere with seeoncl set at locking pins as. Thus, even when the firs: andsocondcoupllnghalvc-s16, 18 am ongaged. second Iuckingpins 28 are treeto pass through pnmagaways 15 and engage the housi ng 12.

[0028] D;_..... is smaller than me diamexar of lhccitculatovpening formed by the ledge I5. Tllcforcgoinx ammgemem is In allow the second coupling hall‘ 18 to pass tluuugh the circular opening funded by the ledge 15 and, thus, flu: coupling assembly 10 cm be lawcwl into the housing 12, as shown in FIG. 1.

Once the coupling assembly I0 is lower into the housing 12, when: it is ftw from contact with otbex mixing asscnlbly components, the clrive. 7.4 can be activated and the mixing assembly can become functional.

{M19} The pmfcrrcd mathod for oonnrding the coupling assembly 10 will now he described. Lftbc impeller shaft 20 is sccund to thfi ledge 14, the fins! stray is to position the oecond coupling half 18 proximate to the first coupling half 16. The second coupling half 18 should be positmned such that its openings 32 align with the firctcoupllng hall‘: 16 tirst set otlocklng pun '26. Th: next step is to lower the second coupling half18 so that the firs! set. of locking pin: 26 pass through the opening 32 and the mating surface 36 of the firs! coupling half 16 contacts the mating surface 38 or the second wupllng half H5.

[0030] The next step is to mum-. the second coupling half 18 in a (int direction such that it slides Ilndtsrnoalh thc flanged poutions 30 of the first set ul‘ locking pins 26. The next slap in thc connecting process is to rotate the coupling assembly 10 further in the first direction. In an aloornazive embodiun-.nt, it is apprecialcd thc coupling assembly 10 can be rotatod in a second, Opposite. direL'.l'u'm instead of turihet rotated in the first direction. ‘the preferred fllrfltel mmnon stop slidos the flanged pmions 31 of the second set of locking pins 28 along the ledge portion 14 of the shaft support housing 12 until the flange portions '3! disengage how the lodge 14. The next step ls tn lower the coupling assembly 10 so the smmd set of locldng pins 28 pass tllmugh Ihc passageways . Finally, Ihc mupling assembly 10 can be lowemd tluough the continuous circle formed by the lady: I4 until the drive 24 is sncurcatop the housing 12.

[0031] T110 ptvfctred method tot disc.-,uunocu‘ng tho coupling Issenirly 10 will now 17: described. The firs: step is to align the second set of loclclngpiux 7.8 with the passngaways 15 that we fnnncd in th: ledge 14. The sew:-d set of locking pins 28 should br. aligned such that when the coupling assembly 10 is lifted toward the ledge 14. the second locking pins 28 pass through the passageways 15.

[0032] The next step in the. discmmocting process is to lift the coupling assembly 10 until pins 28 pass through lhnpmagcwuys 15 ands. poniun ur the first coupling half’: 16 mming amfaoo 36 makes contact with the bottom portion of the ledge l4. Once the msond locking pm 28 are tlzroughtlmpassagcwaya 15. the next stop in to ruuuc thccoupling assembly 10 in a first all action such that lhc flanged portions 31 of the second set of locking pins 28 overlap and thereby cugago the ledge I4.

[0053] Once the loclcing pins 28 have engaged lilo ledge 14, the second coupling half 18 is mrtber tulnlcad in tho first direction such that the tlangad portions 30 gram nm sol uflmzklng pins 26 slide along the second cotlplinglmlf 18 until liheflangul portions 30 are no longet in contact with the srcnml coupling half 13 and no em sot of lockingpins 26 are aligned with the (lptzljngs 32. lnan alternative embodiment, it is appreciuuad the second coupling half 18 can bc rut-an-4'1 in a second. opposite, dirculinn instead of further rotated in the: [hat direction. The next step ls to lift. the second oouplmg half 18 such that the first pins 26 pass through theopening 32 and the second coupling 18 diwrmnocls from the first coupling half us.

[0034] Refeniug again to P10. 3, the distance. 40 between the tirst set of 1ockingpins' 26 flangcs 30 nndlhemafing $l.lIfaL:r.360f thofirstoouplinghali 16 is slightly largo: than the thickness 42 of am. second coupling half 18. Because than: is minimum clearance between um two. the second coupling half 18 can he totawd underneath the first sci of locking pins’ 26 flanges 30. yet mmain generally snug therewith. This generally snug relationship prev:-mx the coupling assembly 10 from inadvomontly disengaging.

[0035] The holes 32 extend all the way through the second coupling half 18 and an-. typically large enough such xhatthc flanged porliona 30 of the first set of locking pins 26 may easily pasu through, without first having to be pteciscly a.ljgn¢d with the holes 32. Putllam; tho locking pins '16 and the hole.» 32 are located at regular lntexvalx such that they do not have to be specifically arranged prior [0 Collm-1;l.inu. Thus. connecting the coupling halves 16. 18 to one another may be. readily accomplished.

[0036] In the preferred etnbodirncnl. the first set of locking pins 26 consists of four indivndual pins dlspmcul at lcgular internals of 90 dagrees along the firs: coupling half 16. In the case of a coupling assembly 10 responsiblc-. rm withstanding particularly largp axial and rotational forces, it may be llt‘.Sll'8.bl$ to use a diffensul number of looking pins to further distribulr. the force among the individual pins, such as ctght pins each 45 degrets apart.

