摘要 |
A relatively simple hydraulically operated disc brake mechanism for drive systems which store torsion by reason of being under torque is disclosed. Certain drive systems such as the drive strings for deep well submersible pumps store considerable torsion due to torque and elasticity. Such torsion must be controllably released if drive power is interrupted. The dis c brake mechanism includes a housing that defines a reservoir for lubricating oil for the bearings of a shaft that drives a bi-directional hydraulic pump. When the shaft turns in an operating direction, the pump conveys the lubricating oil in a closed circuit by way of a control manifold through the brake mechanism and back to the reservoir, without activating the brake mechanism. This flushes the complete lubricating oil circuit including the control manifold and the brake mechanism to preven t accumulation of gas pockets therein at locations of little or no fluid flow. If normal operation is interrupted and the reactive torque in the system is released, the bi-directional pump forces oi l through the control manifold to a disc brake caliper of the brake mechanism while controlling oi l flow through the brake mechanism, which activates the brake mechanism to brake a disc rotor attache d to the shaft. The faster the shaft turns as it releases reactive torque, the more braking forc e applied. As torsion is released, pump speed drops and brake force is correspondingly reduced until all torsion is released from the drive string permitting safe handling and soft restart of the drive string. The advantage is much improved safety and a self regulating brake mechanism that handles powe r interruptions without manual intervention and is no longer prone to brake fade.
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