Wet Friction Surface And Internal Resistance Patents (Class 188/264E)
  • Patent number: 6062367
    Abstract: A friction plate is constituted by a core plate, and friction members fixed respectively to opposite surfaces of the core plate. The friction member has oil passages, extending therethrough from its inner peripheral surface to its outer peripheral surface, and oil grooves which are open to the inner peripheral surface, but do not extend through the friction member. The area ratio of the oil grooves to the oil passages is 25% to 100%; and the width of the oil groove is not larger than the width of the oil passage. The length of the oil groove is not less than 1/4 of the length of the oil passage. It is not necessary that all of the oil grooves have the same length. Preferably, the width of the oil passage, as well as the width of the oil groove, is not more than 3 mm. The oil passages and the oil grooves may be inclined relative to the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: NSK-Warner Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Hirayanagi, Shigeki Umezawa
  • Patent number: 5998311
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a material for an element of a power transmission-absorption assembly and the method of making such material is disclosed. The material has a pre-selected channel configuration to permit flow of a cooling medium thereacross or therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Terry E. Nels
  • Patent number: 5988326
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving a press uses a hydraulically actuated oil shear brake unit located on one side of a flywheel and a hydraulically actuated oil shear clutch unit located on the opposite side of the flywheel. The actuating assemblies for the oil shear brake unit and the oil shear clutch unit are supplied as complete assemblies which are secured to the brake housing and clutch housing, respectively, at the time of assembly of the units to the press. The actuation of the clutch unit and the brake unit occur simultaneously and from the same hydraulic pressure source such that the overlap between the two units is controllable from no overlap to a specified amount of overlap where the brake unit is applied simultaneously with the engagement of the clutch for a specified amount of time. The stroke acquired by the brake and clutch actuating assemblies can each be selected at the time of assembly by selecting the appropriate width for a plurality of spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Midwest Brake Bond Company
    Inventor: Gordon Maurice Sommer
  • Patent number: 5769187
    Abstract: A drive unit for driving a press uses a hydraulically actuated oil shear brake unit located on one side of a flywheel and a hydraulically actuated oil shear clutch unit located on the opposite side of the flywheel. The actuating assemblies for the oil shear brake unit and the oil shear clutch unit are supplied as complete assemblies which are secured to the brake housing and clutch housing, respectively, at the time of assembly of the units to the press. The actuation of the clutch unit and the brake unit occur simultaneously and from the same hydraulic pressure source such that the overlap between the two units is controllable from no overlap to a specified amount of overlap where the brake unit is applied simultaneously with the engagement of the clutch for a specified amount of time. The stroke acquired by the brake and clutch actuating assemblies can each be selected at the time of assembly by selecting the appropriate width for a plurality of spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Midwest Brake Bond Co.
    Inventor: Gordon Maurice Sommer
  • Patent number: 5662192
    Abstract: A disk brake comprising a disk (1) which carries on each side a secondary friction layer (7) to which a primary friction layer (6) is affixed, wherein the friction layers (6, 7) are actuable by brake shoes (4, 5), wherein when at least one of the primary friction layers (6) is worn away contact between the secondary friction layer (7) and respective brake shoes (4, 5) will give rise to an indicating sound, and wherein cooling grooves (9) are provided in the primary friction layer (6), wherein each cooling groove (9) extends at least through the full thickness of the primary friction layer (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Volvo Wheel Loaders AB
    Inventors: Tim Kingston, Tord Dahlen
  • Patent number: 5615758
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a material for an element of a power transmission-absorption assembly and the method of making such material is disclosed. The material has a pre-selected channel configuration to permit flow of a cooling medium thereacross or therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Inventor: Terry E. Nels
  • Patent number: 5542306
    Abstract: A drag brake mechanism prevents rotation of the shaft of a truck mounted connect-disconnect, clutch-operated, power takeoff device when the clutch is in its disconnect mode, by applying a constant braking force to the shaft which cannot be overcome by inadvertent frictional forces within the discs of the clutch that may occur despite the clutch being in its disconnect mode. The constant force selected, however, is insufficient to create undue heat during normal shaft rotation and is easily overcome when the clutch is placed in its connect mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Muncie Power Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Rickey J. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 5495927
