With Means For Cooling Brake Patents (Class 188/71.6)
  • Patent number: 8590937
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle equipped with air-filled tires, wherein heating of the air-filled tires during driving is minimized, and the durability of said tires is increased. Either many dimples are formed on the outside surface of at least one sidewall of the air-filled tires, or at least part of the outside surface of the sidewalls is formed using a good-thermal-conductivity rubber having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.40 W/(m·K). The vehicle is also provided with a cooling device that blows a gas that cools the air-filled tires from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehiko Hino
  • Publication number: 20130277155
    Abstract: An automotive disk brake assembly installed in an automobile having a wheel. The assembly includes a floating caliper supporting inner and outer brake pads and a brake rotor having a disk, a hat, wherein the hat is bolted to the wheel. A hydraulic cylinder pushes the inner brake pads into the disk surface, thereby causing the floating caliper to move so as to bring the outer brake pad into contact with the disk surfaces. Finally, the rotor is made of a material having a thickness and a coefficient of thermal expansion and conductivity, such that a complete 100 kilometer per hour, 0.9 gross vehicle weight braking causes the disk to expand in thickness by at least 0.10 mm and to cool to shrink in thickness, from its expanded thickness, by at least 0.05 mm within 60 seconds of cessation of braking, in an ambient temperature of less than 30° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Xiaodi Huang, Nannon R. Huang, Xiaobin Song
  • Patent number: 8562023
    Abstract: The first invention relates to a vehicle with pneumatic tires characterized in that the vehicle comprises a cooling unit which expels a fluid to cool the pneumatic tire from the outside thereof at least when the air pressure of the pneumatic tire decreases. And, the second invention relates to a tire cooling method in the vehicle with pneumatic tires comprising: a step of monitoring the air pressure of the pneumatic tire during running, and a step of expelling a fluid toward the pneumatic tire so as to cool the pneumatic tire from its outside when the air pressure falls below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidehiko Hino
  • Patent number: 8550220
    Abstract: A bicycle brake pad includes a cooling plate and a friction plate. The cooling plate has a first surface and a second surface. The cooling plate includes a pad supporting section and a heat dissipation section. The friction pad is mechanically and fixedly connected to the pad supporting section of the cooling plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru Iwai, Takashi Fujitani
  • Patent number: 8523108
    Abstract: Improved chin rings are disclosed, wherein a chin ring may comprise a substantially circular chin ring having an outer surface and a slot, a first radially spaced aperture in the chin ring on a first side of the slot, a second radially spaced aperture in the chin ring on a second side of the slot, a first louver disposed at least partially over the first radially spaced aperture, the first louver disposed at a first angle relative to the outer surface and a second louver disposed at least partially over the second radially spaced aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventor: Brian M. Coty
  • Patent number: 8511443
    Abstract: Braking bands of discs for disc brakes, capable of both the efficient discharge of heat and of high mechanical performance at low weight are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Aristide Veneziano, Silvio Persico, Raffaello Passoni
  • Patent number: 8485322
    Abstract: A brake assembly comprises a brake ring piston (30) and at least one coupling (33?, 33). The brake ring piston (30) is provided with at least one channel (40, 43) through which a cooling agent can be supplied. The at least one channel leads to a surface of the brake piston which faces the at least one coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Dobler, Sven Kreiger
  • Patent number: 8464848
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat dissipation plate which includes a heat dissipator and two elastic plates. The heat dissipation plate is adapted to be disposed in a bicycle disc brake. The elastic plates are fixed to the heat dissipator, and the elastic plates are disposed in the bicycle disc brake so as to fix the back panels of the brake linings in the disc brake. Thereby, the elastic plates of the present invention can conduct the heat, which is generated when braking, to the heat dissipator, so that it can prevent the brake linings from overheating when braking. The overheated brake linings may make the disc brake fail to stop the bicycle; therefore, the present invention can enhance the safety of the bicycle disc brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung Wen
  • Patent number: 8448753
