Braking apparatus
US6422357B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16D63/00
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A braking apparatus for imparting constant mechanical torque to effect a braking action is capable of operating in a constant, smooth, and adjustable manner, yet operates essentially independent of friction and temperature, as well as independent of rotational speed. The braking apparatus includes a hub assembly having a hub, a collar, a plurality of torsional springs, a spring cap, a spring bushing, and damping means, and a sprocket assembly having a sprocket, a hub bearing, a retaining ring, and a plurality of roller assemblies each of which has a roller. The sprocket assembly is rotatably connected to the hub assembly by a hub assembly spring, a sprocket assembly spring, an adjustment cap, and an adjustment means. The apparatus provides braking by releasably contacting at least one of each of the rollers with at least one of each of the torsional springs so as to deflect and then release the torsional spring as the sprocket assembly rotates about the hub assembly. The braking action is effected by transferring the energy of the rotating sprocket assembly into the oscillation of the torsional springs, and then from spring oscillation into heat by means of damping. The braking app…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.