    Abstract: A torque transfer device embodying the concepts of the present invention utilizes a plurality of first apply torque plates and a plurality of second reaction torque plates. Each torque plate has a generally flat annular disk portion, and passages penetrate the flat disk portion of the torque plates. The disk portions of the first and second torque plates are interleaved, and an annular friction disk is interposed between the successively adjacent interleaved disk portions. Circumferentially spaced and annularly disposed apertures penetrate each friction disk. The passages in the flat disk portion of the first and second torque plates are located in register with the apertures penetrating the friction disks. Each friction disk may have a planar reverse surface that is attached to the disk portion of one torque plate. Each friction disk also has an obverse engaging face operatively to engage the successively adjacent disk portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Andrew L. Bartos
  • Patent number: 5307906
    Abstract: A braking system for a vehicle. The braking system provides continuous tactile feed back through the brake pedal to the operator of the vehicle that conforms to the degree to which the vehicle brakes are being applied so that the tactile feed-back to the operator conforms to the visual and kinesthetic input received by the operator. The braking system has a brake pedal that is mounted to be depressed in response to a force applied thereto by the vehicle operator. The braking system incorporates both a mechanical brake actuating mechanism and a hydraulic brake actuating mechanism. The braking system provides for selective actuation of the mechanical brake actuating mechanism sequentially in advance of the hydraulic brake actuating mechanism when the brake pedal is depressed. A linkage assembly is incorporated in the mechanical brake actuating mechanism. The linkage assembly provides tactile feed-back to the brake pedal throughout the range of operation of said braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Fereydoon Jamzadeh, Arthur L. Grew, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5299676
    Abstract: A cylindrical oil-filled casing (2, 3, 5) has an input shaft (12) on which are mounted a pair of braking rings (17, 26) which are allowed limited axial and circumferential movement with respect to one another. The ring (26) is driven by the shaft and drives the other ring (17) through a circle of angularly-spaced, spring-biassed balls (28) mounted in tear-drop shaped recesses in the opposed faces of the rings (17, 26). Each ring has a frusto-conical braking rim extending parallel to a frusto-conical braking surface (8, 9) provided on the casing part (5). The rims of the rings (17, 26) have angularly-spaced, shallow, chordal segments removed to provide recesses which, during rotation of the shaft (12), pump oil between the braking surfaces of the rings and the casing, to form hydraulic cushions therebetween. Reversal of the shaft torque causes the balls (28) to force the rings (17, 26) apart and into braking engagement with the casing to check rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: IVG Australia Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Malcolm V. Wade
  • Patent number: 5228543
    Abstract: A sealed vehicle wet disc brake has a brake housing and a piston housing which are fixedly interconnected and which receive a rotor. The two housings and rotor define an annular cavity which is sealed by appropriate rotary seals and in which is maintained a friction stack. The piston housing has a plurality of uniformly spaced piston bores therein, such bores being interconnected by an annular groove which circumferentially intersects with a circumferential surface of the piston housing. A pressure source of fluid communicates with the annular groove and the piston received within the bores. The annular groove is sealed by means of an "O" ring engaged therein from the circumferential surface and retained by a retaining ring. The intersection of the annular groove with the circumferential surface is tapered to accommodate compressive retention of the "O" ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Power Transmission Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Heidenreich
  • Patent number: 5207305
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for capturing a hydrodynamic film between two working surfaces whereby the hydrodynamic film separates the two working surfaces while transmitting mechanical energy between the two thereby greatly reducing wear while dissipating thermal energy produced from the transfer of mechanical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Advanced Brake & Clutch Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Roger A. Iverson
  • Patent number: 5205384
    Abstract: The damper arrangement is operated in high temperature applications, such as load and speed environments such as found in turboengines. The damper arrangement includes damper pads which are laterally urged against damping elements forming a shearing zone therebetween. The shearing zone is lubricated with solid dry powder lubricant. The damper pads include a circumferential wave or a multi-partial arc configuration formed by radial slots with inwardly tapering radial bevels and lateral bevels adjacent to the radial slots to enhance the circulation of the powder lubricant in response to nutating motion between the damper pad and the damper element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Mechanical Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Hooshang Heshmat
  • Patent number: 5190123
    Abstract: A direct drive, self-cooling, fail-safe axle brake system mounted to a drive axle associated with a differential and wheel end of a vehicle. The brake system has two back to back tandem operated combination brake components associated with the wheel end, which is surrounded by a hub cooling and collection reservoir into which fluids from a separate cooling reservoir are circulated over the brake components to dissipate heat generated from braking by dissipating it through the separate cooling reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Cannon Engineering Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dusan J. Hvolka