    Abstract: A disk brake caliper (4) which is provided with a disc (2) integral with a hub of a wheel and is rotatable about a central rotation axis (3); the caliper (4) presents: a hub-wheel supporting element (7a) and a wheel-side supporting element (7b), which are reciprocally counterpoised on the opposite sides of the disc (2); at least one connection bridge (8) which straddles the disc (2) and forms a single part with the supporting elements (7) for rigidly connecting the two supporting elements (7) themselves together; a plurality of pistons (6), each of which is accommodated in a corresponding supporting element (7) and presses a pad (5) against a side surface of the disc (2); and a cooling circuit (9), which makes a flow of cooling air circulate through supporting elements (7) and comprises a plurality of cooking pipes (10) obtained through the supporting elements (7) themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Petrini
  • Patent number: 8430457
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bar for an aircraft wheel, the bar comprising an oblong body (2) extended at each end by respective endpieces (4, 5) extending parallel to the body and parallel to each other, the endpieces being offset relative to each other. The invention also relates to a wheel specially adapted to receive such a bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
    Inventor: Patrick Baldassara
  • Patent number: 8387761
    Abstract: A disc brake for a motor vehicle is provided. The disc brake includes a brake disc, a brake caliper configured to straddle the brake disc, a tappet carried by the brake caliper and arranged to push a brake pad against the brake disc, and a bellows provided between the brake caliper and the tappet to seal a gap between the brake caliper and the tappet. A layer of flexible thermal insulation material may be provided between the bellows and the tappet. The layer of flexible thermal insulation material is configured to protect an outer surface of the bellows facing the brake pad from exposure to heat. Alternatively, the bellows may include a layer of flexible thermal insulation material on which an elastomer layer is formed. The layer of flexible thermal insulation material is configured to face the brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC
    Inventor: Alf Siebke
  • Publication number: 20130048441
    Abstract: A cooling device for a brake clamp includes a cooling device mounted on the hub of the bicycle wheel, a receiving room formed in the cooling device, an air vent defined on the peripheral of the cooling device and communicating with the receiving room, a receiving space formed on the peripheral of the cooling device and located adjacent to the air vent. Therefore, a brake clamp is partially received in the receiving space and the airflow from the air vent blows toward the brake clamp directly and continuously so as to cool the brake clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventor: Wayne-Ian Moore
  • Publication number: 20130015023
    Abstract: The present disclosure provide various systems and methods for cooling mobile platform braking systems, e.g., braking systems for automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, etc., utilizing heat pipes. The heat pipes are disposed within components of the braking systems, e.g., brake rotors, calipers and brake pads, to efficiently remove large amounts of heat from such components that is generated during use of the respective braking system to slow and/or stop movement of the respective mobile platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: HPEV, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Hassett, Mark Hodowanec
  • Publication number: 20120318620
    Abstract: A vehicle oil-cooled brake comprising has an oil-containing chamber housing one or more rotatable brake discs (22,23) connected a with driveline shaft (150 and a brake applying means to bring the brake disc or disc onto frictional contact with non rotatable structure to brake the shaft. The housing has an inlet (27) into the chamber through which cooling oil may enter the chamber and a closure member (28) for closing off the inlet. The closure member is moveable between open and closed positions by an actuator (40). The chamber has an outlet for allowing cooling oil to leave the chamber and a control means (50) is provided for activating the actuator (40) to move the closure member (28) to close the inlet when the associated vehicle achieves one or more vehicle predetermined operating conditions so that the rotating brake disc or discs or a component rotating therewith can pump oil from the chamber and hence reduce the viscous drag caused by the rotation of the brake disc or discs within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: VALTRA OY AB
    Inventor: Mikko Rintoo
  • Publication number: 20120318621
    Abstract: A disc brake system for a disc brake having a pair of brake pad backing plates adapted to be movably positioned on opposite sides of a brake disc. A brake pad is attached to each of the backing plates so that the brake pads face the brake disc on opposite sides of the brake disc. At least one of the brake pad backing plates is constructed of a thermally conductive material and includes a portion which extends outwardly from its attached brake pad and includes at least one elongated slot to improve brake cooling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Teagan
