Abstract: A stationary shaft supports a fluid-tight rotatable drum which receives an elongated flexible restraining member. The shaft has a threaded portion which receives an actuating nut connected to rotate with the drum through a detent mechanism. Spaced compression springs extend axially between the nut and a stack of interfitting annular brake disks and brake plates, with the disks splined to the shaft and the plates rotatable with the drum. The stack is immersed in an oil-shear cooling fluid that contacts the drum, and the nut and springs are effective to compress the stack with increasing force in response to rotation of the drum for progressively increasing the resistance torque on the drum as the restraining member is pulled from the drum. The detent mechanism limits the compression force on the stack and the tension force on the restraining member while the drum continues to rotate.

Abstract: A pair of horizontally spaced and horizontally extending part support rails or elongated platens are each guided and supported for vertical movement by a pair of guide and support members having linear bearing blocks mounted on vertical guide rails attached to corresponding vertical housings. A bell crank is pivotally supported adjacent each housing and is pivotally connected to the corresponding bearing block by a first link member. Second and third link members pivotally connect each pair of bell cranks for each platen to each other and to a crank arm mounted on a horizontal crankshaft extending laterally below the platens. A combined electric motor and gear reducer have an output shaft coupled to one end portion of the crankshaft, and an electric brake unit is connected to the motor shaft. An overtravel arm is also secured to the output shaft of the gear reducer and actuates an overtravel switch connected to control the electric motor.

Abstract: A plurality of flat timing belts each has parallel spaced teeth, and opposite end portions of each belt are attached to a carriage by corresponding relatively adjustable clamping blocks and plates. The belts extend around a common drive sprocket on a drive shaft connected to a drive having a reversible electric motor. The belts also extend around corresponding tail sprockets on a tail shaft, and adjacent tail sprockets are free to rotate relative to each other. A clamping block for each belt is adjusted to obtain the same tension in all belts so that each belt may be operated at its full rated capacity. The belt drive system may be used for transferring or shuttling a plurality of tool trays laterally with respect to a working station at a conveyor assembly line and storage stations on opposite sides of the working station.

Abstract: A plurality of flat timing belts each has parallel spaced teeth, and opposite end portions of each belt are attached to a carriage by corresponding relatively adjustable clamping blocks and plates. The belts extend around a common drive sprocket on a drive shaft connected to a drive having a reversible electric motor. The belts also extend around corresponding tail sprockets on a tail shaft, and adjacent tail sprockets are free to rotate relative to each other. A clamping block for each belt is adjusted to obtain the same tension in all belts so that each belt may be operated at its full rated capacity. The belt drive system may be used for transferring or shuttling a plurality of tool trays laterally with respect to a working station at a conveyor assembly line and storage stations on opposite sides of the working station.

Abstract: This invention relates to a learning programmable limit switch for use in a motion system which provides passive feedback to a controller. The learning programmable limit switch is capable of causing the motion control system to operate in accordance with a user-programmed motion profile. The learning programmable limit switch provides the capability of accurately “learning” and controlling the positions at which a motion system changes velocity, as well as the timing at which the system causes a driven mechanism to, for example, stop. The system is intended for use in variable speed drives, hydraulic, pneumatic drive systems or any system where real time, passive feedback control is desired. In one typical environment, the learning programmable limit switch is connected to an output shaft of a driver. The outputs of the learning programmable limit switch are turned ON/OFF based upon the detected angular position of the output shaft.

Abstract: A plurality of adjacent open-ended flat timing belts each has parallel spaced teeth, and opposite end portions of each belt are connected to a shuttle or carriage platform by corresponding relatively adjustable clamping blocks and plates having teeth engaging the teeth on the belts. The belts extend around a common drive sprocket having engaging teeth and formed as part of a drive shaft connected to a multiple speed drive having reversible electric motors and oil-shear clutch and brake discs. The belts also extend around a tail shaft having corresponding tail sprockets with teeth, and adjacent tail sprockets are free to rotate relative to each other. One of the clamping blocks for each belt is adjusted relative to the platform and the other clamping block for the belt to obtain the same tension in all belts so that each belt may be operated at its full rated capacity.

Abstract: A hub member receives a tapered collect for gripping a drive shaft such as a shaft projecting from an electric motor. The hub member extends into a surrounding cylindrical housing which is secured to rotate with the hub member and carries a set of generally square clutch plates. An annular drive member is supported for relative rotation by the hub member and has an inner portion projecting into the housing to support a set of annular clutch disks which interfit between the clutch plates. The housing encloses oil which circulates between the clutch plates and disks, and a set of rotary seals confine the oil within the housing while providing for rotation of the drive member relative to the hub member and housing.

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.

Abstract: A housing encloses a supply of oil and has opposite end portions supporting axially aligned input and output shafts. Interfitting annular clutch plates and discs provide for connecting the input shaft to the output shaft, and interfitting annular brake plates and discs provide for braking the output shaft to the housing in response to axial movement of a non-rotating oil actuated piston supported within the housing concentrically with the output shaft. Oil recirculating structure is provided within the housing for cooling and lubricating the plates and discs, and a positive displacement high pressure annular pump forms an extension of the housing around the inlet shaft. The pump has inner and outer thin flat rotors and pressurizes a portion of the oil within the housing sufficiently to actuate the piston through the control of a solenoid actuated valve unit mounted on the housing. Flat annular wear plates are spaced to confine the rotors and have arcuate passages adjacent the teeth on the rotors.