  • Patent number: 5186288
    Abstract: A motor brake unit comprising a housing member defining a fluid chamber disposed about the motor shaft of a motor, a shaft sleeve disposed within the fluid chamber nestingly engaging the motor shaft for rotation therewith, a first plurality of brake elements rotatable with the shaft sleeve, a brake collar secured to the housing member and disposed annularly about the shaft sleeve, a second plurality of brake elements non-rotatably supported by the brake collar, a pole piece for selectively engaging and disengaging the brake elements, a coil spring for normally biasing the pole piece to engage the brake elements, and a plurality of electromagnetic coils for selectively attracting the pole piece axially opposite the biasing force to disengage the brake elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Sommer Company
    Inventor: Gordon M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 5174420
    Abstract: A spring applied - hydraulically released (SAHR) type wet disc brake for a wheeled vehicle having a large braking torque and energy absorption capacity. The brake unit includes a piston housing in which an annular piston is mounted for reciprocal movement towards and away from a disc housing defining a disc chamber in which a plurality of interleaved non-rotating and rotating discs are disposed. A pressure plate is mounted for reciprocating movement towards and away from the discs and is operative to apply clamping forces to the discs in order to generate braking torque. A plurality of biasing springs urges the pressure plate towards engagement with the disc pack. Pressurized fluid applied to the piston maintains the pressure plate in a released position. Selective reduction of pressure to the piston effects braking action. A piston-to-reaction plate seal inhibits coolant flow between an inner face of the pressure plate and the adjacent disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Gregory T. DeWald, Charles D. Schaber
  • Patent number: 5152724
    Abstract: The invention concerns a liquid-cooled multi-disc brake (29) as used in transmission systems. The object of the invention is to improve the cooling of a multi-disc brake (29) exposed to high stresses owing to frequent use. In order to increase the throughput of coolant through the multi-disc brake (29) and to intensity the coolant circulation, one inner disc carrier (10) of the multi-disc brake (29) is designed as feeder wheel (48). Such a characterized multi-disc brake (29) is preferably used within the transmission system for heavy construction vehicles such as wheeled loaders, since liquid-cooled multi-disc brakes (29) in these utility vehicles are frequently used at full engine power. However, the use of the multi-disc brake (29) according to the invention is not limited to this particular application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Scheiber, Waldemar Bier, Hermann Sonnleitner, Karl Kuhner, Albrecht Lommel
  • Patent number: 5050710
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes lefthand and righthand suspension mechanisms individually having an elastomeric belt entrained about a plurality of roller wheels and a fron wheel assembly, with the front wheel assembly having inboard and outboard side portions connected together by a shaft and being mounted on a pivotable support member. The subject wet disc brake mechanism includes an annular housing assembly supporting the wheel shaft, a brake hub connected to the shaft, a brake assembly having a plurality of interleaved plates disposed within the housing assembly, and a plurality of internal passages for the ingress of a cooling fluid radially inwardly of the plates, the egress of the fluid radially outwardly of a collecting chamber defined within the housing assembly, and for delivering a control fluid to a service brake piston and a parking brake piston arranged in a compact overlapping manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brent C. Bargfrede
  • Patent number: 5050939
    Abstract: A hydraulic wheel braking system for a vehicle includes wet disc wheel brakes that are applied by a single spring-activated piston within each brake housing. Each piston is selectively and variably disengaged from the brake discs by variable hydraulic pressure acting against the piston in opposition to spring pressure to enable controlled wheel rotation. During vehicle operation, brake fluid pressure at the pistons is controlled by a foot pedal-operated brake valve. A manually-operated parking and control valve assembly can selectively disable the brake valve and relieve hydraulic pressure at the pistons to spring-apply the pistons to the discs. The assembly acts to automatically spring-apply the pistons to the discs upon a loss of brake or transmission clutch fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Construction and Mining Technique AB
    Inventors: Paul J. Middelhoven, Mark J. Albertson, Eric Johnson
  • Patent number: 5012901
    Abstract: A compound disc brake comprises a pair of pressure plates with a ball and ramp camming mechanism, one of the plates comprises a driven plate keyed to a rotating axle shaft to be braked, and the other plate comprises an input plate carried from the driven plate by the camming mechanism. The input plate is of larger diameter than the driven plate with its radially outer region comprising a torque-transmitting mechanism which transmits torque applied to that region by primary braking device, which can be a spot brake, to the central region of the input plate. Retardation of the input plate by the primary braking device causes the pressure plates to separate axially and move into engagement with relatively stationary braking surfaces in a brake housing whereafter servo braking occurs. Various multi-plate embodiments are disclosed, including embodiments in which the torque-transmitting mechanism is a separate annular disc keyed to the outer peripheral edge of the servo plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Roy Campbell, Anthony G. Price