  • Patent number: 8297416
    Abstract: A rotor and a method of making same are provided. The rotor can include a substantially annular segment having a thickness defined between a first side surface and a second side surface, as well as an inner end edge surface and an outer end edge surface. At least one expansion groove can be formed in the substantially annular segment, and can include a substantially straight portion and a substantially curved portion. The substantially curved portion of the at least one expansion groove can form an arc of at least about 90 degrees. The rotor can also include at least one flange extending from an inner end edge surface of the substantially annular segment at an angle not parallel to a radial of the substantially annular segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Edward W. Kitchell
  • Patent number: 8246010
    Abstract: A fluid shear actuated brake mechanism includes an outer hub secured to a hoist frame, a main brake disc stack engaged between the outer hub and a hoist drum shaft, an actuator hub helically engaged with the outer hub, and an actuator disc stack engaged between the actuator hub and the shaft. The main disc stack and the actuator disc stack are immersed in a fluid. Rotation of the shaft in a load lowering direction generates fluid shear in the actuator disc stack which rotates the actuator hub in a lowering direction and advances it toward the main disc stack, compressing it and the actuator disc stack. Rotation of the shaft in an opposite load lift direction retract the actuator hub from the main disc stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Daniel L. Hess
  • Publication number: 20120193175
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heat dissipation plate which includes a heat dissipator and two elastic plates. The heat dissipation plate is adapted to be disposed in a bicycle disc brake. The elastic plates are fixed to the heat dissipator, and the elastic plates are disposed in the bicycle disc brake so as to fix the back panels of the brake linings in the disc brake. Thereby, the elastic plates of the present invention can conduct the heat, which is generated when braking, to the heat dissipator, so that it can prevent the brake linings from overheating when braking. The overheated brake linings may make the disc brake fail to stop the bicycle; therefore, the present invention can enhance the safety of the bicycle disc brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung WEN
  • Publication number: 20120152610
    Abstract: Ventilated heat shields and methods are disclosed. The ventilated heat shield can use varying patterns of insulating material with ventilation regions arranged in one or more two-dimensional (2D) and/or three-dimensional (3D) patterns to provide thermal insulation and air channels that allow for dissipation of heat and the inflow of cooling air. The ventilated heat shield can be used in applications where two surfaces are required to be in very close proximity or contact with each other to reduce the transfer of heat from one surface to the other. An example application for the ventilated heat shield is in a vehicle braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNIVISTA, INC.
    Inventors: T. Alan Keahey, James P. Lill
  • Patent number: 8191691
    Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a rotor, a caliper, brake pads and an optional filter. The optional filter can be disposed within a shroud which covers at least about 70% of the distal side periphery on at least one of the two sides of the rotor. The disc brake also includes an impeller or other means for providing air flow to the disc brake assembly. The impeller can be provided by the rotor itself or it can be provided by a separate component which is powered either directly or indirectly by the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Joseph Gelb
  • Publication number: 20120111677
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a heat-insulating component for a break assembly, characterised in that said component is in the form of a single-layer resulting from the combination of a resin and a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: KEMATIS PROJECTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Alvise Fracasso
  • Patent number: 8157062
    Abstract: A wheel and brake assembly (10) having a torque bar (24) supported at a mid-span location. The torque bar (24) can be pre-loaded at a mid-span location. The pre-load can be effected by a spacer block (150) that is interposed between the wheel well and the torque bar (24). The method and device of the present invention can be used with existing wheel and brake assemblies. The spacer block can be a two-part spacer block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Enright, Jerry L. Miller, Joshua C. Houser
  • Patent number: 8151951
