Abstract: A vented rotor for caliper disc brakes and the like includes an outer friction portion having two ring sections with a plurality of radially extending ribs extending therebetween. The ribs include support ribs extending from the hat wall, and secondary ribs space radially from the hat wall. The support ribs and secondary ribs fixedly interconnect the ring sections in a mutually parallel, spaced apart relationship in such a manner that the inner diameter of each the ring section is spaced apart from the hat wall. Vents are formed between the support ribs and secondary ribs. The vents have a constant cross sectional area along their length to enhance the airflow therethrough. As a result, cooling air is permitted to flow into the vents between the inboard and the outboard ring sections from both the inboard and outboard sides of the outer friction portion of the rotor, providing enhanced overall air flow past the ring sections.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor (10; 50) provides two oppositely-facing annular friction surfaces (20, 22). The rotor (10; 50) comprises a first portion (16) which provides one of said annular surfaces (20), and a second portion (18) which provides the other of said annular surfaces (22). The first and second portions (16, 18) ar arranged in spaced parallel relationship and are joined by vanes (32) between which are defined cooling ducts (34). The ducts (34) extend radially of the rotor (10; 50) and are arranged so that, as the rotor (10; 50) is rotated, air passes through the ducts (34) and acts to cool the rotor (10; 50). In order to increase cooling efficiency, the transverse cross-sectional area of each duct (34) decreases progressively between an inlet (36) to the duct (34) and an intermediate region (40) thereof and increases between said intermediate region and an outlet (38) of the duct (34).

Abstract: A disc brake rotor comprises mounting portion, a first friction portion which provides an annular friction surface, a second friction portion which provides the other of annular friction surface, a connecting portion which joins the mounting portion to the first friction portion, and vanes which extend between the friction portions and support the second friction portion. The vanes define cooling ducts extending radially outwardly of the rotor. The first and the second friction portions vary in thickness in radial directions, the first friction portion having its greatest thickness at a radius which is greater than the radius at which the second friction portion has its greatest thickness.

Abstract: In a brake disk for rail vehicle brake systems, a friction ring is made of a light metal such as aluminum (aluminum alloys), etc. to reduce weight. In order to reduce the weight further by approximately an additional 10%, the hub that supports the friction ring and is connected with the shaft of the rail vehicle is also made of light metal, such as aluminum. It is necessary to keep the temperature of such hubs below 120-140.degree. C. to prevent the shrink or press fit between the hub and shaft from loosening. To prevent such heat transmission, heat insulating layers are inserted between the inner circumference of the friction ring connected with the hub preferably by bolts. In the vicinity of the bolts, these layers can consist of insulating disks, insulating plates, or continuous insulating rings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brake device comprising a number of brake discs, brake pads and brake pad holders being arragned for mutual co-operation after axial operation by means of actuators for braking. The brake pads are being carried by the brake pad holders that are connected to a first frame member. Ring shaped brake discs are carried by a second frame member. Brake pad holders and brake discs ate axially displaceable journalled relative to each other. The two frame members are arranged to be braked relative to each other actuation of axially acting actuators. In order to provide efficient cooling of the parts that comprises the brake, there are a number of passages provided in the brake drum for leading air internally to the brake system when the drum and the wheel rotates in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A rotary member in the form of a sprocket or a brake disc for transmitting a drive force or brake force, the rotary member having an annular hub portion arranged on a center side, an annular ring portion arranged on an outer circumferential side, and a plurality of arm portions connecting the hub portion and the ring portion, with a plurality of weight reduction holes partitioned by the arm portions between the hub portion and the ring portion. The plurality of arm portions are provided so that centers of their distal end portions on the ring portion side and centers of their proximal end portions on the hub portion side are offset in one circumferential direction, respectively, and the hub portion and the ring portion are not directly connected to each other by longitudinal sectional lines that intersect with the arm portions in a radial direction of the rotary member.

