Bidirectional rotary brake

摘要

A bidirection brake for a rotary device prevents a reverse load or an overrunning load at the output of the rotary device from rotating the output in either direction. The brake includes a pair of opposing plates having pockets formed in their surfaces which contain movable balls. A reverse load or an overrunning load causes relative motion between the plates which in turn causes the balls to move to shallower parts of the pockets thereby forcing the plates axially apart. As the plates move apart, they each engage respective skewed roller assemblies which inhibit the rotation of the plates and the shafts which are connected to the plates. The breakout and running friction of the skewed roller assemblies are almost equal so that the brake operates smoothly when it is engaged and when it is released.