    Abstract: A disc brake caliper comprising a suspension side portion, facing an associable suspension to support said caliper, a wheel side portion facing a wheel being rotatably integrally associable to a brake disc, said wheel side and suspension side portion comprising cylinders suitable to house pistons facing pads for breaking the brake disc, and being connected by at least one connecting bridge extending astride the brake disc. The caliper comprises at least one casing being associable to a side surface of said caliper opposite a housing recess of the brake disc, such as to define a duct extending between said suspension side and wheel side portion to convey a cooling air steam, near thrust portion of the pads being affected by the relative pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Raffaello Cornolti, Riccardo Arrigoni, Silvio Persico
  • Publication number: 20120000736
    Abstract: A brake rotor assembly includes a rotor member and a cooling member. The rotor member has a first exterior surface and a second exterior surface. The cooling member is coupled to at least one of the first and second exterior surfaces of the rotor member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Kazuki KOSHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20120000737
    Abstract: Provided is a braking system which can enhance the power generation efficiency of a thermoelectric conversion element by efficiently recovering the heat generated during braking, or by increasing the temperature difference between a heat source and the thermoelectric conversion element. A brake pad body in a brake pad is provided with a thermoelectric conversion element. The thermoelectric conversion element includes an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer. The n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer are provided in a recess formed in the back surface of the brake pad body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanobu Horio, Naotaka Nishida, Hiroshi Isono
  • Publication number: 20120000735
    Abstract: A bicycle brake pad includes a cooling plate and a friction plate. The cooling plate has a first surface and a second surface. The cooling plate includes a pad supporting section and a heat dissipation section. The friction pad is mechanically and fixedly connected to the pad supporting section of the cooling plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Toru IWAI, Takashi FUJITANI
  • Patent number: 8087506
    Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-disk brake (1) in an automatic transmission, with an inner disk carrier (4) and an outer disk carrier (6), with inner disks (3) and outer disks (5) arranged axially in alternation on the disk carriers (4, 6), with friction linings (7) on the inner and/or outer disks (3, 5), with a piston (10) of a pressure-medium-actuated piston-cylinder arrangement such that the inner disks (3) and outer disks (5) can be acted upon by a force to close the multi-disk brake, with an end disk (9) or support disk (11) that forms an axial abutment for the disk set (14) formed by the disks (3, 5, 9, 11), and in which the disk brake (1) and/or the components around it are so configured that the disks (3, 5, 9, 11) can be wetted by a cooling oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef Haupt
  • Patent number: 8020673
    Abstract: A braking system for a high speed, high load rotor operating in a vacuum and suspended by a magnetic field such as in a flywheel energy storage device includes a pair of calipers disposed on opposed sides of the rotor for actuating a pair of annular friction discs into engagement with opposed sides of the rotor. Each caliper includes a mounting ring on its outer edge and an inner shallow annular groove in which it disposed one of the friction discs. A circulating fluid under pressure is directed into each annular groove for urging each friction disc into engagement with one of the opposed surfaces of the rotor for safely bringing the rotor to a stop such as in an emergency. The circulating fluid removes the heat generated by the braking action, while the controlled pressure applied by the discs also controls the position of the rotor when static such as during initialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Carl R. McIver, Kevin E. McCrary, John R. Hull, John A Mittleider
  • Patent number: 8006813
    Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of a brake arrangement for a machine is disclosed. The method includes providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the brake arrangement and sensing a first temperature of the fluid downstream of the brake arrangement. The method also includes determining a first temperature range for the brake arrangement and determining if the first sensed temperature falls in the first temperature range. The method also includes requesting an adjustment of at least one fluid parameter of the flow of pressurized fluid in response to determining that the first sensed temperature does not fall within the first temperature range such that the sensed temperature moves to the first temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Barry James, Peter O'Brien, Darshan C. Patel
  • Patent number: 7963376
