Abstract: A clutch/brake for alternatively connecting a rotatably driven shaft to a driving member and a stationary member has clutch plates operatively connecting the driven shaft and the driving member and brake plates operatively connecting the driven shaft and the stationary member. A clutch operator for urging the clutch plates together is connected to rotate with the driving member. A brake operator for urging the brake plates together is connected to rotate with the driven shaft. A linkage connects the clutch and brake operators to move axially together and includes a bearing which transmits axial thrust loads statically when the clutch is engaged. An annular pneumatic piston moves the clutch and brake operators in a first axial direction to engage the clutch, is connected to the outer bearing race and rotates with the driving member. Brake springs bias the clutch and brake operators in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction to engage the brake and are connected to the inner bearing race.

Abstract: A clutch/brake apparatus for alternatively connecting a driven shaft to a driving member and to a stationary member which distributes the mass of its components to maximize the effective rotational inertia of the driving member and to minimize the effective rotational inertia of the driven shaft. Sets of interleaved brake plates are respectively mounted to the driven shaft and the stationary member and sets of interleaved clutch plates are respectively mounted to the driven shaft and the driving member. A clutch operator for urging the clutch plates together when it is moved in a first axial direction is connected to rotate with the driving member and a brake operator for urging the brake plates together when it is moved in a second axial direction is rotationally stationary and is connected by a bearing to move axially with the clutch operator.