Abstract: A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided with improved retention of a drive key during shipping, assembly, and operation of the device. The device includes a rotor disposed about an input shaft. The input shaft is disposed about a rotational axis and the rotor and input shaft define opposed keyways. A key is disposed in the keyways and rotatably couples the rotor and input shaft. An armature is disposed about the axis and coupled to an output member and configured for selective engagement with the rotor. In one embodiment, the key and a support member in the device are shaped in a complementary fashion to limit radial and axial movement of the key. In another embodiment, an axial end of the key or rotor is deformed to axially align the axial ends of the key and rotor and limit axial movement of the key.

Abstract: A liquid cooled brake is provided having an improved housing that provides strong yet lightweight structural support. The brake includes end plates disposed about a driven shaft and axially spaced from one another. A plurality of axially extending pins connect the end plates. A friction plate is coupled to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and is axially movable relative to the driven shaft. Another friction plate defines a fluid jacket and is coupled to the pins. The friction plate is fixed against rotation, but axially movable, relative to the pins. A pressure plate is configured for selective movement towards the friction plates. Support columns are disposed radially outwardly of each pin and fixed to the end plates The support columns prevent undue strain on the pins. Ventilated guards may also be located between each pair of columns to limit access to internal working components of the brake.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided having an improved actuator for compressing friction discs coupled to an input ring and an output hub disposed about a rotational axis. The actuator includes a pole structure and a field shell housing a conductor, each with aligned, axially extending, radially spaced inner and outer poles. An armature is coupled for rotation with the input ring, but axially movable relative thereto and axially aligned with an end wall of the pole structure extending between the inner and outer actuator poles. First and second axially spaced actuator discs are disposed radially between the pole structure and the output hub with the first actuator disc rotatably coupled to the pole structure. The discs define cam surfaces along which a plurality of balls move to expand and contract the actuator discs upon relative rotation of the actuator discs.

Abstract: An overrunning clutch is provided having inner and outer members disposed about a rotational axis with the outer member radially outward of the inner member. The clutch further includes a plurality of pins projecting from one of a radially inner surface of the outer member and a radially outer surface of the inner member. The clutch further includes one or more pawls coupled to one of the inner and outer members. Each of the pawls is movable between an engagement position wherein the pawl is engaged with one of the pins to transmit torque between the inner and outer members and a disengagement position wherein the pawl is disengaged from the pin to permit relative rotation of the inner and outer members. In one embodiment, different pawls assume their respective engagement position depending on the rotational direction of the one member.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided that minimizes flux leakage from a magnetic circuit that engages the device. The device includes a rotor and an armature defining opposed engagement surfaces. The rotor, the armature and a field shell disposed on one side of the rotor and housing an electrical conductor comprise members of a magnetic circuit that, upon energization of the conductor, draws the armature into engagement with the rotor. A torque transmission member is coupled to the armature and supported by a bearing. In one embodiment a sleeve is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing. To prevent flux leakage through the torque transmission member, the sleeve has a magnetic permeability that is lower than a magnetic permeability of the members of the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a support cup of the torque transmission member has a radially outwardly turned flange to distance the cup from the rotor.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device having a self-contained wet clutch pack and fluid isolated field shell is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith in the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The field shell is isolated from the fluid in the chamber. Energization of the conductor urges the armature in a first axial direction towards the radially extending wall of said rotor to couple the rotor to the hub for rotation therewith.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device having improved lubrication is provided. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall and a chamber on one side of the wall surrounding said hub and defining a sump containing a fluid. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith within the chamber and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. One or more tubes have an end submerged in the fluid and extend through apertures in the armature. Rotation of said armature draws fluid through the tubes and onto the clutch plates.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided with an integrated rotor and brake disc to simplify design of the device and remove liquids from the device when used in a wet environment. The rotor is configured for rotation about a rotating hub and includes a first member defining one pole of the rotor and a second member defining a second pole of the rotor and a braking surface. The second member is coupled to the first member, but axially movable relative to the first member. During clutch engagement, an electromagnetic circuit used to engage the clutch urges the second member into engagement with the first member for rotation. When the clutch is disengaged, the second member disengages from the first member to create a fluid flow path between the members and engages a brake plate to halt rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device is configured for vertical orientation. The device includes a hub disposed about a rotational axis. A rotor is supported on, and configured for rotation about, the hub and defines a radially extending wall. An armature is supported on the hub for rotation therewith and axially spaced from the wall. Clutch plates are disposed between the rotor wall and armature and rotatably coupled to the rotor or armature. A field shell is disposed on an opposite side of the rotor wall from the armature and houses a conductor. The armature and clutch plates move in a first axial direction towards the rotor wall when the conductor is energized and in a second axial direction when the conductor is subsequently deenergized. At least one of the hub and rotor defines means for limiting movement of a corresponding one of the clutch plates in the second axial direction.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device is provided that minimizes flux leakage from a magnetic circuit that engages the device. The device includes a rotor and an armature defining opposed engagement surfaces. The rotor, the armature and a field shell disposed on one side of the rotor and housing an electrical conductor comprise members of a magnetic circuit that, upon energization of the conductor, draws the armature into engagement with the rotor. A torque transmission member is coupled to the armature and supported by a bearing. In one embodiment a sleeve is disposed radially inwardly of the bearing. To prevent flux leakage through the torque transmission member, the sleeve has a magnetic permeability that is lower than a magnetic permeability of the members of the magnetic circuit. In another embodiment, a support cup of the torque transmission member has a radially outwardly turned flange to distance the cup from the rotor.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch, a brake, or a combination clutch and brake is provided having structure to compensate for wear on braking surfaces. The device includes an armature coupled to an output member and movable between positions of engagement with a rotor and a brake plate. The brake plate is coupled to a stationary field shell that houses a conductor on one side of the rotor opposite the armature and brake plate. The brake plate is axially spaced from the field shell and a removable shim or adjustable spacer is disposed between the brake plate and the field shell. Removal of the shim or adjustment of the spacer permit movement of the brake plate towards the field shell to compensate for wear in any of the clutch or brake engagement surfaces of the device.

