초록 ▼

A rotational control apparatus is shown in its most preferred form according to the teachings of the present invention as a combination clutch/brake. The clutch/brake includes an interfacing member formed by first and second pressure plates rotatably mounted but reciprocally related with respect to

A rotational control apparatus is shown in its most preferred form according to the teachings of the present invention as a combination clutch/brake. The clutch/brake includes an interfacing member formed by first and second pressure plates rotatably mounted but reciprocally related with respect to each other. The interfacing member is reciprocated between one of first and second disk packs by an actuating rod reciprocally mounted in the housing and interconnected to ears formed on the second pressure plate. The actuating rods are reciprocated by actuation canisters located on opposite ends thereof. Each of the actuation canisters includes a piston which is reciprocated by a fluid chamber and a spring located in the fluid chamber. In the first preferred form, the springs of the canisters have a compressional force which are equal and less than required to actuate the clutch/brake such that in the absence of fluid pressure, the actuating rod and interfacing member is in a normal, neutral condition. In another preferred form, the spring of one of the canisters has a compressional force sufficient to actuate the clutch/brake in a normal set condition. Fluid pressure may be electively introduced into the fluid chamber to assist the actuation force spring to return the piston to its set condition and at greater actuation forces.

대표청구항 ▼

In an apparatus for providing rotational control between a first member, a second member, and a third member, with the apparatus including: means for rotatably mounting the first member, the second member, and the third member with respect to each other; a first rotational interfacing element secure

In an apparatus for providing rotational control between a first member, a second member, and a third member, with the apparatus including: means for rotatably mounting the first member, the second member, and the third member with respect to each other; a first rotational interfacing element secured to the second member; a second rotational interfacing element secured to the third member; a rotational interfacing member intermediate the first and second rotational interfacing elements; and means secured to the second member for reciprocating the rotational interfacing member for interfacing with the first and the second rotational interface elements, with the improvement comprising an improved rotational interfacing member comprising, in combination: a first pressure plate, with the first pressure plate being slideably mounted and rotatably related to the first member, with the first pressure plate having means for interfaceing with one of the first and the second rotational interfacing elements; a second pressure plate, with the second pressure plate having means for interfacing with the other of the first and the second rotational interfacing elements; means for interconnecting the first and second pressure plates for axial movement together and for allowing relative rotation with respect to each other, with the reciprocating means comprising an actuating rod reciprocally mounted in the second member, a radially extending ear formed on the second pressure plate of the rotational interfacing member, with the actuating rod extending axially through an aperture formed in the ear, means for preventing slideable movement of the ear with respect to the actuating rod for interconnecting the rotational interfacing member to the actuating rod for axial movement therewith, and means for reciprocating the actuating rod in the second member, with the axial movement of the sdcond pressure plate axially moving the first pressure plate in unison due to the interconnecting and rotation allowing means.