  • Patent number: 4938321
    Abstract: A tubular hub member receives a shaft and is surrounded by a housing formed by a base section coupled to a cup-shaped closure section. The hub member defines an inlet passage for circulating cooling oil and supports a set of brake discs which interfit between a set of brake plates supported by pins projecting inwardly from the base section. An annular thrust plate is supported by the base section for axial movement and carries a set of compression springs which urge the thrust plate for clamping the brake plates and discs against a pressure plate mounted within the closure section. An annular electrical coil and support body are mounted by screws and spacer sleeves within the closure section, and an annular armature plate is supported by the sleeves for axial movement adjacent the end wall of the closure section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Force Control Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Kelley, Jerry L. Yater
  • Patent number: 4921078
    Abstract: A motor brake unit comprising a housing member defining a fluid chamber disposed about the motor shaft of a motor, a shaft sleeve disposed within the fluid chamber nestingly engaging the motor shaft for rotation therewith, a first plurality of brake elements rotatable with the shaft sleeve, a brake collar secured to the housing member and disposed annularly about said shaft sleeve, a second plurality of brake elements non-rotatably supported by the brake collar, a pole piece for selectively engaging and disengaging the brake elements, biasing means for normally biasing the pole piece to engage the brake elements, and a plurality of electromagnetic coils for selectively attracting the pole piece axially opposite the biasing force to disengage the brake elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Sommer Company
    Inventor: Gordon M. Sommer
  • Patent number: 4913267
    Abstract: A rotatable member for a brake of the liquid cooled type comprises a disc provided on opposite sides with annular braking faces. The disc incorporates a plurality of angularly spaced liquid supply slots which extend through the material of the disc and radially outwards from a position inwardly of the inner peripheral edges of the braking faces. A portion at the inner end of each slot is of a circumferential length greater than the remainder of the slot. The member may comprise a braking member for the brake, or it may be separate from the brake and act as a pump member in the form of a turbo disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Lucas Industries Limited Company
    Inventors: Roy Campbell, Anthony G. Price, Andrew P. Green
  • Patent number: 4890699
    Abstract: A separable casing or housing for a liquid cooled disc brake assembly wherein the separable parts of the casing are held together by a plurality of circumferentially spaced rods. The casing provides a sealed chamber in which a plurality of axially spaced rotor discs are interleaved with a plurality of stator discs. The rods also extend axially through the stator discs radially inwardly of their peripheral circumference and thus provide a reactive stationary force for the braking action. The rotor discs are splined connected to the rotating wheel that is to be braked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company
    Inventors: George W. Megginson, Philip D. Redenbarger, David H. First
  • Patent number: 4883149
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Roy Campbell, Anthony G. Price, Andrew P. Green
  • Patent number: 4862998
    Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type the actuator mechanism incorporates a restrictor in the form of a circumferentially extending discontinuous oil-seal which co-operates with radial faces on the two pressure plates. A secondary, or elevated, reservoir for liquid is therefore defined between said pressure plates by said oil-seal. Liquid can escape from this reservoir in order to enhance the cooling of the braking surfaces, defined by engagement of rotatable friction discs with end faces of a housing, pressure plates and a planar non-rotatable disc. In the brake shown in FIG. 6 two annular members act as seals on the ends of the outermost friction discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventors: Roy Campbell, Andrew P. Green, Anthony G. Price, David Parry
  • Patent number: 4828089
    Abstract: A brake, clutch, or continuous slip device (12) having a pyrolytic carbon composite friction material (108) directly cooled by water or an ethylene glycol/water solution. Coolant of cooling device (12) may be tapped from a radiator (24) for a prime mover (14). The brake, clutch, or continuous slip device includes a plurality of interdigitated friction discs (74, 76) defining confronting friction surfaces (74b, 76B). One or both confronting friction surfaces have the pyrolytic carbon composite friction material bonded thereon. The material preferably has a bulk density of 0.7 to 1.2 grams/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus H. Collins, Peter S. Winckler
  • Patent number: 4771822