Abstract: A metallic aircraft brake disk having thermal relief slots therein is provided. The brake disk is of an annular shape with force bearing slots in one of the circumferential surfaces thereof to engage the disk with a portion of the aircraft. A plurality of thermal relief slots extend from an opposite circumferential surface of the annular brake disk. The thermal relief slots are in the shape of a dual armed hook anchors and are configured to minimize the amount of material removed to form each slot, while maximizing certain radii of the slot head. Particularly, an elongated radial slot terminates in a slot head, the slot head being formed of a number of interconnected curvate surfaces. The radii of the curvate surface opposite the end of the radial slot is maximized.

Abstract: A brake disk is described for attachment to rotating machinery to retard the rotating machinery. The disc has a hub for attachment to the rotating machinery. The hub is structurally connected by ribs to a rim having two annular portions spaced apart axially from one another which have at least one opening therebetween, and which have axisymmetric friction surfaces sloped in opposition to each other for contact with a brake shoe. The ribs are inclined relative to radii from the center of the disk and are substantially straight.

Abstract: A brake disc has friction ring (4) and a bearing part (1) coupled to the friction ring (4) by linking elements (3). Several linking elements designed as pins, bolts (3) or the like distributed around the circumference of the bearing part (1) and coupled to the bearing part (1) project into recesses (bores) (8) in a circumferential wall (7) of the friction ring (4). The bearing part may be a pot, the wheel hub (17) or the wheel rim.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved automotive clutch having a pressure ring, preferably formed of aluminum, with a heat shield that includes a thin outer metallic ring, preferably of steel, which is laminated to a layer of an adhesive resin that contains metallic elements which are in substantially direct heat exchange between the outer steel ring and the aluminum pressure ring. For this purpose, copper screen of suitable mesh, from 10 to about 20 U.S. Standard, is embedded in the adhesive resin layer, reinforcing the adhesive layer and providing a controlled degree of direct heat transmission from the steel ring to the aluminum ring. In preferred embodiments, the attachment of the steel ring to the pressure ring is enhanced by a plurality of countersunk, flush head fasteners which are spaced about the periphery of the ring in a regular geometric array.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel for supporting a tire and attached to a brake drum having a multiplicity of pin-fins extending from a surface of the wheel to increase the surface area available for convective heat transfer into the surrounding airflow thereby increasing the rate of conductive heat transfer from the brake drum for a resultant decrease in the operating temperature of the tire, wheel and brake drum with an attendant increase in performance and service life.

Abstract: A low mass brake rotor apparatus with flow through ventilation is disclosed for enhanced cooling performance and improved resistances to thermal distortion. The brake rotor apparatus comprises bifurcated radial cooling ducts to maintain predetermined cooling medium velocity therethrough for optimal heat convection. Balanced heat conduction is achieved to minimize thermal distortion by providing symmetrically oriented rubbing surfaces with equivalent thermal conduction load paths.

Abstract: A rotor for a disc brake assembly includes a centrally disposed hub and at least one friction surface disposed annularly about the hub, the friction surface including a single continuous spiral groove disposed between the hub and an outer radial edge of the rotor, the single continuous spiral groove including a first portion wherein the groove is disposed radially side-by-side relative to itself and concentrically about the hub with each adjacent segment of the first portion of the groove being spaced from itself by a first predetermined distance, the single continuous spiral groove also including a second portion wherein the groove is disposed radially in side-by-side relation relative to itself and concentrically about the hub with each adjacent segment of the second portion of the groove being spaced from itself by a second predetermined distance which is different from the first predetermined distance to improve braking of the rotor.

