Ti Interlock Limited

Wichita Company Limited

Simon Paul Dommett

Ian Nigel Hakon

David T Walter

Barry Pearson

Peter R Davies

Fluid operated brake device

A clutch or brake unit is described with an automatic wear adjustment mechanism. Clutches and brakes operate by the engagement of friction members (4,6) which experience wear in use requiring a larger stroke of the unit to effect engagement. This results in delayed clutch or brake operation which can be a serious disadvantage where prompt action is required. Conventionally this wear has been compensated by replacement of the worn friction members or by manual adjustment of them resulting in temporary disablement of the unit and requiring service personnel time. In the inventive unit, friction members (4,6) are mounted between pressure members (10,2) and an actuator (12) operates against a backing member (15) to effect clutch or brake actuation and de-activation by movement of the friction members towards and away from each other, and the position of at least one of the pressure members is adjusted automatically in response to wear of the friction members. Sprags, ratchet mechanisms, screw threads and tension springs are alternatively described for adjusting this position and the wear can be sensed by a proximity switch or microswitch. Pneumatic and hydraulic mechanisms are also described.

Growing community of inventors

Wootton, United Kingdom

Simon Paul Dommett