Abstract: A brake actuator assembly for a railway vehicle braking system includes a pair of end members spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the brake actuator assembly, a hollow flexible elastomeric member, two peripheral flanges extending outwardly from ends of the hollow flexible elastomeric member. Two retaining members, apertures and fasteners are employed for attaching each peripheral flange directly to a respectively positioned end member. The brake actuator assembly is connected to a source of fluid under pressure enabling inflation of the flexible elastomeric member and initiation of a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The brake actuator assembly of the instant invention allows for improved control of the brake shoe forces including visual travel measurement indication which is especially desirable during light load conditions.

Abstract: A brake structure for a main shaft of a direct drive torque motor comprises a body, a direct drive torque motor, a main shaft and a brake assembly. The main shaft is provided for fixing the torque motor and the body, and the brake assembly is mounted between the body and the main shaft. An annular brake oil room of the brake assembly is positioned against the main shaft, and the brake seat subassembly has a thinner brake deformation wall formed between the annular brake oil room and the main shaft. The annular brake oil room utilizes its high pressure caused deformation to the brake deformation wall, thus achieving a braking effect by pressing the main shaft. Thereby, the present invention is easy to assemble, and not only can stop the main shaft quickly, but also has a greater locking force.

Abstract: A brake actuator assembly for a railway vehicle braking system comprises a flexible elastomeric member directly and sealably attached to a mounting member employed for attaching the brake actuator assembly to the rigid structure of a braking system and to a push rod member connected to the control linkage. The brake actuator assembly is connected to a source of fluid under pressure enabling inflation of the flexible elastomeric member and initiation of a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The brake actuator assembly of the present invention allows for improved control of the brake shoe forces including visual travel measurement indication which is especially desirable during light load conditions. Currently used brake assemblies employing cylinder type actuators may be retrofitted with the brake actuator assembly of the invention.

Abstract: A braking system for braking a rotor relative to a stator, the braking system comprising braking means respectively secured to the rotor and to the stator, a brake piston, return means for returning the piston to its braking position, a braking chamber, and a brake release chamber, which chambers are interconnected via a link duct serving to generate a flow of fluid in an assisted braking situation in which the braking chamber is connected to a fluid feed duct, while the brake release chamber is connected to a fluid return duct. The link duct is equipped with means for limiting the flow of the fluid at least in the direction going from the brake release chamber to the braking chamber.

Abstract: A ultra-low stiction torque transfer device (10) having a pair of relatively rotatable members (14, 16) actuated by a fluid-actuated diaphragm actuator (72). The diaphragm (72) features a circular or annular planar extensible web (74) having an O-ring (76, 78) positioned at each peripheral edge hereof for sealing a fluid communication space (86). Each O-ring (76, 78) is received, but not clamped, between a groove (87, 89) having an inclined wall (107, 109) and a lip (88, 90) overhanging the groove (87, 89). A portion of each O-ring (76, 78) makes a sealing contact with the respective inclined wall (107, 109) to seal the fluid communication space (86). The web (74) is extended by the application of fluid pressure to the fluid communication space (86). The extending web (74) moves a piston (18) which urges the relatively rotatable members into frictional engagement. As the web (74) extends, each O-ring (76, 78) rotates and translates within its respective groove (87, 89).

Abstract: An annular disc brake assembly has a housing mounted to a vehicle and a rotor disk mounted to a wheel of the vehicle. A pair of annular brake shoes are in frictional engagement with the rotor disk during a brake action, and resiliently supported by the housing and a supportive structure of the vehicle, respectively. The housing includes an annular radial wall having an annular ridge on the inner surface to abut the brake shoe which is supported by the housing so that during the brake action uneven and various forces applied to the brake shoe will cause local portions of the brake shoe oscillating about the contact point. The oscillation will be damped by damping pads placed between the housing and the brake shoe. The housing has a plurality of axial link members extending from the annular radial wall. The axial link members include clip structure at each distal end for clipping onto the supportive structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A locking device (10) for an indexable spindle (1) to which a tool electrode is attached, comprises a brake disk (2) fixed to the spindle, an annular upper brake member (11) movable in the axial direction of the spindle between a first position and a second position closer to the brake disk than the first position, a annular lower brake member (13) movable in the axial direction of the spindle between a third position and a fourth position closer to the brake disk than the third position, an upper disk (21) arranged facing upper surface of the brake disk across a minimum gap when the upper brake member is at the first position, a lower disk (22) arranged facing lower surface of the brake disk across a minimum gap when the lower brake member is at the third position, and drive means for moving the upper and lower brake members in the axial direction of the spindle.

Abstract: An annular disk brake assembly having a housing mounted to a vehicle and a rotor disk mounted to a wheel of the vehicle. Annular brake pads extend parallel to the rotor disk within the housing and are mounted thereto with at least one brake pad being movable axially by an oil applied bladder mounted to the housing to move the first brake pad axially against the rotor disk. The rotor disk is adapted to slide axially to engage the second brake pad when pressure is applied to the rotor disk by the first brake pad and the bladder.

Abstract: A stabilization system protects a structure, comprising at least a slab and having a foundation formed in the earth, from the effects of seismic disturbances. Pendulum support elements, secured at upper ends to respective support columns affixed to the foundation and at lower ends to support positions of the slab, support the slab while permitting limited relative movement between the slab and the support columns in the event of a seismic disturbance. A damping system connects the slab to the foundation to impede action of forces tending to produce relative rotation between the slab and the foundation and to provide damped control of relative linear displacements therebetween. A level monitoring system monitors the respective levels of monitoring positions displaced about the slab and detects differential changes in the levels at the monitoring positions, the rods being adjustable to correct for such differential changes and thereby to reestablish a common level condition at all monitoring positions.

Abstract: In a multi-disc brake comprising a torque tube and a piston housing having a plurality of hydraulically operated and circumferentially spaced piston cylinders a thermal isolation element is arranged to restrict heat generated by the friction discs from flowing from the torque tube to the piston housing.

Abstract: A hydraulic inertial vibration isolator is connected between a vibrating body and an isolated body. The vibration isolator comprises a cylinder which includes two chambers and a piston therebetween. The chambers are connected by a tuning passage in which a solid tuning slug is slidably disposed. The chambers and the portion of the tuning passage not occupied by the tuning slug are filled with liquid. Bypass passages connecting the tuning passage to the chambers allow the liquid pressures in the chambers to equalize when the amplitude of the tuning slug's oscillatory motion is sufficiently large, thereby limiting the tuning slug's amplitude. Dashpots axially disposed adjacent to either end of the tuning slug act to damp excessive tuning slug motion and to bias the tuning slug toward the center of the tuning passage.

Abstract: A grease loaded dampener for the swivel link of a grapple skidder is mounted to the pivot pin of the swivel link. The dampener is provided with two sets of friction plates. The friction plates are compressed by an annular piston that is slidably mounted to a bushing that is secured to the pivot pin. A grease zerk supplies grease to the cylinder formed between the bushing and the annular piston. A pressure relief valve is in fluid communication with the cylinder and prevents the cylinder from becoming over pressurized unduly compressing the friction plates.

Abstract: A hydraulic supply system for a snubber including spaced check valves in the snubber housing supply passage and a relief passage connected to the supply passage between the check valves.

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 brake for a braking shaft has a housing containing a brake disc (20) carried by the shaft and brake assemblies comprising fluid operated actuators (31) for brake pads (30) engageable with one side of the brake disc. The actuators are mounted on a cover portion (2) which can be hinged down to facilitate servicing of the brake assemblies. The cover portion has integrally formed locating elements for the actuators and guides for the brake pads (40,41,42,44). The brake disc (20) can slide off the shaft to allow access to passive brake pads acting on the other side of the brake disc.