Abstract: A ventilated-type disc rotor free from thermal deformation at the time of braking operation, generation of cracks and the phenomenon of brake jadder is provided. An inner end of a rib continuously connecting an external disc and an internal disc extends radially and inwardly beyond the inner peripheral surfaces of the discs and continuously connected to a cylindrical member which is by turn connected to a flange to be fitted to a body of a vehicle, and a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the external disc and an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A ventilated brake disc for rail vehicles of a divided or undivided design is provided. The brake disc comprises a brake ring with ribs connected to the hub. Projections for fastening the brake ring to the hub are connected to selected ribs having recesses. In another design the brake ring, within its neutral range, is provided with projections arranged opposite one another at a dividing groove, each projection having a respective tangential bore for receiving a screw for fastening the sections of the divided brake ring, whereby a portion of the ribs in the area of the projections extends radially inwardly and radially outwardly from the projections. In another design first projections have respective first tangential bores aligned with one another for receiving a first screw are positioned opposite one another at a dividing groove of the brake ring in the vicinity of its inner circumference.

Abstract: A brake system for controlling a winch cable for an oil well drilling or servicing operation includes a main external contracting band brake for stopping the cable and an auxiliary disk brake for controlling the speed the cable unwinds from the winch so as to control the descent of a load on the cable.

Abstract: An improved friction assembly includes a pressure plate having a plurality of axially extending vanes which extend substantially from an inner diameter to an outer diameter of the pressure plate. The pressure plate rotates about an output drive shaft. The pressure plate is enclosed in a housing and a cover, wherein the cover is contoured to partially enclose the pressure plate and to allow air to flow from outside the cover to an inner diameter of the pressure plate. A retainer assembly is positioned circumferentially about the output drive shaft. A plurality of coil springs extend radially between the retainer assembly and the cover, at least some of the coil springs being angled to urge the retainer assembly towards the pressure plate. A plurality of levers cooperate with the retainer assembly providing axial movement of the pressure plate, the pressure plate engaging and disengaging the driven disc.

Abstract: A cylindrical brake drum including a flanged end and an open end having a radially extending annular extension ring acting as a squealer band and a multiplicity of chill fins irregularly spaced one to another and/or relative to a plurality of equally spaced airflow channels where the chill fins are cast as part of the extension ring and the outside surface of the brake drum where the chill fins are of a substantially constant height relative to the brake drum and act to reduce the size and number of any casting porosities and further move the porosities away from the friction surface of the brake drum thereby improving fatigue strength. A multiplicity of cooling fins are formed on the inboard side of the extension ring. In an alternative embodiment, the extension ring can be formed as a wing which axially extends from the brake drum having a multiplicity of chill fins formed on its outer surface.

Abstract: The present specification describes a braking disc comprising a hub member and an annular braking disc member, the hub member being attachable to a wheel and having at least two outwardly extending spokes. The free end region of each spoke is engageable between two lugs provided on a face of the annular braking disc member, the opposite face of the annular braking disc member forming the braking area of the disc. The two lugs have facing profiled surfaces which extend generally radially of the annular braking disc member, part of a spoke engaging the profiled surface of one lug to be retained thereby while part of an intermediate member engages the profiled surface of the other lug to thus be retained thereby. A spring is located between the spoke and said intermediate member to press the spoke and the intermediate member against the respective profiled surfaces and to thus retain the spoke between the lugs, while allowing for radial movement between the spokes and the annular braking disc member.

Abstract: To increase the life of brake linings especially for heavy-duty vehicles and to increase reliability, an operating brake which is directly actuated by compressed air and a blocking brake which is spring actuated and has a compressed air spring relief, both in full lining configuration, are provided in a housing having radial ribs and in heat conduction with the two brake units to convectively dissipate the heat to ambient air. The blocking brake is actuated for emergency downhill or like braking situations to contribute to the dynamic braking torque.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a combination of composite brake rotors or clutches and a brake pad where the composite rotor or clutch is composed of a low density metal and particles of a nonmetallic material. Specifically the rotors or clutches are comprised of a metal matrix comprising aluminum or magnesium or alloys thereof homogenously mixed with a refractory ceramic, such as silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride or aluminum oxide among others. The composite brake rotors and clutches are very durable and have greatly increased thermal conductivities which improve brake and clutch performance. The rotors or clutches are manufactured by casting, followed by diamond cutting and finally followed by surface burnishing to smooth and condition the surface of the rotor or clutch. The brake pad may be comprised of at least cupric oxide, antimony sulfide, silicon alumina alloy, barium sulfate, kevlar, zinc sulfide, coke, and graphite.