    Abstract: The present invention is a system which improves the airflow in a disc braking system by using impellers which are powered by a drive shaft that is rotated via a roller that is contacted with the brake rotor. A housing is provided that fits on a brake disc which holds the impellers, drive shaft, and filters. In an alternative embodiment, twin impellers could be used on either side of the rotor to maximize the air flow through the impellers. It is another object of the present invention to provide an impeller shroud housing that has an inlet to allow air to enter the shrouding. There is a mesh filter on the inlet which can capture particles as air is forced into the shrouding. Another filter on the shroud housing outlet to capture the remaining particles as air is forced out of the shroud housing and onto the rotor to aid in cooling of the braking system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Gelb
  • Publication number: 20110139553
    Abstract: A brake assembly comprises a brake ring piston (30) and at least one coupling (33?, 33). The brake ring piston (30) is provided with at least one channel (40, 43) through which a cooling agent can be supplied. The at least one channel leads to a surface of the brake piston which faces the at least one coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: AGCO GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Dobler, Sven Kreiger
  • Publication number: 20110120816
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes a brake cooling apparatus and method in which heat is conducted from a brake pad to a heat dissipating portion through a heat receiving portion and a heat dissipating portion dissipates the heat into a cooling medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph R. Demers
  • Patent number: 7900752
    Abstract: An industrial brake is provided through which tension and emergency braking are initiated at opposite axial ends of the brake in order to improve packaging and maintenance of the brake and to enable the addition of an emergency brake function to existing tension brakes without substantial modifications to the brake. The brake includes a housing disposed about a driven shaft and friction plates coupled to the housing and the shaft respectively. One friction plate comprises a liquid cooled fluid jacket. One end cap assembly is disposed at one axial end of the housing and provides a tension brake function. Another end cap assembly is disposed at the opposite axial end of the housing and provides an emergency brake function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wayne Mayberry, Ian Nigel Hakon, Brenton Charles Bluhm, Richard Carl McConkie
  • Publication number: 20110048871
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system can include a rotating braking element that includes a bulk structural material and a friction surface. The friction surface can include an outer coating that includes a corrosion and wear-resistant material. The rotating brake element can be adapted for installation as part of a braking system on the vehicle. The vehicle braking system can also include a movable brake member that includes a friction material having a friction material composition. The movable brake member can be disposed in the braking system with the friction material disposed opposite at least one friction surface so that the friction material reversibly engages with the outer coating of the corrosion and wear-resistant material when the braking system is operated to stop or slow the vehicle. The outer coating of the corrosion and wear-resistant material can include a decorative color whose color and original appearance are substantially retained after repeated uses in stopping or slowing the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: NATHAN K. MECKEL
  • Publication number: 20110048870
    Abstract: A disk brake caliper (4) which is provided with a disc (2) integral with a hub of a wheel and is rotatable about a central rotation axis (3); the caliper (4) presents: a hub-wheel supporting element (7a) and a wheel-side supporting element (7b), which are reciprocally counterpoised on the opposite sides of the disc (2); at least one connection bridge (8) which straddles the disc (2) and forms a single part with the supporting elements (7) for rigidly connecting the two supporting elements (7) themselves together; a plurality of pistons (6), each of which is accommodated in a corresponding supporting element (7) and presses a pad (5) against a side surface of the disc (2); and a cooling circuit (9), which makes a flow of cooling air circulate through supporting elements (7) and comprises a plurality of cooking pipes (10) obtained through the supporting elements (7) themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Bruno Petrini
  • Patent number: 7886859
    Abstract: An embodiment of a high-performance car having a car body; at least one member for cooling; at least one cooling duct extending between an inlet opening and an outlet opening, both formed through the car body, to conduct outside cooling air through the member for cooling; and at least one blow duct which terminates at a blow opening, formed through the car body, to direct an air jet which interacts with the airflow about the car body to alter the streamline configuration of the car; the blow duct originates at an initial portion of the cooling duct, upstream from the member for cooling, and has a deflecting device which can be activated to divert at least part of the air in the cooling duct to the blow duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Ferrari S.p.A.
