GB583596A - Improvements in or relating to brakes - Google Patents

Abstract

583,596. Brakes. WINGFOOT CORPORATION. Nov. 7, 1944, No. 21865. Convention date, July 20. [Class 103 (i)] In a brake having automatic adjustment-means for taking up wear of the braking surfaces and maintaining a constant "off" clearance, the spring means for separating the braking surfaces is positioned between a member which brings the braking surfaces into frictional engagement and a back-stop which is frictionally held and automatically adjusted, the arrangement being such that a substantially constant maximum distortion of the spring means is maintained. As shown, discs 12 feathered to the wheel (not shown) are engaged by circular friction members or pads 38, 40, 42 held in the torque-taking member 10 which is bored to provide a number, e.g., three, of pressure cylinders 14. Each piston 22 is recessed to accommodate the friction member 38 and a spring-seat member 48 is retained in the piston by a spring ring 52. A piston rod 64 is slidable in a gland 72 in the cylinder head 16 which is secured to a spring ring 20, and an opposed spring seat 58 is adjustably screwed on to the rod 64 and is locked by a nut 66. Springs 56 are arranged circularly between the seats 48, 58 and act to bring the friction surfaces to the "off" positions. The rod 64 protrudes slightly from the plate 58 and contacts with the face 36 of the piston. In operation, the fluid pressure moves the piston towards the discs 12, but the seat 58 and rod 64 remain stationary unless the piston moves through a distance greater than the distance S between the members 48, 58. When this occurs the member 58 and rod 64 are correspondingly moved, in a brake-applying direction. The return of the rod is prevented, when the brakes are released by the adjustable friction of the gland 72, so that the brake clearance corresponding with the distance S is automatically maintained, the maximum distortion of the springs 56 remaining substantially constant.