Abstract: A brake drum generally cylindrically shaped having a substantially closed end forming a drum face and an open end with airflow channels formed in the outside peripheral surface of the brake drum in substantial alignment with a plurality of wheel hand hold openings and a squealer band positioned at the edge of the open end to improve cooling of the tire bead area of the wheel rim by increasing the airflow between the brake drum and the wheel rim thereby reducing the heat transferred from the brake drum into the wheel rim.

Abstract: An apparatus to control the air as it passes a tractor trailer combination as they travel along a road. This device will allow for variable redirection of the air flow to allow various desired effects to be met. The flow of air is streamlined to minimize the effects of cross winds. Air pressure responsive plates are provided at the ends of laterally extending gates mounted on tractor trailer combinations to minimize the effects of sudden drafts of air that sweep across roadways. A method of redirecting the air flow for ventilation and cooling purposes for both refrigeration units and brake components is provided. Air ducts are provided for the transport of the redirected air for the ventilation and cooling of the brake components. Additionally the air flow can be directed to impact with the exterior vertical front face of the trailer section to create an air drag which will create resistance to forward travel.

Abstract: A brake ring/hub connection via clamping notches for rail vehicles is provided. When a clamping strip is pressed into a clamping notch, the smallest cross-sectional configuration of the hub at the clamping notch is greater than the cross-sectional configuration of the clamping arms in that region thereof that is exposed to the greatest stress, and the cross-sectional configuration of the hub beyond the clamping arms is at least somewhat smaller than the cross-sectional configuration of the hub in the vicinity of the base of the clamping notch.

Abstract: A thermally balanced brake disc stack provides brake discs of greater mass at the center of the stack and of lesser mass at the opposite ends of the stack. The temperature of the high mass discs in the center of the stack will rise to a lower level than the thinner discs at the ends of the stack. However, the heat dissipation rate at the ends of the stack exceeds that at the center of such that all of the discs cool to a predetermined temperature concurrently.

Abstract: This concerns a rotor armature of an electromagnetic retarder, comprising at least one disk (2) axially prolonged over one of its faces by a plurality of fins (9), each fin being delimited by two faces which are parallel or substantially so, and are inclined with the corresponding radii, the tips of these fins being connected together by an annular flange (11) and the assembly of the disk, of the fins and of the flange being formed all in one piece molded from a ferromagnetic material. This rotor comprises, between the disk (2) and the flange (11), between the fins (9) molded in one piece with the disk and the flange, a plurality of thermally conductive independent inserts (13) extending parallel to the axis of the rotor and whose axial end edges (15) are embedded to a small depth in respectively the two mutually opposite transverse faces of the disk and the flange.

Abstract: A braking system for a railway vehicle having bogies which have fixed axles and independent wheels, the braking being of the disk-brake type. Each brake includes multiple disks comprising rotary disks (7) secured to the wheel (2) to be braked and fixed disks (8) secured to the axle (1) carrying the wheel to be braked, braking being obtained by pressing the fixed disks against the rotary disks, the system also including a cooling circuit enabling the heat energy generated by braking to be dissipated, cooling being obtained by a forced flow of fluid through the circuit.

Abstract: An improved disc brake rotor is formed with fins extending between the two annular braking members which are elongated tangentially of the rotor axis and disposed in two groups lying at different radial distances from the axis. The tangential orientation of the fins minimizes the amount of material required to form the fins while achieving structural rigidity comparable to other fin arrangements which require substantially more material. The fin arrangements disclosed thus enables a substantial reduction in weight and also achieves efficient cooling air flow patterns for either direction of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: An electromagnetic powder coupling device which can be used either as a brake or a clutch. In order to remove undesirable heat in the device, one attributable to Joule heat mainly emanated by field member, a rotor and a cylinder, and to other to frictional heat, especially inevitable for this kind of electromagnetic powder coupling device which is emanated by the friction between the rotor, cylinder and the magnetic powder filled in the space between the cylinder and the rotor, the coupling device incorporates a forced air draft cooling system. Two variations of cooling systems are disclosed, both of which have, in common with, at least a blower and a plurality of passages for forced draft air cooling not only to the external part but also to the inner part of the field member and the cylinder.