    Abstract: An automobile tire and brake cooling system using water to effect cooling comprises: a water tank located in the trunk; first valve control means located in the passenger compartment for actuating first water control valve means associated with the tank; first conduit means for directing water from the first water control valve means to water spray ejection means located adjacent to the front upper quadrants of the front and rear tire surfaces; second conduit means for directing water from the first water control valve means to water stream ejection means located adjacent to the brake housings of the front and rear wheels; third conduit means for directing water from the first conduit means to water spray ejection means located in front of the radiator; second valve actuating front located second water control valve means associated with the second conduit means; fourth conduit means for directing water from the second water control valve means to front located preheating means associated with the engine exha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventor: Ricardo A. Barbosa
  • Patent number: 4736821
    Abstract: A fluid cooled brake for a wheel mounted for rotation about a spindle at one end of an axle and including a plurality of annular friction discs mounted within a closed annular chamber between the wheel and the end of the axle. A pump is provided having a suction line to a sump of lubricating fluid within the axle. The pump draws lubricating fluid from the sump and delivers the fluid through a first fluid passage to the chamber to circulate around the friction discs and return through a second fluid passage to the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Ries
  • Patent number: 4655326
    Abstract: An axle outer end is disclosed including a planetary reduction drive unit and a multiple disc friction brake. The friction brake includes a plurality of rotatable and non-rotatable discs for selectively interconnecting the ring and sun gears of the planetary drive unit. The friction brake also includes a piston for engaging and moving the discs into frictional contact with the planetary drive unit carrier to restrain rotation of the sun gear and output member. The piston is contained in a chamber formed by a portion of the planetary drive unit ring gear and a portion of an adapter secured to the outer end of a non-rotatable spindle. An improved oil circulation system is incorporated in the axle outer end to supply oil to the disc stack and permit the oil to return the main oil sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Carl D. Osenbaugh
  • Patent number: 4576256
    Abstract: A hub for a wheel having a built-in brake assembly and suitable for use in ndustrial vehicles, agricultural machinery, civil engineering plant and materials handling plant comprises a stub axle on which is rotatably mounted a hollow body forming a casing to contain a lubricating and cooling fluid. A brake assembly with fixed and rotatable disks is disposed within the hollow body inside an annulus constrained to rotate with the stub axle. Associated with the annulus is a scooping device adapted to provide communication between the interior of the annulus and the annular space between the annulus and the hollow body, for improved supply of the lubricating and cooling fluid to the interior of the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: SO.M.A. Europe Transmissions Societe Nouvelle Mecanique et Automobile
    Inventor: Leonce Rogier
  • Patent number: 4560048
    Abstract: Liquid cooling system for a multiple plate friction clutch. The cooling system provides cooling liquid completely around the contact surfaces of the friction discs and driving members of the clutch at the time the clutch is disengaged or during engagement of the clutch and the driven members of the clutch are stationary or rotating only slowly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Flotow, William H. Sink
  • Patent number: 4557363
    Abstract: The present cooling system provides a limited flow rate to the clutches during disengagement and provides additional cooling flow to the clutches during partial engagement and controls the pressure level of the fluid from the source of cooling fluid by operation of a valve mechanism which is responsive to a control mechanism. Upon full engagement, the valve mechanism automatically reduces the volume of cooling fluid to the clutches and simultaneously reduces the pressure level of the cooling flow from the source of cooling fluid. This cooling system provides the needed volume of cooling fluid during partial engagement of the clutches and also reduces the volume of cooling fluid during disengagement to reduce drag forces while further reducing the volume of cooling fluid during full engagement to conserve horsepower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Golan
  • Patent number: 4503952
    Abstract: A rotary shock absorber whose rotor and stator have interfitting annular disks or coaxial cylinders and which receives a dilatant copolymer dispersion. The shock absorber is especially effective for use between a support arm and wheel for the track of a tracked vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Krauss-Maffei Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Hesse
  • Patent number: 4483422
    Abstract: An electric motor has a shaft projecting from an end bearing bracket, and an annular hub member is clamped to the projecting portion of the motor shaft. The hub member supports a plurality of clutch discs and defines an impeller inlet for receiving a liquid coolant or oil which is pumped by the hub member through ports outwardly between the discs. A housing includes a section which mounts on the motor bearing bracket, and the housing has an intermediate section which supports a plurality of non-rotating brake plates. The brake plates interfit between the brake discs and are pressed together with the discs in response to axial movement of a non-rotating annular piston surrounding the hub member and supported by the intermediate section of the housing. The housing also has an end closure portion which directs the oil from the discs and plates to the inlet within the hub member and is effective to dissipate heat from the recirculating oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Force Control Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Halsey W. Cory
