US5035305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cushioned brake assembly
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-02
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Granted: 1991-07-30
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Expires: 2009-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A cushioned brake assembly for dampening the reaction forces between rotating and non-rotating components of the brake assembly during a breaking action, includes a plurality of alternating rotatable and non-rotatable discs, a fluid actuated piston, a spring element, and a cushion disc positioned between the piston and the discs. The cushion disc includes a resilient portion which is compressed during a braking action to dampen the reaction forces. Prior art clutch and brake assemblies utilize various types of spring elements to dampen reaction forces between rotating and non-rotating components during clutching and braking. These prior art dampening elements do not provide optimum damping functions. The subject cushioned brake assembly provides optimum spring rate characteristics during cushioned braking function.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan G. Lammers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:21
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D25/00; F16D25/12; F16D55/00; F16D55/24; F16D55/26; F16D55/36; F16D55/40; F16D65/00; F16D65/0006; F16D2055/0004; F16D2055/0058; F16D2121/00; F16D2121/02; F16D2121/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A cushioned power transfer assembly comprising: a stationary housing; a rotatable hub; a rotatable power shaft splined to said hub; a plurality of first friction discs splined to said housing; a plurality of second friction discs splined to said hub, each of said second friction discs being adjacent at least one of said first friction discs; a powered piston having a planar contact surface and being positioned within and moveable relative to said housing; a floating cushion disc, said cushion disc having a rigid plate portion and a resilient portion, said cushion disc being positioned between said piston and said friction discs; and power means for moving said piston into contact with said resilient portion and away from said resilient portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A cushioned power transfer assembly comprising: a stationary housing; a rotatable hub; a rotatable power shaft splined to said hub; a plurality of first friction discs splined to said housing; a plurality of second friction discs splined to said hub, each of said second friction discs being adjacent at least one of said first friction discs; a powered piston having a planar contact surface and being positioned within and moveable relative to said housing; a floating cushion disc, said cushion disc having a rigid plate portion and a resilient portion, said cushion disc being positioned between said piston and said friction discs; and power means for moving said piston into contact with said resilient portion and away from said resilient portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid plate portion of said cushion disc is a metal member and said resilient portion is an elastomeric member, said resilient portion being bonded to said rigid portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said resilient portion is bonded to said plate portion and has a substantially triangular configuration in cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid plate portion of said cushion disc is a thermoplastic member and said resilient portion is an elastomeric member, said resilient portion being bonded to said plate portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid plate portion has a first circular surface and said first surface has a plurality of slots formed therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rigid plate portion has first and second circular surfaces, said first surface having a plurality of slots formed therein, and said second surface having said resilient portion bonded thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said resilient portion of said cushion disc is adjacent said planar contact surface of said powered piston.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said resilient portion has a substantially dome-shaped configuration in cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 8, wherein said rigid plate portion has first and second circular surface portions, said first surface portion having a plurality of grooves formed therein, and said second surface portion having said resilient portion bonded thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The assembly, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said first surface portion is adjacent said first and second friction discs and said resilient portion is adjacent said planar contact surface of said powered piston.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A cushioned friction disc brake assembly comprising: a stationary non-rotatable housing; a rotatable hub; a rotatable shaft connected to said hub for imparting rotary motion from said shaft to said hub; a disc pack including a plurality of alternating adjacent first and second friction discs, said first discs being splined to said housing and said second discs being splined to said hub; a piston having a substantially flat planar surface, said piston being positioned within said housing and being moveable toward and away from said disc pack; and a resilient cushioning member, said resilient cushioning member being bonded to said flat planar surface of said piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A cushioned friction disc brake assembly comprising: a stationary non-rotatable housing; a rotatable hub; a rotatable shaft connected to said hub for imparting rotary motion from said shaft to said hub; a disc pack including a plurality of alternating adjacent first and second friction discs, said first discs being splined to said housing and said second discs being splined to said hub; a piston having a substantially flat planar surface, said piston being positioned within said housing and being moveable toward and away from said disc pack; and a resilient cushioning member, said resilient cushioning member being bonded to said flat planar surface of said piston.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The brake assembly, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said cushioning member has a substantially triangular configuration in cross-section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-29 | 1995-01-28 | 1995-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-01-28 | 1999-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |