Abstract: A rotor for a six-pole electromagnetic clutch includes an outer pole ring and an axially facing disc. The disc is formed with two circumferentially extending and radially spaced rows of circumferentially spaced slots, there being short circumferentially extending bridges between adjacent slots in each row. To strengthen the bridges against failure under high load and heavy wear conditions, a stainless steel reinforcing ring is brazed to the outer pole ring and the disc and transmits torque between the two. The outer edge of the disc thus may be spaced radially inwardly from the outer pole ring to establish an annular air gap which coacts with the two rows of slots to enable the rotor to possess the requisite magnetic characteristics to function in a six-pole clutch.

Abstract: An electromagnetic clutch includes a fixed field shell with a multiple turn coil, a rotor rotatable with and slidable along a splined input shaft, and a rotatable armature disposed in axially opposing relation with the rotor. An internally splined locking ring is coupled to rotate with the armature and is supported to rotate with and slide along a splined output shaft. When the coil is first energized, the armature is drawn into engagement with the rotor by magnetic flux and acts through the locking ring to cause the output shaft to rotate at substantially the same speed as the input shaft. Thereafter, the magnetic flux causes the rotor and the armature to move axially as a unit toward the field shell so as to shift the locking ring into meshing engagement with the input shaft and thereby couple the output shaft for rotation with the input shaft via the splined coupling.

Abstract: An electrically controlled brake assembly for a vehicle wheel of the type in which an operating arm is mounted between its ends to turn about a pivot on a backing plate and carries at least one electromagnet on one of its ends. Two downwardly projecting tongues are formed on the lower end of the pivoted operating arm of the brake assembly and ride in a channel defined by a guide which is attached to the backing plate of the assembly, the tongues and the guide coacting to prevent the operating arm from cocking on its pivot during braking.