Abstract: A two-piece housing having a base section and a closure section, is mounted on a motor or other machine having a projecting shaft, and the housing encloses a series of annular brake discs mounted on a hub member which receives the shaft. The discs interfit between a series of non-rotating annular brake plates supported by the base section of the housing, and the hub member is also effective to circulate cooling oil within the housing and outwardly between the plates and discs. A non-rotating annular thrust plate and a set of circumferentially spaced springs are located adjacent the base section and compress the plates and discs together and against the closure section for braking the shaft. A set of circumferentially spaced solenoids are mounted on the closure housing section and have corresponding armature rods or members which extend axially into the housing to push the thrust plate against the springs when the solenoids are energized to release the plates and discs.

Abstract: A housing encloses a supply of oil and has opposite end portions supporting axially aligned input and output shafts. Interfitting annular clutch plates and discs provide for connecting the input shaft to the output shaft, and interfitting annular brake plates and discs provide for braking the output shaft to the housing in response to axial movement of a non-rotating oil actuated piston supported within the housing concentrically with the output shaft. Oil recirculating passages are provided within the housing for cooling and lubricating the plates and discs, and a positive displacement high pressure annular pump forms an extension of the housing around the inlet shaft. The pump has inner and outer thin flat rotors and pressurizes a portion of the oil within the housing sufficiently to actuate the piston through the control of a solenoid actuated valve unit mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A first input shaft and an output shaft are supported in axial alignment by a housing which contains oil and also supports an annular second input shaft coaxial with the output shaft. The input shafts may be selectively coupled to the output shaft by compressing corresponding clutch sets of interfitting annular plates and discs, and the output shaft may be quickly stopped by compressing a brake set of interfitting annular plates and discs. The brake set is disposed between the two clutch sets, and a pair of non-rotating fluid actuated pistons are arranged between the corresponding clutch sets and the brake set. The output shaft has fluid impeller hub portions for recirculating oil outwardly between the sets of plates and discs and the input shafts are driven by corresponding electric motors or by a single double-ended electric motor.

Abstract: An oil shear clutch-brake unit includes a housing rotatably supporting an input shaft and an output shaft in axial alignment, and the housing encloses a set of interfitting clutch plates and discs for coupling the input shaft to the output shaft and a set of interfitting brake plates and discs for braking the output shaft. A non-rotating actuating member or piston is also enclosed within the housing and is actuated from a neutral position by springs and/or fluid for either clamping the clutch plates and discs or clamping the brake plates and discs. A cooling and lubricating oil is circulated within the housing and between the plates and discs, and the pressure of the fluid for actuating the piston is adjustable for selecting the torque transmitted through the clutch and brake.

Abstract: A pair of clutch-brake units each include a housing confining a cooling oil and rotatably supporting an input shaft and an aligned output shaft with interfitting clutch plates and discs for connecting the aligned shafts and interfitting brake plates and discs for connecting the output shaft to the housing. Each housing also encloses an axially movable non-rotating actuating piston for selectively engaging the clutch and brake plates and discs, and the input shafts of the clutch-brake units are driven continuously by a common electric motor. The output shaft of one clutch-brake unit is connected by a first drive mechanism to raise and lower or reciprocate a vertical shaft supporting a head member which carries a transfer arm, and the output shaft of the other clutch-brake unit is connected by a second drive mechanism to oscillate the vertical shaft, head member and transfer arm.

Abstract: A first input shaft and an output shaft are supported in axial alignment by a housing which contains oil and also supports an annular second input shaft coaxial with the output shaft. The input shafts may be selectively coupled to the output shaft by compressing corresponding clutch sets of interfitting annular plates and discs, and the output shaft may be quickly stopped by compressing a brake set of interfitting annular plates and discs. The brake set is disposed between the two clutch sets, and a pair of non-rotating fluid actuated pistons are arranged between the corresponding clutch sets and the brake set. The output shaft has fluid impeller hub portions for recirculating oil outwardly between the sets of plates and discs and the input shafts are driven by corresponding electric motors or by a single double-ended electric motor.

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.

Abstract: An oil shear clutch-brake unit includes a housing rotatably supporting an input shaft and an output shaft in axial alignment, and the housing encloses a set of interfitting clutch plates and discs for coupling the input shaft to the output shaft and a set of interfitting brake plates and discs for braking the output shaft. A non-rotating piston is also enclosed within the housing and is fluid actuated in both directions from a spring biased neutral position for either clamping the clutch plates and discs or clamping the brake plates and discs. A cooling and lubricating oil is circulated within the housing and between the plates and discs, and the pressure of the fluid for actuating the piston is adjustable for selecting the torque transmitted through the clutch and brake.

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.

Abstract: A rotary centrifuge basket or container is suspended from a center drive shaft depending from a part-spherical bearing assembly mounted on a frame whereby the rotating container may also gyrate about the center point of the bearing. An oil shear clutch-brake unit includes a housing mounted on the frame and has a vertical output shaft formed as an extension of the container drive shaft. An aligned vertical input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and projects upwardly to connect with the vertical drive shaft of an electric motor supported by the housing. A clutch includes a series of annular clutch plates which rotate with the input shaft and interfit between a series of annular clutch discs which rotate with the output shaft. A brake includes a series of brake discs which also rotate with the output shaft and interfit between a series of brake plates connected to the housing.

Abstract: A rotary centrifuge basket or container is suspended from a center drive shaft depending from a part-spherical bearing assembly mounted on a frame whereby the rotating container may also gyrate about the center point of the bearing. An oil shear clutch-brake unit includes a housing mounted on the frame and has a vertical output shaft formed as an extension of the container drive shaft. An aligned vertical input shaft is rotatably supported by the housing and projects upwardly to connect with the vertical drive shaft of an electric motor supported by the housing. A clutch includes a series of annular clutch plates which rotate with the input shaft and interfit between a series of annular clutch discs which rotate with the output shaft. A brake includes a series of brake discs which also rotate with the output shaft and interfit between a series of brake plates connected to the housing.