Self-energizing disc brakes

Claim 1

A self-energising liquid cooled disc brake comprising a housing, spaced, opposed radial braking surfaces in said housing, stationary radial pilot lugs in said housing, an actuator mechanism comprising first and second annular pressure plates centered on said pilot lugs, adjacent faces of said pressure plates being provided with co-operating oppositely inclined angularly spaced recesses, balls or rollers located in said recesses, rotatable friction members disposed between each said pressure plate and an adjacent radial braking surface, each member comprising a disc and first and second linings of friction material for engagement with said pressure plate and said radial surface carried by opposite faces of said discs, and means for moving said pressure plates angularly in opposite directions relative to said housing to initiate application of said brake, said pressure plates also moving axially to urge the friction member into engagement with said radial surface due to a tendency for said balls or rollers to ride up ramps defined by end faces of said recesses, said pressure plates thereafter being carried round with said friction discs until one of said pressure plates is arrested by a lug on said plate engaging a drag-taking stop abutment in said housing, the continued angular movement of the second said pressure plate providing a servo-action, said actuator mechanism being provided with a restrictor means to restrict the flow of cooling liquid in a radially outward direction between said pressure plates, wherein a secondary elevated reservoir, from which liquid escapes to said friction members to enhance cooling of said radial braking surfaces, is defined by a space between said first and second pressure plates.