Abstract: A device for enhancing the cooling of a friction disc according to the preferred embodiment of the teachings of the present invention is shown for use with a rotational control apparatus shown in its preferred form as a brake. Due to the rotation of the friction disc, a forward flow of air is created by air flowing into entry ports into an air cooling chamber formed in the friction disc and past the periphery of the friction disc to the atmosphere. The present invention directs cooling air radially inward into the friction disc at least in one radial segment of the friction disc at a time in a direction counter to the forward flow of air to enhance the cooling of the friction disc especially at relatively low RPM. Specifically, the device of the present invention includes in its most preferred form a wire guard housing including a plurality of circular wires which are arranged in a parallel spaced relation and secured to the periphery of the external housing in which the friction disc is mounted for rotation.

Abstract: A dual-rotary union, rotational isolation adapter according to the teachings of the present invention is disclosed bridging between a rotary union in fluid communication with a source of fluid pressure and a rotation control apparatus portion rotatable with respect to a shaft. In the present invention, an adapter body is rotatably and removeably secured to the end of the shaft. In its most preferred form, the adapter body is rotatably mounted by a pin threadably received in the end of the shaft and rotatably mounted by a bearing received within a first cavity formed in the adapter body. In its most preferred form, the rotary union is received within a second cavity formed in the adapter body opposite the first cavity. Thus, the adapter body is rotatable with respect to and rotatably isolated from the source of fluid pressure by the rotary union.

Abstract: A combination clutch-brake is shown including a housing having an output shaft rotatably mounted therein. A first hub having a first friction disc with a friction lining thereon and connected thereto is slideably mounted on the output shaft and rotatable therewith. A single annular piston is slideably mounted in a cylinder formed in the housing with a bearing interposed between the annular piston and the first hub allowing the hub to rotate radially within the annular piston. An annular spring housing having an annular backing portion with a friction lining connected thereto is fixedly mounted within and carried by the housing axially with respect to the piston. The spring housing has a series of spaced springs mounted thereon in urging contact with the piston whereby the friction lining of the spring housing backing portion contacts the first friction disc for braking of the output shaft when there is no fluid pressure in the cylinder.

Abstract: An external, multi-caliper brake for positive torque controlling as well as for controlling the rotation of a shaft is shown in the preferred brake embodiment of this invention as having a hub arranged to be mounted to the shaft with a longitudinally centrally located, finned friction disc mounted to the hub. A brake housing supports multiple brake calipers which are shown as including diaphragm operated, fluid pressure actuated pistons carrying brake pads which are caused to frictionally engage with the friction disc to rotationally control the shaft. The preferred friction disc is formed of two opposed, interlaced, internally finned component discs to create a serpentine, radial and circumferential, air cooling path for the friction disc and provide better heat transfer and brake efficiency. Another embodiment includes double fins to better cool not only the friction disc but the external calipers themselves.

Abstract: A device for shaft alignment in a clutch or brake assembly is shown according to the teachings of the present invention. A quick demount bushing for receipt upon the shaft is provided having an outer tapered surface for receipt in an inner tapered bore formed in the assembly. The present invention further includes a shaft mount for receipt upon the shaft and into an axial bore of the assembly for holding the shaft in axial alignment with the assembly during placement of the quick demount bushing in the assembly whereby the friction surfaces are parallely disposed and normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft mount according to the teachings of the present invention is formed of a one piece bushing have a fixed thickness in the radial direction and also in the axial direction.

Abstract: A hub for a clutch having a bore and an apparatus for connecting the bore of the hub to a shaft end having a threaded axial hole and disconnecting the hub from the shaft, the improvement in the apparatus for connection and disconnection of the hub from the shaft including the hub having a stop shoulder formed in the bore and a bolt having a recess in the head thereof together with a mounting washer positioned against the stop shoulder. A bolt is positioned through the washer with the head of the bolt in rotational contact with the mounting washer. A containment ring is secured to the mounting washer to prevent displacement of the bolt head from the mounting washer. A bolt containment ring is secured in the bore of the hub adjacent the containment ring to prevent displacement of the bolt, mounting washer and containment ring from the bore whereby the bolt may be engaged with the threaded hole of the shaft to thereby removeably mount the hub on the shaft end.

Abstract: A caliper brake including a base having a single pole extending therefrom with a pair of identically formed opposed arms pivotally mounted on the pole. On one end of each of the arms is pivotally mounted a brake shoe, and the other ends of the arms have an air bladder interposed therebetween for moving the brake shoes together. Each of the arms carries an adjustable pin engageable with a central stop pin mounted on the base and extending centrally between the arms for orienting the arms relative to a disc positioned between the shoes for braking of the disc. An air bladder is mounted between the other ends of the arms for pivoting the arms and moving the brake shoes together, the bladder having an intrinsic spring return properties which separate the brake shoes when the air bladder is deactivated.

Abstract: A fluid disengaged and spring urged brake including a hub having a friction ring mounted thereon with a spring housing in which the hub is rotatably mounted. The spring housing has formed therein a multiplicity of cavities in each of which is mounted a coil spring. A friction facing mounting plate with friction facing thereon is secured to torque pins extended freely through holes slidably mounted on a piston secured to the spring housing. The friction facing mounting plate has a hole extending radially therethrough and the friction facing has grooves formed in the face thereof whereby air pressure supplied through from the hole of the mounting plate passes from the same through the grooves of the friction facing to thereby cool the friction interfaces of the engaging surfaces of the friction ring and the friction facing of the mounting plate.