Abstract: A torque limiting clutch or coupler is provided for implementation between input and output shafts. A spring biased friction stack assembly establishes a characteristic breakaway torque of the unit. A torque modifying plate is fixed to a pressure plate and, in conjunction with an end plate, defines a ring-like cavity having a bladder therein filled with a fluid. As the torque limiting clutch or coupler begins to rotate, the fluid within the bladder is forced outwardly by centrifugal force and, as the speed increases, the restriction on the fluid radially causes it to begin to move axially, causing the pressure plate to act against the spring bias in one embodiment and to supplement the spring bias in another embodiment, regulating the characteristic breakaway torque as a function of rotational speed.

Abstract: A compact dry power takeoff clutch unit is adapted for interconnection with a flywheel of an engine. A housing is adapted for attachment to the engine and has a plurality of interleaved friction and separator disks maintained therein. A drive ring is connected to the friction disks and to the flywheel for driving the friction disks by the engine. An output shaft is interconnected with the separator disks. A pair of anti-friction bearings are received by the housing and provide the sole support for the output shaft. A pressure plate is configured to be nestingly received by a cup-shaped flywheel in order to maintain certain standardized dimensional constraints. Actuation of the clutch is achieved by a rotary union interposed between the pair of support bearings. A quiescent position for the separator disks is achieved by the mounting of the separator disks between the head and spring of shoulder bolts secured to an output hub mounted upon the output shaft.

Abstract: A compact dry power takeoff clutch unit is adapted for interconnection with a flywheel of an engine. A housing is adapted for attachment to the engine and has a plurality of interleaved friction and separator disks maintained therein. A drive ring is connected to the friction disks and to the flywheel for driving the friction disks by the engine. An output shaft is interconnected with the separator disks. A pair of anti-friction bearings are received by the housing and provide the sole support for the output shaft. A pressure plate is configured to be nestingly received by a cup-shaped flywheel in order to maintain certain standardized dimensional constraints. Actuation of the clutch is achieved by a rotary union interposed between the pair of support bearings. A quiescent position for the separator disks is achieved by the mounting of the separator disks between the head and spring of shoulder bolts secured to an output hub mounted upon the output shaft.

Abstract: A process for achieving engagement of a power source with a high inertia load by use of a clutch provides for the sequential engagement of the clutch until the speed of the power source drops to a first threshold, at which time the clutch is disengaged until the speed of the power source recovers to a second threshold. The process is repeated until the power source operates above the first threshold for a set period of time. The process may be terminated, leaving the clutch either engaged or disengaged, after a certain number of sequential attempts at engagement and disengagement have been made, or after a certain period of time has elapsed. The invention also relates to a system and associated process by which a microprocessor obtains various data regarding the operational state of a power source, load, and a clutch interposed therebetween. The data includes the speed of the power source and pressure, temperature and filter conditions of the associated clutch.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated power takeoff clutch assembly is rigidly coupled to the flywheel of an engine and has an input hub which serves as a gear to drive auxiliary hydraulic pumps. The input hub is a portion of a wet clutch which is hydraulically actuated through a rotary union connected to an output shaft. The serviceable parts of the clutch are secured to the output shaft and are separably removable from the hydraulic power takeoff assembly for servicing. The clutch is of a multiple disk type. An electronic controller monitors the input and output speeds of the hydraulic power takeoff device and is effective to “bump” the unit to accomodate high inertia loads and to further monitor the operation of the device, such that the clutch thereof serves as a torque limiter.

Abstract: A caliper disk brake includes a brake disk having at least one set of brake pads disposed on opposite sides thereof and connected to a pair of caliper arms. The caliper arm are interconnected with a magnetic actuator consisting of an armature slidingly received by a magnet body. A spring interposed between the armature and magnet body actuates the brake, while an electromagnetic coil releases it. A sealed cavity is provided between the armature and magnet body with a metered and valved vent in communication with the cavity to allow for controlled brake application and instantaneous release. A wear adjustment bolt received a trunion connected to one of the caliper arms and has an end thereof received within a bore of the magnet body maintaining the spring. Coaxially aligned with the wear adjustment bolt a torque adjustment bolt which secures a second trunion receiving the other caliper arm.

Abstract: A multiple disc torque limiting clutch has an output hub in interference fit upon an output shaft. After being so assembled, as by a heat shrink fit, the output hub and shaft can be received by the remainder of the torque limiting clutch, consisting of interleaved friction discs and separator discs maintained between end plates. A pressure plate urges the friction discs and separator discs toward a fixed friction disc which is secured to the output hub. The force upon the pressure plate is attained by a Belleville spring and circumferentially spaced spring cup assemblies.

Abstract: A caliper disk brake for steel mill cranes includes a pair of armatures having an electromagnetic coil and a spring interposed between them to operate in a clamshell fashion. The spring urges the armatures apart, while actuation of the coil urges the armatures together. Each of a pair of caliper arms is pivotally connected to a respective one of the armatures at one end thereof, and has a pressure plate pivotally maintained at an opposite end. The pressure plates are maintained in juxtaposition to wear pads which are axially movable in apertures maintained in a pair of stationary plates. A disk, adapted for interconnection with the shaft of a steel mill crane hoist motor is positioned between the plates and wear pads.

Abstract: A hydrostatic rotary union has a shaft with an axial passage therethrough received within a housing having a radial passage in fluid communication with the axial passage. The shaft and housing have a radial clearance between them which establishes a squeeze film bearing and seal, when in use. End annuluses receive the oil establishing a squeeze film bearing and provide a return path to a supply source. The inner circumferential portion of the housing interfacing with the shaft is preferably of an anti-seizure material, such as bronze. Moreover, the housing and shaft are of materials of different coefficients of thermal expansion, such that excessive heat generated at the interface between the housing and shaft will cause the housing to expand away from the shaft.

