Ausco Products, Inc.

Brett A Starr

Brian P Dennis

Peter J Pozivilko

Howard H Baldeosingh

Kenneth A Dodd

LynRoy T Palmer-Coleman

Ray F Schnell

David Alley

Michael J Murphy

Theodore E Hornus

Jeffrey L Michael

Lynroy Palmer-Coleman

A wet brake cooling fluid system includes a cooling fluid supply line that is divided into a plurality of parallel paths. One path is in fluid communication with the motive side of a venturi eductor pump. Another pump is directed into the brake after passing through a fixed orifice that restricts flow. At least on path is in fluid communication with the brake after passing through a valve that is piloted to a brake piston, the valve only opening upon actuation of the brake. A drain hose connects the brake to the suction side of the venturi eductor pump, thereby causing evacuation of the fluid from the brake. Due to the restriction of fluid flowing into the brake by the valve, the brake chamber remains substantially empty during non-braking conditions, and is flooded upon actuation of the brake and opening of the valve.

Wet brake cooling fluid system

A ball ramp brake including a housing, a disc assembly within the housing, and an annular rotatable actuator to actuate the brake by compressing the disc assembly. The rotatable actuator includes a plurality of depressions oriented circumferentially therein which become progressively shallower in a first circumferential direction. A plurality of depressions are circumferentially oriented in a surface of the housing and become progressively shallower in a second circumferential direction. The depressions in the actuator and the depressions in the housing each have a first angle of depression that is steeper than a second angle of depression. A boot seal may be provided between the fluid chamber of an actuating cylinder and the inner area within the housing to prevent fluid leakage. In addition, a cooling chamber may be provided in the housing to improve the brakes efficiency.

Ball ramp brake

A brake ( ) for a wheel of a vehicle includes a housing ( ) having one end closed by an end plate ( ) which is adapted to be attached to the vehicle. An axle assembly ( ) is received in the housing ( ) and is adapted to be attached to the wheel for rotation therewith. The axle assembly includes a drive surface ( ) which carries a shaft sleeve ( ) having a splined outer surface ( ). A disc brake assembly ( ) is immersed in a fluid in the housing ( ) and includes a plurality of rotatable discs ( ) carried by the splined surface ( ) and a plurality of stationary discs ( ) which alternate with the rotatable discs ( ) to form the disc brake assembly ( ). Each of the stationary discs ( ) has ears ( A, B) which are received in brackets ( ) carried by the housing ( ). A piston ring ( ) is moveable to cause the stationary discs ( ) to engage the rotatable discs ( ) to apply a braking torque to the wheel. Return springs ( ) act on ears ( A) of the end stationary disc ( A) and thus on the piston ring ( ) to separate the discs ( ) upon removal of the braking torque.

Vehicle brake system

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Michigan City, IN, United States of America

Brett A Starr