Abstract: A driven wheel hub suitable for industrial vehicles, agricultural machine civil engineering equipment and materials handling equipment is closed by a removable cover independent of a flange enabling a wheel to be attached to it. It comprises a hollow body within which is a gear assembly and at least one brake disk constrained to rotate with the wheel shaft, the clamping of which is controlled by a hydraulic control unit. The hydraulic control unit is entirely accommodated within a housing formed for this purpose within the corresponding stub axle, and this housing is open in the axial direction on the same side as the cover.

Abstract: A fail safe brake for a power operated drive shaft comprises a cylinder mounting spaced bearings. A flywheel sleeve is journaled through the bearings and is keyed to the drive shaft and includes a radial flywheel. A brake pad mount is axially supported within the cylinder and mounts a brake pad normally spaced from the flywheel and adapted for movement into operative frictional engagement with the flywheel under the action of a plurality of compressed springs. A brake pad actuator responsive to pressure fluid is mounted within the cylinder and engages the brake pad mount. Pressure fluid when applied to the cylinder acts on the brake pad actuator to retract the brake pad mount against the springs. The brake pad is adapted to operatively move against the flywheel on interruption of the pressure fluid.

Abstract: A clutch or brake cylinder has an annular working space accommodating an annular piston which confronts a stack of interleaved friction plates adapted to couple the cylinder to a coaxial member rotatable relatively thereto, the piston being displaceable by fluid pressure toward the stack against the force of a Belleville spring. This piston occupies only part of the working space so as to leave an annular clearance in which an ancillary sealing ring is independently slidable. When fluid pressure is applied, part of that pressure pushes the sealing ring against the Belleville spring and lifts it off the piston which then can exert its full force upon the stack of friction plates. Extraction of the cylinder from a surrounding housing enables the piston and the sealing ring to be replaced by a larger piston, filling the entire cross-sectional area of the working space, if a greater coupling pressure is to be exerted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for providing a friction joint by pressing a number of first elements against a second element by means of a pressure medium acting on said first elements. In order to obtain an improved ability of transmitting a torque and an improved stability regarding radial load, said first elements are so arranged that they encircle or are encircled by said second element and are acted upon by a number of mutually independent portions of the pressure medium, each portion acting on its own element.

Abstract: A pressurized hydraulic fluid actuated coupling assembly for detachably coupling to an element. The assembly has first and second concentric walls secured together at the ends. The second wall is adapted for engaging the element. One of the walls has grooves defining corresponding recesses between the first and second walls. Ridges on such one wall are defined between adjacent recesses. Means is provided for introducing hydraulic fluid into the recesses. Means is provided for varying the pressure of the hydraulic fluid such that in the absence of fluid pressure, the ridges on the one wall are in contact with the other wall and upon pressurization of the fluid the second wall moves away from the first wall such that the second wall rigidly couples to the element and such that the ridges are spaced a predetermined distance from the other wall.

Abstract: An enclosed space which constitutes part of an operating chamber of a cylinder is left between a piston and the bottom of the cylinder or between a piston and another piston when the piston is brought into contact with the bottom or the other piston. At least one groove or recess is formed in either the piston or the bottom, or in either the piston or the other piston so that communication between the enclosed space and a fluid port of the cylinder is not blocked even when the piston is brought into contact with the bottom or the other piston.

Abstract: A coupling includes a rim assembly, a drum assembly rotatable relative to the rim assembly about an axis of rotation, a pneumatically expandable tube having an exterior surface attached to the rim assembly, a plurality of spaced apart lugs disposed on the exterior surface of the tube element and a plurality of shoe members each of which includes first and second spaced apart parallel surfaces. Each of the shoe members includes means on the first surface thereof which is connectable with one of the lugs on the tube element to support the first surface of the shoe member contiguous to the exterior surface of the tube member.

Abstract: A swivel joint comprises a journal fitted in a hole. The journal is conical and axially formlocked in the hole. A working chamber is arranged behind one of the mantle surfaces of the hole and the journal. The chamber has an integral flexible wall defining one of said surfaces. When hydraulic pressure is applied to the chamber, the flexible wall expands the journal is centered in the hole and locked against rotation, and the journal end engages the hole bottom.