Abstract: A hydraulic caliper disk brake (10) according to the present invention includes a caliper base (46) that is supported by a folding triangular base (14) that generally includes a mounting base (30) and a support arm (54). The caliper base (46) is pinned to the mounting base (30) and the support arm (54) such that the caliper base (46) may pivot about the mounting base (30) when the pin connecting the support arm (54) to the mounting base is removed. The configuration allows the caliper assembly (12) to be pivoted out, away from a brake disk (16) such that the friction pads (142, 242) may be easily replaced. The caliper assembly (12) includes a self-activating wear adjuster (172) that functions to maintain a constant brake gap (174) between an active friction pad (142) and the brake disk (16). The caliper assembly (12) also includes a wear indicator in the form of a spring (134) that provides additional force that is fed back to the user when the friction pad (142) is significantly worn.

Abstract: A caliper disk brake for steel mill cranes includes a pair of armatures having an electromagnetic coil and a spring interposed between them to operate in a clamshell fashion. The spring urges the armatures apart, while actuation of the coil urges the armatures together. Each of a pair of caliper arms is pivotally connected to a respective one of the armatures at one end thereof, and has a pressure plate pivotally maintained at an opposite end. The pressure plates are maintained in juxtaposition to wear pads which are axially movable in apertures maintained in a pair of stationary plates. A disk, adapted for interconnection with the shaft of a steel mill crane hoist motor is positioned between the plates and wear pads.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch for use with a hollow shafted motor has an input hub in operative connection with the hollow input shaft. A back plate is disposed at a fixed distance from the input hub. A plurality of interleaved friction disks and separator plates are interposed between the input hub and the back plate. A pressure plate is interposed between the input hub and the interleaved friction disks and separator plates. Spring cup assemblies are operatively interposed between the input hub and the pressure plate, urging the pressure plate toward the back plate and urging the friction disks and separator plates into frictional engagement. An output hub is connected to the friction disks and supported by a bearing from the back plate. An output shaft is connected to the output hub and extends through at least part of the hollow input shaft.

Abstract: A caliper disk brake for steel mill cranes includes a pair of armatures having an electromagnetic coil and a spring interposed between them to operate in a clamshell fashion. The spring urges the armatures apart, while actuation of the coil urges the armatures together. Each of a pair of caliper arms is pivotally connected to a respective one of the armatures at one end thereof, and has a pressure plate pivotally maintained at an opposite end. The pressure plates are maintained in juxtaposition to wear pads which are axially movable in apertures maintained in a pair of stationary plates. A disk, adapted for interconnection with the shaft of a steel mill crane hoist motor is positioned between the plates and wear pads.

Abstract: A compact torque limiting clutch provides spring cup bolt assemblies for interengaging a pressure plate and input flange on opposite sides of a friction flange of an output hub. The spring cup assemblies include bolts employed for securing the clutch elements together, such bolts being restricted from rotating during the assembly process by engagement with noncircular apertures passing through the retainer plate. The torque limiting clutch is of a pancake design, contained between axially displaced planar surfaces defined by an input flange on one side and a pressure plate on the other. In another embodiment of the invention, a keeper plate is coaxially secured to an output hub, with a friction disc fixedly secured therebetween. An input drive flange is rotatably mounted on the keeper plate. A separator disc extends the full diameter of the clutch assembly and has cup-shaped shields extending therefrom, serving as seals and heat dissipating members.

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.

Abstract: An over-running clutch is provided with a cup shaped housing which axially receives a sprag clutch therein. A sprocket is connected to the housing for a low power and low speed input which is coupled to an inner race of the clutch. The outer race of the clutch is connected to an output hub. The sprocket lies within a plane that intersets the clutch assembly between a pair of outboard bearings. Sprags are received within a cavity containing lubricant, such cavity being accessible through a bore in the output adapter. Additionally, the cavity is sealed by means of a seal which may be greased by external access.

Abstract: A compact torque limiting clutch provides spring cup bolt assemblies for interengaging a pressure plate and input plate and input flange on opposite sides of a friction flange of an output hub. The spring cup assemblies include bolts employed for securing the clutch elements together, such bolts being restricted from rotating during the assembly process by engagement with noncircular apertures passing through the retainer plate. The torque limiting clutch is of a pancake design, contained between axially displaced planar surfaces defined by an input flange on one side and a pressure plate on the other.

Abstract: A multiple disc torque limiting clutch is presented. A stack of friction discs are splined to an output hub with a stack of separator discs interposed therebetween and keyed to a housing. Spring cup assemblies are positioned through openings in the separator discs to urge the separator discs into forceful contacting engagement with the friction discs. The spring cup assemblies include a compressed helical spring maintained within a cylindrical member and transmitting the spring force through the cylindrical member against the stack of separator and friction discs. The housing elements are of substantially unitary construction, with no relative movement capable therebetween. A wear indicator passes through the housing and indicates the degree of wear of the disc elements, while clearances between the interior of the clutch and the exterior are maintained at a minimum to provide a substantially explosion proof unit.

Abstract: A torque limiting clutch having one or more friction surfaces placed under pressure by pre-compressed helical springs employed for eliminating adjustment and compensating for wear of the clutch during use. In one embodiment of the invention, the springs are pre-compressed on pins for ease of assembly. An embodiment of the invention also provides for axial locking of input shafts centrally of the input hub, while including an indicator of friction surface wear.