  • Patent number: 4475636
    Abstract: A simplified water brake unit has greater capacity per unit weight and is readily maintained due to a two piece readily disassembled housing, one part of which provides a firm, accurate support for the stator, and which also has longer seal life because of a seal chamber bleed which relieves the high pressure from behind the inner high pressure seal by providing a communication to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1984
    Assignee: Baylor Company
    Inventor: Jayanth P. Rao
  • Patent number: 4454935
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic brake apparatus having multiple stage rotor and stator assemblies housed within a main body. A shaft is journaled to the main body and connected to the rotors, so that power input to the shaft is dissipated by the reaction of the hydraulic fluid contained within the main body. An impeller connected to the shaft forces fluid to flow outwardly to the outer marginal end thereof where the fluid is directed across a stator. From the stator the fluid is forced against the turbine which also is affixed to the shaft in spaced relation respective to the impeller. The turbine forces fluid to flow against a housing stator. The fluid returns through the main body to the impeller, or through a cooler and then back into the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: Oime, Inc.
    Inventor: Dale H. Pryor
  • Patent number: 4440272
    Abstract: A hydraulic retarder, especially for an automotive vehicle, comprising a control valve which regulates the pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the decelerator which can be connected to a heat exchanger for dissipating the thermal energy generated by the retardation of the vehicle. According to the invention a regulating valve is additionally provided for controlling the maximum pressure in dependence upon temperature and in response to a temperature sensor. The device thus limits the maximum retarder effect in accordance with the temperature of the hydraulic medium and hence the utility of the heat exchanger to dissipating the braking energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Gerold Bieber
  • Patent number: 4380179
    Abstract: In an automatic transmission including sun gears, ring gears and a carrier for rotatably supporting a pinion on a shaft, the pinion being adapted to mesh with the sun gear and the ring gear; the improvements comprising a hub extending radially outside of the ring gear and having a friction surface in part of the outer peripheral wall thereof and external spline teeth provided in the other part of the outer peripheral wall, the hub being attached to the carrier; a friction element adapted to engage a cylindrical outer race fitted on internal spline-teeth of a transmission housing and the friction face of the hub; a plurality of first friction plates axially, slidably fitted on the external spline teeth of the hub; and a plurality of second friction plates axially, slidably fitted on the internal spline-teeth of the transmission housing, the first and second friction plates disposed one after another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seitoku Kubo, Koujiro Kuramochi, Tatsuo Kyushima
  • Patent number: 4379066
    Abstract: Lubricating oils containing oil soluble hydroxyalkyl alkanoates have been found to reduce brake noise for oil-immersed disc brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1983
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Vernon R. Small, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4358001
    Abstract: A rotor disc assembly of a wet disc brake is driven from a shaft with discs thereof movable axially along the shaft. Stator discs are splined to a stationary housing and are interleaved with members of the rotor assembly. Stator disc structure between each adjacent pair of rotor discs each has low impedance flow channels radially extending from the outer to inner peripheries of the stator discs for return flow of oil pumped from the region of the shaft to the periphery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Roger A. Iverson
  • Patent number: 4269289
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple, wet, friction disc brake adapted for use as a retarder in an unshown drivetrain of a land vehicle. The retarder includes a non-rotating outer housing, a centrally disposed drive shaft extending through the housing and rotatably supported therein by bearings, a plurality of axially moveable stator and rotor brake discs concentrically disposed about the shaft and alternately secured against rotation relative to the non-rotating housing and the shaft, a fluid actuated piston for squeezing the discs together, passage means defined by a portion of the non-rotating housing disposed about the outer periphery of the stator and rotor discs for introducing a pressurized cooling liquid to the outer periphery of the stator and rotor discs and flow grooves formed in the friction sides of the stator discs for the flow of the pressurized cooling liquid radially inward through the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Peter S. Winkler
  • Patent number: 4207969
