Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly transmits force to rotate a shaft and to retain the shaft against rotation. The assembly includes a plurality of force transmitting members which transmit force between a piston and a base member. A plurality of springs urge the piston to move relative to the base member. A plurality of spring retainers are disposed between the base member and the piston. Each of the spring retainers includes a plurality of projecting portions extending from the base portion. Each of the springs is telescopically disposed on one of the projecting portions. Each of the force transmitting members is disposed between adjacent spring retainers.

Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly transmits force to rotate a shaft and to retain the shaft against rotation. The assembly includes a plurality of force transmitting members which transmit force between a piston and a base member. A plurality of springs urge the piston to move relative to the base member. A plurality of spring retainers are disposed between the base member and the piston. Each of the spring retainers includes a plurality of projecting portions extending from the base portion. Each of the springs is telescopically disposed on one of the projecting portions. Each of the force transmitting members is disposed between adjacent spring retainers.

Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly is utilized to rotate a shaft and transmit force to retain the shaft against rotation. The clutch-brake assembly includes a wedge member which is disposed in a central opening in a base member. An actuator is operable to move the wedge member relative to the base member. A seal assembly is disposed in the central opening in the base member. A plurality of force transmission members transmit force when a friction surface is pressed against a clutch surface and when a friction surface is pressed against a brake surface. Each of the force transmission members extends around and at least partially encloses a spring. Guide members are advantageously utilized to position components of the clutch-brake assembly relative to each other during formation of the clutch-brake assembly.

Abstract: A clutch-brake assembly is utilized to rotate a shaft and transmit force to retain the shaft against rotation. The clutch-brake assembly includes a wedge member which is disposed in a central opening in a base member. An actuator is operable to move the wedge member relative to the base member. A seal assembly is disposed in the central opening in the base member. A plurality of force transmission members transmit force when a friction surface is pressed against a clutch surface and when a friction surface is pressed against a brake surface. Each of the force transmission members extends around and at least partially encloses a spring. Guide members are advantageously utilized to position components of the clutch-brake assembly relative to each other during formation of the clutch-brake assembly.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a rotatable disc which is movable along its axis of rotation. Brake pads on caliper arms are engageable with opposite sides of the disc. An actuator assembly is operable to move the caliper arms to press the brake pads against opposite sides of the disc. To accommodate movement of the disc along its axis of rotation, the actuator assembly is movable along the axis of rotation of the disc under the influence of force transmitted through the caliper arms to the actuator assembly. The caliper arms have arcuate end surfaces which engage arcuate surfaces on the brake pads.

Abstract: A force transmitting assembly is operable between a plurality of engaged conditions and a disengaged condition in which the force transmitting assembly is ineffective to transmit force. The force transmitting assembly includes a primary piston assembly having annular radially inner and outer piston areas against which fluid pressure is applied to vary the magnitude of the force which can be transmitted by the force transmitting assembly. The force transmitting assembly also includes a secondary piston assembly having radially inner and outer piston areas against which fluid pressure is applied to vary the magnitude of the force which can be transmitted by the force transmitting assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the secondary piston assembly includes two separate pistons. In another embodiment of the embodiment of the invention, the secondary piston assembly includes a single piston having annular radially inner, radially outer, and intermediate piston areas against which fluid pressure is applied.

Abstract: A coupling assembly includes a clutch assembly and a brake assembly. The brake assembly includes an annular piston which is formed as one piece with a base member. An annular cylinder chamber is formed as one piece with a second member and telescopically receives the annular piston. Force transmitting surfaces on the two members engage opposite sides of a friction disk. The annular piston and cylinder extend around the outside of the friction disk to at least partially block a flow of contaminants in a radially inward direction toward the friction disk. Passages are formed in a lower portion of the annular piston to accommodate a flow of cooling fluid and to enable any contaminants which enter the brake assembly to flow out of the brake assembly. The brake assembly is advantageously urged to an engaged condition by spring assemblies which include posts and spring elements which extend into a space between the clutch assembly and a flange portion of a flywheel.

Abstract: A coupling assembly can be used as either a clutch or a brake to transmit force between a pair of elements. The coupling assembly includes an annular base which is connected with one of the elements and has radially inwardly and outwardly facing sides. A plurality of rim segments are disposed in an annular array adjacent to one of the radially facing sides of the base. An annular fluid extensible tube is disposed between the annular array of rim segments and the base. A plurality of friction shoes are disposed in an annular array adjacent to a second radially facing side of the base. The friction shoes are connected with rim segments by side plates. A plurality of springs are disposed between the friction shoes and the base. The springs firmly press the friction shoes against a friction surface connected with the second element to transmit force to retard relative rotation between the two elements.

Abstract: A coupling assembly component transmits force between a pair of elements and dampens the transmission of vibration between the elements. The coupling assembly component includes an annular base which is adapted to be connected with one of the elements. An annular fluid extensible tube is coaxial with the base and is extensible under the influence of fluid pressure in the tube to move friction surfaces into engagement. The tube includes a reinforcing layer which is enclosed by a cover layer formed of an elastomeric material. An annular layer of vibration damping material is molded between and is bonded to the cover layer of the tube and the base. The layer of vibration damping material and cover layer have different vibration damping characteristics. The layer of vibration damping material has a radial extent which is at least twice as great as the radial extent of a portion of the cover layer disposed between the reinforcing layer of the tube and the annular layer of vibration damping material.

Abstract: An improved coupling component includes an annular tube which is inflatable to move friction shoe assemblies into engagement with another component of a coupling. Elastomeric mounting material is connected with the tube and is molded in place against the friction shoe assemblies. The molded elastomeric mounting material extends around torque transmitting elements, such as pins, connected with backing plate of the friction shoe assemblies to connect the elastomeric mounting material with the friction shoe assemblies. When the coupling component is to be constructed, the tube and a plurality of friction shoe assemblies are placed in a mold. The tube is then expanded under the influence of fluid pressure to press elastomeric mounting material against the friction shoe assemblies. Upon application of heat, the elastomeric mounting material is molded around torque transmitting elements connected with the friction shoe assemblies.

Abstract: A fluid operated coupling which includes an inflatable annular tube element of an elastomeric material moves a plurality of aligned friction shoes in a radial direction to effect a torque sustaining clutching or braking engagement. A thermal barrier is provided to retard the transfer of heat from the friction shoes to the annular tube element. The thermal barrier protects the tube element and adds mechanical strength thereto to prevent excessive elongation and extrusion of the tube element between the plurality of friction shoes when the tube element is expanded. The thermal barrier is at least partially imbedded in the exterior surface of the tube element.

Abstract: A coupling assembly which includes an inflatable annular tube, a plurality of friction shoes removably attached to the tube so that the shoes move radially as the tube is inflated and deflated. The shoes include a friction pad bonded to one side of a backing plate and a driving bar also made of friction material bonded to the other side of the backing plate and joined together in a unitary structure. The driving bars fit into grooves formed in the tube to improve torque transfer between the shoes and the tube.

Abstract: A coupling assembly which includes an inflatable annular tube, a plurality of friction shoes removably attached to the tube so that the shoes move radially as the tube is inflated and deflated. The shoes include a friction pad bonded to one side of a backing plate and a driving bar also made of friction material bonded to the other side of the backing plate and joined together in a unitary structure. The driving bars fit into grooves formed in the tube to improve torque transfer between the shoes and the tube.