[0037] The coupling assembly 10 and the housing 12 may preferably be made ofa metal such as a high alloy. These pans may be lln-. samc material or a similar material as the shafts Z0. 22. line locking pins 26, 28 due to their desired frictional eugagmm-.nt with the second coupling hall‘ 18 and lodge 14. may preferably be um-ufacmrod from a softer metal than the other components.

[0038] It will also be apprecialrtl that in the preferred embodiment. hinged locking pins 26, 28 are ptovidx.-ll. Upon the looking pins 26, 2.8 passage iluough the passageways 15 and/(I holes 32. the pins 26, 28 are movad about a hingc from. a vemcal pusilitm to a non—vemcal position such that the firs: coupling half 1619 secumdtooitlm the second coupling l1alfl8 andthcledgc 15.

Although the coupling azsscmbly I0 is useful to quickly connect mddisconneota drive output shaft to and from unimpellcr shaft, 31 can also be used to quickly connect and disconnect other types of cmqmcnts in other types of devices. [0039l ‘lbs many featums and advantages of the invention are appueut from lhc detailed specificatinn, and thus. itis intended by the appemlal claims to cover all such features and aulvnntagcs of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since mum ms modifications and variation will ncadily occur to those Skilledinlln-. art, it isnot desired to limit the inv..,.,(jon to the exact construction and npcnalion illustrated and described. and accordingly. all suitable modlflcmsitmu andoquivalcnla maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (28)

1. . A coupling assembly for connecting and disconnecting a shaft assembly, comprising: a first coupling half having a first set of locking pins; a second coupling half having a plurality of openings configured to receive the first set of locking pins to connect the first and second coupling halves, wherein, the first set of locking pins has a first flanged portion, and the first flanged portion overlaps the second coupling half when the first and second coupling halves are in an engaged position; and wherein the first coupling half has a second set of locking pins having a second flanged portion, and the second flanged portion overlaps a ledge portion of a shaft support member when the first coupling half is engaged to the shaft support member.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first coupling half has a first outer diameter and the second coupling half has a second outer diameter, and the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first coupling half is integrally comiected to an impeller shaft.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second coupling half is integrally connected to a drive output shaft.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of locking pins are disposed in a middle diameter and the second set of locking pins are disposed in an inner diameter.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the openings are correspondingly formed relative to the inner diameter.

7. A coupling assembly for connecting and disconnecting a shaft assembly, comprising: a first coupling means having a first and a second set of locking means; and a second coupling means having a plurality of openings configured to receive the first set of locking means to connect the first and second coupling means, wherein, the first set of locking means has a first flanged portion and the second set of locking means has a second flanged portion, and the first flanged portion overlaps the second coupling means when the first and second coupling means are in an engaged position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first coupling means has a first outer diameter and the second coupling means has a second outer diameter, and the first outer diameter is larger than the second outer diameter.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second flanged portion overlaps a ledge portion of a shaft support member when the first coupling half is engaged to the shaft support member.

10. 1 0. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first coupling means is integrally connected to an impeller shaft.

11. 1 l. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second coupling means is integrally connected to a drive output shaft.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first set of locking means are disposed in a middle diameter and the second set of locking means are disposed in an inner diameter.

13. 1 3. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the openings are correspondingly formed relative to the inner diameter.

14. A method for connecting a coupling assembly having a first coupling half and a second coupling half, comprising: positioning the second coupling half having a plurality of openings proximate to the first coupling half having a first and a second set of locking pins, wherein the plurality of openings align with the first set of locking pins; translating the second coupling half such that the first set of locking pins pass through the plurality ofopenings; and rotating the second coupling half in a first direction such that a first flanged portion of the first set of locking pins engages the second coupling half.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising rotating the coupling assembly further in the first direction such that a second flanged portion of the second set of locking pins disengages a ledge portion of a shaft support member.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising rotating the coupling assembly in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that a second flanged portion of the second set of locking pins disengages a ledge portion of a shaft support member.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first coupling half is integrally connected to an impeller shaft.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the second coupling half is integrally connected to a drive output shaft.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the first set of locking pins are disposed in a middle diameter and the second set of locking pins are disposed in an inner diameter.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the openings are correspondingly formed relative to the inner diameter.

21. A method for disconnecting a coupling assembly having a first coupling half and a second coupling half, comprising: positioning the coupling assembly such that a second set of locking pins located on the first coupling half align with a plurality of passageways formed in a shaft support member; translating the coupling assembly such that the second set of locking pins pass through the plurality of passageways; and rotating the coupling assembly in a first direction such that a second flanged portion of the second set of locking pins engages a ledge portion of the shaft support member.

22. The method of claim 21, fiuther comprising rotating the coupling assembly further in the first direction such that a first flanged portion of the first set of locking pins disengages from the first coupling half and aligns with a plurality of openings formed in the second coupling half; and translating the second coupling half such that the first set of locking pins pass through the plurality of openings formed in the second coupling half.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising rotating the coupling assembly in a second direction opposite to the first direction such that a first flanged portion of the first set of locking pins disengages from the first coupling half and aligns with a plurality of openings formed in the second coupling half; and translating the second coupling half such that the first set of locking pins pass through the plurality of openings formed in the second coupling half.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the first coupling half is integrally connected to an impeller shaft.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the second coupling half is integrally connected to a drive output shaft.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein the first set of locking pins are disposed in a first middle diameter and the second set of locking pins are disposed in a first inner diameter.

27. 2 7. The method of claim 26, wherein the openings are correspondingly formed relative to the first inner diameter.

28. A coupling assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 2 9 . A method of disconnecting a coupling substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.