Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly includes a torque tube supporting at least one spline configured to receive a torque from one or more stator discs. The spline includes a central member configured to couple to the torque tube and a load member configured to receive the torque. The load member is configured to move relative to the central member from an unloaded position to a loaded position when the load member receives the torque. In examples, the spline includes a flex member biased to return the load member from the loaded position to the unloaded position.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly is configured to compress a brake disc stack to reduce and/or limit rotational motion of a wheel about a wheel axis. The brake assembly is configured to transmit a compression force on the disc stack to a backing plate. The backing plate is configured to transmit the compression force to a torque tube via one or more torque pads. A torque pad includes a pin supported by a support portion of the torque pad. The pin is configured to insert into a support recess of a boss when the boss supports the torque pad. The support portion of the torque pad is resiliently biased, such that the support portion exerts an force on the pin in an inward direction when the pin is displaced in an outward direction opposite the inward direction.

Abstract: In some examples a piston-bushing assembly includes a bushing with an opening and a piston slidably disposed within the bushing. The piston includes a bottom end disposed within the bushing and an exterior end extending a distance outward from the opening of the bushing. The exterior end of the piston is configured to engage with a disc stack of a brake assembly. The piston-bushing assembly also includes an adjuster tube including a first end of the adjuster tube, wherein, when the piston-bushing assembly is in an unactuated state, a length between the first end of the adjuster tube and the bottom end of the piston defines a step-back gap.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly includes a torque tube supporting a plurality of splines including a first spline and a second spline. The first spline has a first stiffness and the second spline has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. The braking system is configured such that, during a braking event and/or other relative motion between the stator disc and the torque tube, the first spline contacts the stator disc prior to the second spline, such that the first spline deflects and/or otherwise deforms before the stator contacts the second spline.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake system is configured to compress a brake disc stack to reduce and/or limit rotational motion of a wheel about a wheel axis. The brake system is configured to transmit a compression force on the disc stack to a plate member, such as a backing plate. The plate member may be configured to transmit the compression force to a support member such as a torque tube via one or more torque pads. The brake system includes a coupling system configured to couple the plate member and the support member. The coupling includes an elastic member configured to exert a force on a pin in a direction opposite the compression force to assist in keeping a locking tail of the pin engaged with the support member.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly includes a torque tube supporting at least one spline configured to receive a torque from one or more stator discs. The spline includes a central member configured to couple to the torque tube and a load member configured to receive the torque. The load member is configured to move relative to the central member from an unloaded position to a loaded position when the load member receives the torque. In examples, the spline includes a flex member biased to return the load member from the loaded position to the unloaded position.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly is configured to compress a brake disc stack to reduce and/or limit rotational motion of a wheel about a wheel axis. The brake assembly is configured to transmit a compression force on the disc stack to a backing plate. The backing plate is configured to transmit the compression force to a pad face of a torque pad, which transmits the compression force to a torque tube. A pad face of the torque pad defines a convex surface configured to cause a magnitude of a force profile on the pad face to decrease as the force profile distributes toward an edge of the torque pad. In examples, the pad face defines a first convex surface configured to reduce the magnitude as the force profile distributes toward a first end and a second convex surface configured to reduce the magnitude as the force profile distributes toward a second end substantially opposite the first end.

Abstract: In some examples a piston-bushing assembly includes a bushing with an opening and a piston slidably disposed within the bushing. The piston includes a bottom end disposed within the bushing and an exterior end extending a distance outward from the opening of the bushing. The exterior end of the piston is configured to engage with a disc stack of a brake assembly. The piston-bushing assembly also includes an adjuster tube including a first end of the adjuster tube, wherein, when the piston-bushing assembly is in an unactuated state, a length between the first end of the adjuster tube and the bottom end of the piston defines a step-back gap.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly is configured to compress a brake disc stack to reduce and/or limit rotational motion of a wheel about a wheel axis. The brake assembly is configured to transmit a compression force on the disc stack to a backing plate. The backing plate is configured to transmit the compression force to a torque tube via one or more torque pads. A torque pad includes a pin supported by a support portion of the torque pad. The pin is configured to insert into a support recess of a boss when the boss supports the torque pad. The support portion of the torque pad is resiliently biased, such that the support portion exerts an force on the pin in an inward direction when the pin is displaced in an outward direction opposite the inward direction.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake assembly includes a torque tube supporting a plurality of splines including a first spline and a second spline. The first spline has a first stiffness and the second spline has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. The braking system is configured such that, during a braking event and/or other relative motion between the stator disc and the torque tube, the first spline contacts the stator disc prior to the second spline, such that the first spline deflects and/or otherwise deforms before the stator contacts the second spline.

Abstract: A method that includes winding a composite fabric around a mandrel to form a plurality of layers defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis, where the composite fabric includes a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and introducing, into at least a portion of the plurality of layers, a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, where the plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake system includes a piston configured to cause a compression of a disc stack. The piston includes a piston body configured to compress a cap face of a piston cap against a pressure plate to cause the compression of the disc stack. The cap face may define a convex surface. The piston cap may be configured such that the convex surface reduces it curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate. In examples, the piston cap is configured to elastically deform to cause the cap face to reduce the curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate.

Abstract: In some examples, a brake system includes a piston configured to cause a compression of a disc stack. The piston includes a piston body configured to compress a cap face of a piston cap against a pressure plate to cause the compression of the disc stack. The cap face may define a convex surface. The piston cap may be configured such that the convex surface reduces it curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate. In examples, the piston cap is configured to elastically deform to cause the cap face to reduce the curvature when the cap face is compressed against the pressure plate.

Abstract: A fiber preform defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis. The fiber preform includes a plurality of layers extending in an axial direction and a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. Each layer of the plurality of layers includes a plurality of elongate fibers. The plurality of elongate fibers include a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in the axial direction and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in the circumferential direction. The fiber preform also includes a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction. The plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers. At least 40% of the plurality of elongate fibers extend substantially in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method that includes winding a composite fabric around a mandrel to form a plurality of layers defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis, where the composite fabric includes a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in an axial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis; and introducing, into at least a portion of the plurality of layers, a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, where the plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A fiber preform defining an annulus extending along a central longitudinal axis. The fiber preform includes a plurality of layers extending in an axial direction and a circumferential direction relative to the longitudinal axis. Each layer of the plurality of layers includes a plurality of elongate fibers. The plurality of elongate fibers include a plurality of elongate axial fibers extending substantially in the axial direction and a plurality of elongate circumferential fibers extending substantially in the circumferential direction. The fiber preform also includes a plurality of radial fibers extending substantially in the radial direction. The plurality of radial fibers mechanically bind one or more adjacent layers of the plurality of layers. At least 40% of the plurality of elongate fibers extend substantially in the axial direction.