Abstract: A single disc, single acting brake or clutch has one or more pneumatically actuated piston and cylinder assemblies for urging friction material into contact with a disc that is rotatable relative to a body which carries the piston and cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A solar powered cooling apparatus for a vehicle brake system utilizing a solar cell panel mounted within a vehicle front bumper to selectively actuate a blower motor located within an air duct housing. The air duct housing is connected to the front bumper of which has a plurality of forward openings with filtering screens so as to direct cool air flowing from the openings to the associated disk brake rotor. A plurality of openings are also formed on the top panel of the bumper of which the solar panel is operatively associated and where the openings can be adjusted via a slide plate operative through a push-pull cable located in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A disk brake system is disclosed for a non-demountable rotary shaft, in which the brake has dismountable disks formed of thermostructural friction material, such as carbon-carbon, the aim being to confer to the resulting braking system the high resistance capacities which will enable it to withstand very high temperatures without being damaged, hence to dissipate very high energies. The disk brake finds use on a rotary shaft non-dismountable with respect to its carrying structure and is characterized in that two disks are constituted by at least two rings of thermostructural friction material, at least one of which ring is formed by at least two sectors in the same plane and assembled to the other ring by tightly fitted traversing pins, produced in the same material as the sectors. Angular connections are provided between the disks and, either the shaft, or one part of the structure.

Abstract: A cushioned brake assembly for dampening the reaction forces between rotating and non-rotating components of the brake assembly during a breaking action, includes a plurality of alternating rotatable and non-rotatable discs, a fluid actuated piston, a spring element, and a cushion disc positioned between the piston and the discs. The cushion disc includes a resilient portion which is compressed during a braking action to dampen the reaction forces. Prior art clutch and brake assemblies utilize various types of spring elements to dampen reaction forces between rotating and non-rotating components during clutching and braking. These prior art dampening elements do not provide optimum damping functions. The subject cushioned brake assembly provides optimum spring rate characteristics during cushioned braking function.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a braking disc for a disc brake. The braking disc comprises an annular disc member with a number of radially inwardly projecting lugs, located coaxially with respect to a central hub member which has a number of radially outwardly projecting lugs, the lugs on the hub member being located between adjacent lugs on the annular disc member. The lugs on said members are interconnected by at least one resilient member which is designed to flex generally radially but not circumferentially. Thus the or each resilient member positively transmits circumferential torque forces but is sufficiently flexible to allow for radial deflection due to thermal expansion of the disc member, without being over-stressed.

Abstract: An air guiding arrangement for wheel brakes of a motor vehicle comprises a profiled deflecting element which is adjusted against the arriving air current. The arrangement is constructed with an air deflecting element held at the vehicle and extending in transverse direction of the vehicle which is arranged below an adjacent dome-shaped air catching and guiding element. It faces the deflecting element with its air inlet area and is located opposite an opening in the brake protection plate with its air outlet area.

Abstract: A circular hub containing an outside brake drum, an inside clutch drum spaced concentrically inward from the brake drum, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced supporting webs rigidly connecting the drums to each other; a plurality of spaced heat conducting fins attached to the inside of the brake drum and spaced away from the clutch drum to reduce the heat conduction from the brake drum to the clutch drum.

Abstract: An assembly comprises drive key wearplates mounted in pairs to longitudinal side surfaces of each of a plurality of wheel key bosses and retaining members are fastened transversely across the top of a boss to engage both wearplates of the pair. A heatshield is positioned within the wheel bore between adjacent wheel key bosses and its opposite lateral edges engage respective wearplates in a manner such that it may not move either axially or radially within the bore.