    Inventor: Luca Caldirola
  • Patent number: 7874399
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a combined wet brake and rear gear assembly supported by a pair of frames. The combined wet brake and rear gear assembly includes a housing having at least one gear and a wet brake provided therein. An input shaft is connected to the gear and to the engine of the vehicle. The wet brake is located between one of the pairs of frames and the input shaft in the transverse direction of the vehicle in a top plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America, Team Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Harper, Andrew Metzger, Bruce Younggren, Brian Wolf
  • Publication number: 20110000750
    Abstract: A wet brake cooling fluid system includes a cooling fluid supply line that is divided into a plurality of parallel paths. One path is in fluid communication with the motive side of a venturi eductor pump. Another pump is directed into the brake after passing through a fixed orifice that restricts flow. At least on path is in fluid communication with the brake after passing through a valve that is piloted to a brake piston, the valve only opening upon actuation of the brake. A drain hose connects the brake to the suction side of the venturi eductor pump, thereby causing evacuation of the fluid from the brake. Due to the restriction of fluid flowing into the brake by the valve, the brake chamber remains substantially empty during non-braking conditions, and is flooded upon actuation of the brake and opening of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Ray F. Schnell, Peter J. Pozivilko, Brett A. Starr
  • Publication number: 20100300776
    Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Cliff, Robert L. Wood, JR., Briton T. Eastman, Poongundran Ganapathi
  • Publication number: 20100258385
    Abstract: A vehicle system includes a compressed air system and a brake assembly. The compressed air system includes an actuating means for actuating a pneumatic-controlled vehicle component and an exhaust outlet adapted to discharge exhaust air from the actuating means. The vehicle system includes a discharge device for discharging air to at least a portion of the brake assembly. A method of improving the braking characteristics of a brake assembly is also provided. Furthermore, the use of exhaust air in order to improve the braking characteristics of a brake assembly is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Mats Sabelström, Martin Petersson
  • Patent number: 7793764
    Abstract: A wet brake system for a vehicle including a case; an internal operation lever disposed inside the case; a hydraulic cylinder which is integrally mounted to the case and is configured to actuate the internal operation lever; and a brake mechanism configured to be operated by the actuation of the internal operation lever by the hydraulic cylinder to apply a braking force to an axle of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Fujimoto, Haruo Kitai, Izumi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20100101899
    Abstract: A brake caliper including a caliper body and heat pipes at least partially embedded within the caliper body. The caliper body includes spaced inboard and outboard portions. In addition, at least one of the portions includes piston bores. The caliper body further includes a connector between the inboard and outboard portions whose spacing permits brake pads and a periphery of a brake rotor to be received between the inboard and outboard portions. Also, the brake caliper includes pistons disposed in the piston bores to press the brake pads against the periphery of the brake rotor when brake fluid moves the pistons and the brake pads toward the brake rotor. As the brake pads heat the brake caliper, the heat pipes transfer heat away from the piston bores thereby cooling the brake caliper and brake fluid in, around, or near the piston bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Brian G. Finkel
  • Publication number: 20100084226
    Abstract: A brake caliper has two spaced side walls, one having structure for fixing the caliper to a vehicle. The side walls are interconnected by structure which extends astride the disc space. Each of the side walls defines at least one seat for accommodating a pad having a friction surface to engage the disc and a thrust surface opposite the friction surface. The caliper thrust means that are suitable for engaging the thrust cooling ducts for conveying a flow of cooling air to the pad. The ducts have a first outlet port that generates a first partial cooling flow on the side of the friction surface of the pad and a second outlet port different from the first outlet port and configured to generate a second partial cooling flow on the side of the thrust surface of the pad. The second partial cooling flow is different from the first partial cooling flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Freni Brembo S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Maestrini, Andrea De Angeli
  • Patent number: 7681698
