Liquid cooled brake with support columns
View Patent ↗A liquid cooled brake is provided having an improved housing that provides strong yet lightweight structural support. The brake includes end plates disposed about a driven shaft and axially spaced from one another. A plurality of axially extending pins connect the end plates. A friction plate is coupled to the driven shaft for rotation therewith and is axially movable relative to the driven shaft. Another friction plate defines a fluid jacket and is coupled to the pins. The friction plate is fixed against rotation, but axially movable, relative to the pins. A pressure plate is configured for selective movement towards the friction plates. Support columns are disposed radially outwardly of each pin and fixed to the end plates The support columns prevent undue strain on the pins. Ventilated guards may also be located between each pair of columns to limit access to internal working components of the brake.
1. A brake, comprising:
first and second end plates configured to be disposed about a rotational axis of a driven shaft and said first and second end plates axially spaced from one another;
a plurality of axially extending pins connecting said first and second end plates;
a first friction plate configured to be coupled to said driven shaft for rotation therewith and axially movable relative to said driven shaft;
a second friction plate defining a plurality of apertures through which said plurality of pins extend, said second friction plate fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially movable relative to said plurality of pins, said second friction plate defining a fluid jacket configured for passage of a fluid;
a pressure plate configured for movement in a first axial direction towards said first and second friction plates; and,
a first support column disposed radially outwardly of said second friction plate and extending between said first and second end plates.
2. The brake of claim 1 , further comprising a second support column disposed radially outwardly of said second friction plate.
3. The brake of claim 2 , further comprising a first guard connected to said first and second support columns, said first guard disposed circumferentially between said first and second support columns.
4. The brake of claim 3 wherein each of said first and second support columns includes an axially extending groove at one circumferential end, said axially ending grooves of said first and second support columns opening towards one another and configured to receive opposite circumferential ends of said first guard.
5. The brake of claim 3 wherein said first guard is ventilated.
6. The brake of claim 2 wherein said second support column is circumferentially spaced from said first support column.
7. The brake of claim 1 wherein said first support column is a unitary structure.
8. The brake of claim 1 wherein said first support column is disposed radially outwardly of a first pin of said plurality of pins.
9. The brake of claim 8 wherein said first support column is disposed radially outwardly of less than all of said plurality of pins.
10. The brake of claim 1 wherein said first support column is configured to receive a first pin of said plurality of pins.
11. The brake of claim 1 wherein said first support column is connected to said first and second end plates.
12. The brake of claim 1 wherein said first support column is fixed against movement relative to said first and second end plates.
13. The brake of claim 1 wherein said pressure plate is fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially movable relative to said plurality of pins.
14. The brake of claim 1 wherein a first pin of said plurality of pins extends through said pressure plate.
15. The brake of claim 1 , further comprising a friction material disposed on each side of said first friction plate.
16. A brake, comprising:
first and second end plates configured to be disposed about a rotational axis of a driven shaft and said first and second end plates axially spaced from one another;
a plurality of axially extending pins connecting said first and second end plates;
a first friction plate configured to be coupled to said driven shaft for rotation therewith and axially movable relative to said driven shaft;
a second friction plate fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially movable relative to said plurality of pins, said second friction plate defining a fluid jacket configured for passage of a fluid;
a pressure plate configured for movement in a first axial direction towards said first and second friction plates; and,
a first support column disposed radially outwardly of said second friction plate and extending between said first and second end plates
wherein said first support column defines first and second axially extending bores configured to receive fasteners fixing said first and second ends of said first support column to said first and second end plates.
17. A brake, comprising:
first and second end plates configured to be disposed about a rotational axis of a driven shaft and said first and second end plates axially spaced from one another;
a plurality of axially extending pins connecting said first and second end plates;
a first friction plate configured to be coupled to said driven shaft for rotation therewith and axially movable relative to said driven shaft;
a second friction plate fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially movable relative to said plurality of pins, said second friction plate defining a fluid jacket configured for passage of a fluid;
a pressure plate configured for movement in a first axial direction towards said first and second friction plates; and,
a first support column disposed radially outwardly of said second friction plate and extending between said first and second end plates
wherein said second friction plate defines a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs, each tab of said plurality of tabs configured to receive a corresponding pin of said plurality of pins.
18. A brake, comprising:
first and second end plates configured to be disposed about a rotational axis of a driven shaft and said first and second end plates axially spaced from one another;
a plurality of axially extending pins connecting said first and second end plates;
a first friction plate configured to be coupled to said driven shaft for rotation therewith and axially movable relative to said driven shaft;
a second friction plate defining a plurality of apertures through which said plurality of pins extend, said second friction plate fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially movable relative to said plurality of pins, said second friction plate defining a fluid jacket configured for passage of a fluid;
a pressure plate configured for movement in a first axial direction towards said first and second friction plates; and,
a plurality of circumferentially spaced support columns disposed radially outwardly of said second friction plate and extending between said first and second end plates, each of said plurality of support columns connected to said first and second end plates and fixed against movement relative to said first and second end plates.
19. A brake, comprising:
first and second end plates configured to be disposed about a rotational axis of a driven shaft and said first and second end plates axially spaced from one another;
a plurality of axially extending pins connecting said first and second end plates;
a first friction plate configured to be coupled to said driven shaft for rotation therewith and axially movable relative to said driven shaft;
a second friction plate fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially movable relative to said plurality of pins, said second friction plate defining a fluid jacket configured for passage of a fluid and defining a plurality of radially outwardly extending tabs, each tab of said plurality of tabs configured to receive a corresponding pin of said plurality of pins;
a friction material disposed on each side of said first friction plate;
a pressure plate defining a bore through which said first pin of said plurality of pins extends, said pressure plate fixed against rotation relative to said plurality of pins, but axially moveable relative to said plurality of pins and configured for movement in a first axial direction towards said first and second friction plates; and,
a plurality of circumferentially spaced support columns disposed radially outwardly of said second friction plate and extending between said first and second end plates, each of said plurality of support columns unitary in structure, connected to said first and second end plates and fixed against movement relative to said first and second end plates.