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled heavy duty brake assembly including a number of rotor discs for cooperation with stator discs for braking an external rotating body connected to the rotor discs which is to be selectively braked. The rotors and stators are normally biased apart, but are movable toward each other along the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor discs in order to effect braking. The casing for the assembly is closed and includes heat exchanging portions around the periphery thereof, including fins extending inwardly toward the axis of rotation of the rotor discs, and the casing is filled to less than capacity with cooling liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: Robert Howell Industries
    Inventor: Robert V. Howell
  • Patent number: 4187931
    Abstract: A service brake actuating assembly is effective to bring friction material into contact with the opposite sides of a rotating disc by urging such elements in an axial direction toward a reaction wall. A compact parking and emergency brake actuating assembly extends through the wall and is alternately effective to also clampingly engage the disc by urging such elements in the opposite axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: David J. Balzer
  • Patent number: 4173269
    Abstract: In a multiple disc wet brake or clutch of the type having a disc pack wherein the plurality of alternate discs, that have projections extending radially inward for operative interconnection with a rotatable hub, are provided with a plurality of equiangularly spaced circumferential locating tangs extending radially outward from the peripheral outer surface of these discs, for locating these discs relative to the housing inner peripheral surface so as to permit the removal of the rotatable hub without causing substantial misalignment between the radially inward extending disc projections and the corresponding external splines on the rotatable hub to allow subsequent reinsertion of the rotatable hub into the disc pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventor: George A. Craig
  • Patent number: 4144955
    Abstract: In this device, two stacks of discs form at least two sub-assemblies separated by an axially movable intermediate pressure disc, the first of these sub-assemblies being located between the intermediate pressure disc and a stop integral with one of the bodies, whereas the second is located between the intermediate pressure disc and an end pressure disc also axially movable, the control means exerting their action in the direction of the stop, first of all on the two pressure discs so as to cancel out the clearances between the discs of the first sub-assembly, then on the end pressure disc so as to cancel out the clearances between the discs of the second sub-assembly and finally on the whole of the discs of both sub-assemblies so as to compress them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Etudes et Recherches Avancees
    Inventor: Michel C. Garnier
  • Patent number: 4134483
    Abstract: Transmission having a number of lubricant cooled friction engaging means, a majority of which at any time are nonselected for operation, and further having flow blocking sleeves individual to the friction engaging means, each providing a friction coupling in the power path for shift purposes. Means is provided therein to direct coolant flow at lo rate to each friction coupling when such coupling is not engaged, and to increase flow to hi rate thereto when it is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventor: Joachim Horsch
  • Patent number: 4114734
    Abstract: A continuous brake (retarder) for vehicles, especially for heavy trucks or the like, which utilizes a hydrodynamic circulatory system in the form of a driven hydrodynamic coupling whose operating fluid is conducted into an external circulatory system by way of a cooler or radiator; a separate cooler is coordinated to the hydrodynamic coupling which serves at the same time as feed pump for the operating fluid; additionally, the hydrodynamic coupling is operatively connected with a turbine in the external circulatory system which serves for the drive of a separate fan coordinated to the separate cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1973
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Friedrich Bultmann
  • Patent number: 4113067
    Abstract: Fluid passages machined in the annular brake piston and in the outboard brake ring of a wet disc brake system allows the circulation of cooling and lubricating fluid. An annular disc brake will deliver cooling fluid to the circumferential periphery of the brake disc operating cavity where the fluid relief passages machined in the annular brake piston and in the outboard brake ring will allow the passage of this fluid out of the brake disc operation cavity thus preventing the stagnation of cooling fluid in the brake disc operating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: International Harvester Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Coons, Richard G. Hennessey, John Woffenden
  • Patent number: 4069906
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus is disclosed for drives of the type having a housing containing a sump for a fluid which is heated by the generation of heat energy during operation of the drive. The heat energy is generated by relatively moving torque transmitting members, such as clutch and brake units, connected between the drive input and output shafts. A centrifugal pump located within the housing below the level of the fluid is driven by the input shaft and circulates fluid to a heat exchanger disposed about the outside surface of the housing. The cooled fluid is returned to the fluid sump and a brake reservoir which assures an ample supply of fluid to the brake at a relatively low pressure. A fan carried by the input shaft blows ambient air over the heat exchanger and exterior surface of the housing to enhance the level of heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1978
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Handke