Abstract: A device using an electrorheological fluid filled in a fluid enclosing space comprises passages or fins for cooling the electrorheological fluid disposed around the fluid enclosing space and is useful for a vibration damper, a clutch, an engine mount, a shock absorber and the like. The power consumption can be maintained at a sufficiently low level and thermal runaway of electric current can effectively be prevented.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper which includes a cooling fluid gallery which at least partially surrounds at least one of the brake operating piston and cylinder assemblies to cool the hydraulic fluid of any such assemblies. The gallery is constructed to provide thin side walls for piston and cylinder assemblies to maximize the cooling of the assemblies.

Abstract: A disc brake caliper with auxiliary system to cool brake fluid for use in a high performance automobile includes a brake caliper (12) and a cooling system (14). The brake caliper (12) has a housing (34), a first conduit (60), and a second conduit (74). The first conduit (60) conveys a hydraulic fluid to first and second bores (48, 50), whereby pistons received within the bores (48, 50) may be activated to press friction pads (22, 26) against a rotor (16) and provide a braking action. The second conduit (74) conveys a coolant through the housing (34) to a region proximal the first conduit (60). The cooling system (14) comprises the second conduit (74), a pump (94), and a radiator (96) connected in series via connective plumbing (92) to form a fluid circuit.

Abstract: A compressed coolant hydraulic brake rotor is provided for reducing heat energy build-up, thereby minimizing warping and deterioration of the rotor and brake pads. The rotor provides an enclosed volume and a valve assembly used for insertion of a fluid coolant medium, such as freon, within the enclosed volume, which houses a plurality of interior surface support fins. The rotor is "enclosed" in order to contain and govern the fluid coolant medium. As the rotor is engaged and begins to rotate, centrifugal force pressurizes the coolant medium within the enclosed volume and causes the fluid coolant medium to compress. The compressed coolant medium functions as a heat sink to draw heat energy away from the rotor, therefore to cool the rotor by heat energy transfer therefrom. The rotor may be used in any type of vehicle that functions with brakes.

Abstract: A vehicle brake caliper with a piston having a cavity is provided. A phase change material is inserted within the piston cavity wherein an increase in heat energy into the piston due to an application of the brake piston causes the brake piston temperature to increase and then to stabilize by heat energy absorption by the phase change material during its change of state.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel and rotor assembly is provided for use with a vehicle having a disc-type brake. The assembly includes a wheel for threaded connection with an axle and a rotor. The rotor has a core section joined to an annular ring section and the core section has apertures aligned for threadably joining the rotor to the wheel. Heat pipes are embedded within said rotor core. The heat pipes provide a heat sink for the annular ring section of the rotor causing a fluid within the heat pipe to vaporize on an end of the heat pipes more adjacent to the annular ring section and to condense on an end of the heat pipe more adjacent to the wheel to transfer heat from the annular ring to the wheel.

Abstract: An actuator is described for a disc brake system of the type which includes a piston whose front end is pressed against a disc by pressured hydraulic fluid that is applied to the rear of the piston and that is prevented from leaking by an elastomeric seal extending around the middle of the piston, which minimizes heating of the seal and hydraulic fluid. The piston is hollow, and has internal walls near its forward end forming a sealed chamber containing sodium. The piston has fins on its outside around the sodium-containing container. A hollow space between the rear wall of the piston and the sodium-filled chamber contains a vacuum. Applicant finds that the temperature rise of the seal and hydraulic fluid is greatly reduced by these arrangements.

Abstract: A magnetic particle-type electromagnetic coupling apparatus is cooled by a plurality of heat pipes which are partially embedded in the outer periphery of a rotating coupling member near the portion of the coupling member which is in contact with magnetic particles during operation. Heat is removed from the coupling member by a working fluid which is sealed within the heat pipes and is dissipated to the atmosphere through cooling fins attached to the heat pipes.

Abstract: A braking member for a brake of the liquid cooled type is provided on at least one side with an annular reservoir for cooling liquid, and passages are arranged to control the release of liquid from the reservoir to braking surfaces in response to centrifugal force.

Abstract: A combined wheel/brake apparatus employing an electro-rheological fluid. The apparatus includes a wheel rotatably mounted on an axle and a first array of spaced, electrically conductive vanes extending in a first direction with the vanes non-rotatably held by the axle. The apparatus also includes a second array of spaced, electrically and thermally conductive vanes extending in a direction opposite the first direction, with the second and first arrays interdigitated but not contacting. An electro-rheological fluid is in the spaces between the vanes. At least some of the second vanes have a coolant passageway and the apparatus further includes a secondary coolant supply for these passageways. The coolant passageways are isolated from the electro-rheological fluid so that application of an electrical potential across the two array vanes causes an increase in the viscosity of the electro-rheological fluid to develop a braking force, with heat occasioned by the braking being transmitted to the secondary coolant.

Abstract: The segments (1) of the braking track (112) fixed to the rotor of an alternator driven by a water turbine are cooled by circulating water by means of a thermosiphonic effect from tanks (5) which are also fixed to the rotor.Application to the security of safety water-driven turbo-alternator units.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coupling device in the form of an overrunning clutch particularly adapted for "holdback", stand-by drive and "creep" drive applications. A one-way clutch means, preferably in the form of a sprag clutch provides selective drive between a normally driven member and a normally passive member. The "passive" member may be retained against any rotation or may be driven at any speed less than that of the normally driven member. In the illustrated embodiment the normally driven member comprises a sleeve adapted to accept a shaft. The sleeve is drivingly connected to the outer race of the one-way clutch. The inner race of the overrunning clutch is fixed to a housing for the assembly and serves as the passive drive member. Means are provided thereon for connection to a stationary member or an auxiliary drive. The passive member is supported on the normally driven member by a pair of bearing means one on either side of the one-way clutch.

Abstract: A system for protecting aircraft tires and axle bearings from excessive heat developed in the braking system, having a plurality of osmotic heat transfer devices having the cooling fluid pumped from the cold end, which is cooled by radiation fins, to the hot end, within the brake disk locking keys, by osmotic pumping across a membrane. The working fluid can use water as the solvent and the solute is one of the chlorides of sodium or potassium or one of the chlorates of cessium, sodium or calcium.

Abstract: A heavy-duty disc brake assembly and pneumatic actuating assembly therefor. The pneumatic actuating assembly may include a pair of annular pistons operatively connected for simultaneous movement thereof, apparatus being provided for supplying air under pressure to the working faces thereof, or a single piston spring biased to braking position with apparatus for supplying air under pressure to either face thereof. The disc brake assembly includes a plurality of relatively movable rotor and stator discs, and preferably a closed cooling system with circulatory loop is provided.