Abstract: An improved constricting drum brake assembly 10 having friction elements 32 removably attached to an outer reaction surface 40 about the periphery of a cylindrical drum 26 a plurality of ventilated shoes 28 situated within a coupling component 12 and constructed to engage the friction elements 32 upon inflation of an expandable flexible tube 30 transfers heat from the drum generated during braking action.

Abstract: A drum with replaceable shield elements for a constricting brake assembly and improved constricting drum brake assembly with replaceable shield elements for transferring heat from the brake and providing wear resistance for the drum.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in transmitting force includes a housing which at least partially encloses a rotatable disc. The housing has a plate portion with an annular force transmitting surface which is engagable with the rotatable disc. A cooling fluid channel is at least partially defined by a side of the plate portion opposite from the force transmitting surface. A plurality of indentations disposed in an inner surface 60b of the force transmitting surface of the plate portion create turbulent and secondary flow in a path of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel. A cooling fluid inlet includes a passage having a portion with a large cross section connected in fluid communication with a radially outer portion of the cooling fluid channel. A portion of the inlet passage having a small cross section is connected in fluid communication with a radially inner portion of the cooling fluid channel. Optional ribs extend across the radially inner and outer portions of the cooling fluid channel.

Abstract: A braking system includes at least one rotating disc and at least one brake disc. A brake disc wear plate is configured for retarding engagement with a rotating disc brake pad. Each brake disc has an annular coolant cavity associated with two inlet ports spaced apart 180° and two outlet ports spaced apart 180°. Each outlet port is spaced 90° from an adjacent inlet port. Each port leads to a respective radial channel. The channels are in open flow communication with each other. Inlet port coolant received into an inlet channel flows in both angular directions toward the outlet ports. Heated coolant gathered at an outlet channel is a mixture of coolant received from both inlet channels. Each inlet channel includes a stepped configuration to divert additional coolant to the outermost portion of the coolant cavity, which portion underlies the outermost (and hottest) portion of the wear plate.

Abstract: A pneumatic expander brake/clutch having a first power transmission member as a drum with an annular friction surface on the outer periphery. Arcuate backing block segments are circumferentially closely spaced and adjacent about the drum friction surface. The backing blocks have brake friction pads on the radially inner surface. An inflatable expander ring surrounds the backing blocks and upon inflation forces the blocks radially inward and the pads against the drum friction surface. Baffles are provided on the end of the backing blocks and extend into the spaces between circumferentially adjacent blocks to form a tortuous path for heat emanating from the drum friction surface in a radially outer direction. The baffles insulate the inflatable expander from heat which permits the drum friction surface to operate at a higher temperature, and power transmission/dissipation without overheating the expander.

Abstract: A disc brake having one or multiple axially movable rotor discs with annular friction surfaces disposed axially between an annular piston in an annular pressure cavity formed in a housing and annular reaction plate attached to the piston. Friction pads are provided on the reaction plate and also on an axially movable annular reaction disc disposed between the rotor discs. A positioning plate is disposed between the piston and rotor discs and has axially movable poppets thereon, each with a friction pad for contacting the adjacent rotor disc. Individual springs on each poppet bias the poppet pads, rotor discs and friction pads axially together to provide a desired initial braking torque. Upon fluid pressure applied in the piston cavity, the housing moves the positioning plate to move the poppets to release braking torque.

Abstract: A drum with replaceable shield elements for a constricting brake assembly and improved constricting drum brake assembly with replaceable shield elements for transferring heat from the brake and providing wear resistance for the drum.

Abstract: A disc brake having one or multiple axially movable rotor discs with annular friction surfaces disposed axially between an annular piston in an annular pressure cavity formed in a housing and annular reaction plate attached to the piston. Friction pads are provided on the reaction plate and also on an axially movable annular reaction disc disposed between the rotor discs. A positioning plate is disposed between the piston and rotor discs and has axially movable poppets thereon, each with a friction pad for contacting the adjacent rotor disc. Individual springs on each poppet bias the poppet pads, rotor discs and friction pads axially together to provide a desired initial braking torque. Upon fluid pressure applied in the piston cavity, the housing moves the positioning plate to move the poppets to release braking torque.

Abstract: A pneumatic expander brake/clutch having a first power transmission member as a drum with an annular friction surface on the outer periphery. Arcuate backing block segments are circumferentially closely spaced and adjacent about the drum friction surface. The backing blocks have brake friction pads on the radially inner surface. An inflatable expander ring surrounds the backing blocks and upon inflation forces the blocks radially inward and the pads against the drum friction surface. Baffles are provided on the end of the backing blocks and extend into the spaces between circumferentially adjacent blocks to form a tortuous path for heat emanating from the drum friction surface in a radially outer direction. The baffles insulate the inflatable expander from heat which permits the drum friction surface to operate at a higher temperature, and power transmission/dissipation without overheating the expander.

Abstract: A braking system includes at least one rotating disc, and at least one brake disc having a front face and a rear face. The brake disc has at least four inner chambers disposed therein. Each of the at least four inner chambers has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and defines a liquid pathway. At least one biasing element is configured to move the front face of the at least one brake disc into contact with the at least one rotating disc.

Abstract: A braking system includes at least one rotating disc, and at least one brake disc having a front face and a rear face. The brake disc has at least four inner chambers disposed therein. Each of the at least four inner chambers has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and defines a liquid pathway. At least one biasing element is configured to move the front face of the at least one brake disc into contact with the at least one rotating disc.

Abstract: A braking system includes at least one rotating disc and at least one brake disc. A brake disc wear plate is configured for retarding engagement with a rotating disc brake pad. Each brake disc has an annular coolant cavity associated with two inlet ports spaced apart 180° and two outlet ports spaced apart 180°. Each outlet port is spaced 90° from an adjacent inlet port. Each port leads to a respective radial channel. The channels are in open flow communication with each other. Inlet port coolant received into an inlet channel flows in both angular directions toward the outlet ports. Heated coolant gathered at an outlet channel is a mixture of coolant received from both inlet channels. Each inlet channel includes a stepped configuration to divert additional coolant to the outermost portion of the coolant cavity, which portion underlies the outermost (and hottest) portion of the wear plate.

Abstract: A clutch assembly with a first drum clutch and a second drum clutch supported by an adapter hub and arranged so that the second clutch is disposed concentrically inside the first clutch. Each drum clutch has an inflatable tube and a plurality of friction shoes disposed on the inflatable tube. Arranging two drum clutches concentrically increases the torque capacity of the clutch assembly without increasing its footprint.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for use in transmitting force includes a housing which at least partially encloses a rotatable disc. The housing has a plate portion with an annular force transmitting surface which is engagable with the rotatable disc. A cooling fluid channel is at least partially defined by a side of the plate portion opposite from the force transmitting surface. A plurality of indentations disposed in an inner surface 60b of the force transmitting surface of the plate portion create turbulent and secondary flow in a path of flow of cooling fluid through the cooling fluid channel. A cooling fluid inlet includes a passage having a portion with a large cross section connected in fluid communication with a radially outer portion of the cooling fluid channel. A portion of the inlet passage having a small cross section is connected in fluid communication with a radially inner portion of the cooling fluid channel. Optional ribs extend across the radially inner and outer portions of the cooling fluid channel.