EXPANDER BRAKE/CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

摘要

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

主权项

1. A pneumatic expander brake/clutch assembly comprising:
(a) a first power transmission element; (b) a second power transmission element disposed for rotation with respect to the first element and including an annular friction surface; (c) an annular array of a plurality of arcuate elements disposed on the first power transmission element in circumferentially spaced arrangement about the annular friction surface and movable radially with respect to the annular friction surface wherein, each arcuate element includes a friction pad and a plurality of voids extending axially therethrough; (d) an annular inflatable disposed on the first power transmission element about the arcuate elements and operable upon inflation to move the arcuate elements radially for effecting relative rotating contact of the friction pads with the annular friction surface of the second power transmission element for effecting power transmission between the first power transmission element and the second power transmission element; (e) a torque bar connected to the first power transmission element and extending through one of the plurality of voids in each of the arcuate elements and operative for permitting movement of the respective arcuate element only in the radial direction; and, (f) a baffle member extending in a circumferential direction from opposite ends of each arcuate element into the space between adjacent arcuate elements, wherein the baffle members of adjacent arcuate elements define in the space therebetween a tortuous path for radiant energy emanating from the annular friction surface to the inflatable.