Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
317 words
An improved brake for relatively rotating first and second members of the type which includes a housing secured to said first member, a plurality of brake discs carried by said housing for relative rotation therewith and axial movement therein, a plurality of reaction plates carried by said second member for relative rotation therewith and axial movement thereon, and said discs and said plates being intervened in alternating fashion to define a pack, said improvement comprising: said housing having a central bore defined by a radially, inwardly extending annular wall and an interior cylindrical surface; a piston having a tubular portion with an exterior cylindrical surface and a radially, outwardly extending wall having an annular surface extending outwardly from said cylindrical outer surface; said piston being axially, slidably mounted in said bore with said annular wall, said interior cylindrical surface, said exterior cylindrical surface and said annular surface defining an expandable chamber between said bore and said piston; a first generally U-shaped expandable seal in said chamber being seated against said annular wall of said bore and having a pair of lips capable of respectively making sliding, sealing contact with said interior cylindrical surface and said exterior cylindrical surface; a second generally U-shaped expandable seal in said chamber being seated against said annular surface of said piston and having a pair of lips capable of respectively making sliding, sealing contact with said interior cylindrical surface and said exterior cylindrical surface; means for selectively introducing hydraulic fluid to and discharging said hydraulic fluid from an intermediate region of said chamber between said first and said second seals, said hydraulic fluid being sealingly retained therein by said first and said second seals and capable of acting on said piston for selective movement of said piston axially relative to said bore; and means for providing a compressive braking force to said pack being responsive to said selective movement of said piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
317 words
An improved brake for relatively rotating first and second members of the type which includes a housing secured to said first member, a plurality of brake discs carried by said housing for relative rotation therewith and axial movement therein, a plurality of reaction plates carried by said second member for relative rotation therewith and axial movement thereon, and said discs and said plates being intervened in alternating fashion to define a pack, said improvement comprising: said housing having a central bore defined by a radially, inwardly extending annular wall and an interior cylindrical surface; a piston having a tubular portion with an exterior cylindrical surface and a radially, outwardly extending wall having an annular surface extending outwardly from said cylindrical outer surface; said piston being axially, slidably mounted in said bore with said annular wall, said interior cylindrical surface, said exterior cylindrical surface and said annular surface defining an expandable chamber between said bore and said piston; a first generally U-shaped expandable seal in said chamber being seated against said annular wall of said bore and having a pair of lips capable of respectively making sliding, sealing contact with said interior cylindrical surface and said exterior cylindrical surface; a second generally U-shaped expandable seal in said chamber being seated against said annular surface of said piston and having a pair of lips capable of respectively making sliding, sealing contact with said interior cylindrical surface and said exterior cylindrical surface; means for selectively introducing hydraulic fluid to and discharging said hydraulic fluid from an intermediate region of said chamber between said first and said second seals, said hydraulic fluid being sealingly retained therein by said first and said second seals and capable of acting on said piston for selective movement of said piston axially relative to said bore; and means for providing a compressive braking force to said pack being responsive to said selective movement of said piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improved brake as set forth in claim 1, wherein said piston and said bore are manufactured with a limited number of critical engineering instructions including those related to the diameter and the smoothness of said interior cylindrical surface, and the diameter and smoothness of said external cylindrical surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improved brake as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tubular portion has an end remote from said annular wall of said bore aligned with said pack to provide said compressive braking force thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The improved brake as set forth in claim 3, further including biasing means mounted within said housing in alignment with said piston tending to axially move said piston relative to said bore away from said pack, said hydraulic fluid being capable of overcoming said biasing means to provide said compressive braking force to said pack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved brake as set forth in claim 3, wherein said end of said tubular portion of said piston includes a radially inwardly extending shoulder.