Abstract: A releasable backstopping clutch is provided with a safety mechanism to prevent uncontrolled release of the clutch. A support structure is fixed against rotation and releaseably coupled to the one of the inner or outer members of the backstopping clutch. The support structure inhibits rotation of the member when coupled to the member and permits rotation of the member when uncoupled from the member to release the clutch. A sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic associated with movement of the member and a controller is configured to cause recoupling of the support structure and the member if the characteristic meets a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Various torque arm assemblies for a backstopping clutch are provided that enable load sharing among multiple torque arm assemblies, controlled release of load on the torque arm assembly and/or load sensing. The torque arm assembly includes a head member that is connected to an outer race of a backstopping clutch and defines a pair of attachment points. One end of an arm member is pivotally connected to one attachment point of the head member while the other end of the arm member is connected to a stationary structure. A strut extends between the other attachment point of the head member and the arm member. Upon backstopping action in one embodiment, the head member rotates slightly against the force of the strut allowing other torque arm assemblies to receive a portion of the system load. The position of the strut may be adjustable to allow controlled release of the load tension.

Abstract: A rotational coupling device for use as a clutch and/or brake is provided having improved magnetic efficiency and structural integrity. An electrical conduction assembly is disposed within a field shell between radially spaced inner and outer poles of the field shell. The assembly includes a conductor disposed within a shell having a radially extending flange that is disposed proximate the outer pole of the field shell and that is affixed to the field shell at a plurality of points.

Abstract: An industrial brake is provided through which tension and emergency braking are initiated at opposite axial ends of the brake in order to improve packaging and maintenance of the brake and to enable the addition of an emergency brake function to existing tension brakes without substantial modifications to the brake. The brake includes a housing disposed about a driven shaft and friction plates coupled to the housing and the shaft respectively. One friction plate comprises a liquid cooled fluid jacket. One end cap assembly is disposed at one axial end of the housing and provides a tension brake function. Another end cap assembly is disposed at the opposite axial end of the housing and provides an emergency brake function.

Abstract: A fluid jacket for a disc brake is provided that promotes a balanced flow of cooling fluid throughout the fluid jacket to most effectively remove heat from the disc brake. The fluid jacket includes an annular body configured for engagement with a friction surface. The annular body defines a plurality of concentric flow passages. The annular body further defines first and second axial flow passages in fluid communication with first and second flow passages, respectively of the plurality of concentric flow passages, with the first and second flow passage separated by a third concentric flow passage. The annular body further defines a radial flow passage extending between the first and second axial flow passages, and a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the radial flow passage.