    Abstract: A brake disc for a disc brake having one or more sliding or not sliding discs on a hub or other central part is provided. The brake disc has an outer circumference and an inner circumference with a number of alternating teeth and gaps on the inner circumference. One or more measures are taken to reduce the risk of crack formation. One of the measures is to arrange areas of reduced material thickness at and/or adjacent each tooth. The areas of reduced material thickness may be openings having an axial or radial extent. Other measures include designing the teeth and gaps in an appropriate way and forming the brake disc with different properties at different parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products AB
    Inventors: Joakim Gripemark, Patrik Kall, Goran Stensson
  • Patent number: 7677366
    Abstract: After chemical nickel plating has been applied onto a rotor-side surface 10 of a caliper 5a made of aluminum alloy and an opposite surface 11 disposed in an opposite side of the rotor-side surface, nickel-tungsten alloy plating is applied onto these both surfaces 10, 11. Then, gold plating is applied onto only the rotor-side surface 10. As a result, a reflectance to incident light on the rotor-side surface 10 is made higher than a reflectance to incident light on the opposite surface 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignees: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Negishi, Hirobumi Niibori, Masao Sugaya, Takayuki Ichige, Tetsuya Noguchi, Tetsuya Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20100057270
    Abstract: The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Hudson, Cameron T. Lane, Joseph E. Tabor, Keith Kabrick, Michael D. Staub, Tom N. Brooks, William J. Tate
  • Patent number: 7604097
    Abstract: A brake system (100) utilizes a ring gear assembly (13). The ring gear assembly (13) includes a ring gear (13G) that rotates in the oil in the oil sump formed by the housing (101). The ring gear picks up oil as it rotates and as the oil is carried with to the top of the ring gear it falls by gravity into an accumulation cavity (3C). The oil then travels through an aperture (13A) and is then available for use by the reaction and friction plates (8 and 9) for cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: TEAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Younggren, Brian T. Wolf, Jeremy R. Eichenberger
  • Patent number: 7600615
    Abstract: A brake duct assembly for use in communicating cooling air from a front facia of a vehicle to a front brake assembly. The assembly includes an inlet portion, a passageway portion, and an outlet portion. The portion is disposed in the vehicle facia, and the outlet portion extends through an opening in a wheel well liner surrounding the front brake assembly. The passageway portion extends between and interconnects the inlet portion and the outlet portion. The outlet portion is spaced a distance from the front brake assembly and includes a plurality of fins that serve to transform the air stream received from the passageway portion into a plurality of air streams that are directed toward the front brake assembly and serve to cool said front brake assembly. The brake duct assembly is adapted for installation in reduced-space locations and for providing cooling air from the outlet portion that is spaced remotely from the brake assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas Ramsay, Christos Agouridis
  • Patent number: 7594567
    Abstract: A protection device (10) in a disk brake arrangement for protecting a brake disk (12) from dirt particles. The protection device at least partly surrounds the brake disk (12), and the protection device (10) includes at least one protection assembly (13) that is mounted on the wheel suspension (11) and consists at least partly of a material of which the shape is influenced by heat. The protection assembly has a first end position which prevents dirt particles and relative wind from striking the brake disk directly and a second end position which allows relative wind to strike the brake disk directly so as thus to obtain cooling of the brake disk. The first end position occurs when the temperature of the protection assembly lies below a first temperature and the second end position occurs when the temperature of the protection assembly exceeds a second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Mats Sabelstrom, Lars Bagge
  • Patent number: 7591349
    Abstract: An adjustable fluid cooled brake is provided that integrates the driven shaft and bearings with braking components to form a packaged assembly. The brake includes a driven shaft and two bearings disposed about the driven shaft. The brake further includes a housing disposed about the shaft and friction plates coupled to the housing and driven shaft. One end cap assembly of the brake is coupled to the housing and supports one of the bearings. The end cap assembly includes a pressure plate configured to compress the friction plates. Another end cap assembly is coupled to the housing and supports the other bearing. One of end cap assemblies is spaced from the housing by a spacer that may be adjusted to enable axial movement of the end cap assembly relative to the housing and the corresponding bearing thereby permitting adjustment of the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Warner Electric Technology LLC
    Inventors: Richard Carl McConkie, Brenton Charles Bluhm, Fergus Hopwood, Stephen Wayne Barr