Abstract: The invention provides an armature rotor for electromagnetic retarder, comprising at least one disc (2) extended axially on one of its faces by a plurality of fins (9), each fin being defined by two parallel or substantially parallel faces slanted with respect to the corresponding radii, the tips of the fins being connected together by an annular flange (11) and the assembly formed by the disc, the fins and the flange being made as a single moulded block from ferromagnetic material. The fins (9) of said rotor are particularly thin, numerous and so close together, the thickness of each fin being less than 5 mm and the width of the gap between two consecutive fins, in its narrowest zone, considered perpendicularly to the facing faces of the fins, being less than 10 mm.

Abstract: A device for enhancing the cooling of a friction disc according to the preferred embodiment of the teachings of the present invention is shown for use with a rotational control apparatus shown in its preferred form as a brake. Due to the rotation of the friction disc, a forward flow of air is created by air flowing into entry ports into an air cooling chamber formed in the friction disc and past the periphery of the friction disc to the atmosphere. The present invention directs cooling air radially inward into the friction disc at least in one radial segment of the friction disc at a time in a direction counter to the forward flow of air to enhance the cooling of the friction disc especially at relatively low RPM. Specifically, the device of the present invention includes in its most preferred form a wire guard housing including a plurality of circular wires which are arranged in a parallel spaced relation and secured to the periphery of the external housing in which the friction disc is mounted for rotation.

Abstract: To improve the cooling of the rotor armature disc of an electromagnetic brake, connecting to an external web by a ring of arms forming ventilation fins, the web bounding with the disc and the portions of fins which connect it to this disc, channels for ventilation air, on one at least of the surface bounding the channels internally, striae or ondulations are provided constituted by ribs extending in directions inclined to the direction of flow of the air in the channels. The ratio between the spacing of the sucessive ribs and the height of these ribs is comprised between 5 and 15.

Abstract: A disk brake motor comprises an electric motor having a housing, an electromagnet, at least one friction surface and a brake wheel which is in contact with the friction surface during braking, the brake wheel including an impeller for drawing in and impelling air so that the air flows tangentially of a surface of the electromagnet into the brake wheel and past the friction surface onto a surface of the housing of the electric motor.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying cooling air to a brake disk of a front wheel brake comprises an air guiding duct that is developed to be partially flexible and, on the inlet side, has an air opening in the front end of a motor vehicle and, on the outlet side, has another air opening that is directed at the brake disk. Two air inlet openings in a brake disk guard plate are opposite said air opening and form a separate transversely directed air guiding system to the brake disk. The air guiding duct is provided with several rigid duct portions that are held so that they are be fixed at the vehicle, namely at the vehicle body, as well as at the wheel, namely at the wishbone, as well as adjacent to the brake disk at a guard plate. They are each connected with one another via flexible intermediate duct portions, in which case the rigid duct portions can be moved relative to one another together with their assorted vehicle components.

Abstract: In a self-energizing disc brake of the spreading type, an intermediate metal plate located between the friction linings on an adjacent pair of rotatable friction discs includes portions which project radially with respect to the linings, and the portions include slots which define fins to facilitate cooling.

Abstract: A stainless steel rotor for aviation applications has a preferred Rockwell Hardness of about 30 to about 35 to provide a suitable braking action. The adverse effects of galling are minimized through the provision of depressions on the braking surfaces of the rotor. Metal that is deformed on the braking surfaces or is separated therefrom as a result of frictional contact between the braking surfaces and the brake pads is moved into the depressions under the influence of the pads to keep the surfaces substantially free of deformations and accumulations of loose metal due to galling.

Abstract: A brake ring for brake disks, especially disk brakes for rail vehicles, consisting of two annular bodies (2, 3) arranged adjacently at a distance from each other, having stud bolts (7) bridging the distance and rigidly connected with the annular bodies (2, 3). These stud bolts are so arranged, for the purpose of the most even distribution possible, that their axes (8) extend through the intersecting points of three systems of straight lines (9, 10 and 11) extending in one radial plane. The straight lines of the first system (9) are parallel and are at an equal distance from each other, the second system of straight lines (10) is formed by a rotation by 60.degree. and the third system of straight lines is formed by a rotation by 120.degree. of the first system of straight lines (9). Preferably, the ratio of the distance (A) of the stud bolt axes (8) and the diameter (D) of the stud bolts (7) is approximately 1.7. The brake ring has only minor aeration losses but high heat transmission by cooling air.

Abstract: A backing plate (10, 10a) for supporting a friction lining in a disc brake assembly. The backing plate (10, 10a) is made of a thin sheet of corrosion resistant metal that has a recessed portion extending from a substantially rectangular base. The base has fixing brackets located on the top thereof with tabs which engage pins on the disc brake assembly. The recessed portion which is offset from the center of the rectangular base has a substantially circular shape that corresponds to an actuation piston of the disc brake assembly. The friction lining which engages the rectangular base has an additional thermal barrier located in the recessed portion. When the friction lining engages a rotor in the disc brake assembly, thermal energy is created. The thermal energy is carried through the friction lining to the backing plate; however, the thermal barrier substantially eliminates the direct flow of thermal energy to the actuation piston.

Abstract: A multiple disc torque limiting clutch is presented. A stack of friction discs are splined to an output hub with a stack of separator discs interposed therebetween and keyed to a housing. Spring cup assemblies are positioned through openings in the separator discs to urge the separator discs into forceful contacting engagement with the friction discs. The spring cup assemblies include a compressed helical spring maintained within a cylindrical member and transmitting the spring force through the cylindrical member against the stack of separator and friction discs. The housing elements are of substantially unitary construction, with no relative movement capable therebetween. A wear indicator passes through the housing and indicates the degree of wear of the disc elements, while clearances between the interior of the clutch and the exterior are maintained at a minimum to provide a substantially explosion proof unit.

Abstract: Shaft braking disc with a unitary, ventilated friction ring (3), provided with ventilation ribs (4) some of which have radially inwardly extending support spokes (2) terminating in a hub (1) and having a cross section area which gradually diminishes in the radially inward direction. Attached to both sides of these spokes in the circumferential direction are reinforcement ribs (7) whose cross sectional areas gradually increase in the radially inward direction, in such manner that the sum of the cross sections of a support spoke (2) and its reinforcement ribs on both sides is at least substantially constant over the entire radial length of the spoke.

Abstract: A belt pulley and method of making the same are provided, the pulley having a hub and a peripheral groove for receiving part of an endless belt therein that is to drive the pulley or be driven thereby whereby the pulley is adapted to be rotated about the axis of the hub. The pulley has a plurality of vanes extending outwardly from at least one of the opposed sides thereof, the vanes comprising a plurality of spaced apart curved vanes of substantially the same size and shape and disposed in a plurality of circular arrays that are generally concentrically disposed relative to each other about the axis and on the one side of the pulley for acting on fluid adjacent the pulley to tend to cool the pulley with the fluid. The curved vanes in each circular array are each disposed substantially evenly between an adjacent pair of curved vanes in the circular array adjacent thereto whereby the number of the curved vanes in each circular array is the same, each curved vane having a convex side and a concave side.

Abstract: A belt pulley and method of making the same are provided, the pulley having a hub and a peripheral groove for receiving part of an endless belt therein that is to drive the pulley or be driven thereby whereby the pulley is adapted to be rotated about the axis of the hub. The pulley has at least one passage provided with an inlet adjacent the hub and an outlet adjacent the peripheral groove whereby fluid passing through the passage from the inlet to the outlet thereof will tend to cool the pulley and/or the belt as the pulley rotates about the axis of the hub. A rotatably operable fluid flow forcing unit is carried by the pulley so as to be rotated and thereby operated in unison with the pulley and is disposed upstream from the inlet for forcing fluid into the inlet and thus through the passage as the pulley and the fluid flow forcing unit rotate about the axis of the hub.