# US 10,865,846 B2 · Disc spring assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,846 B2 - Document ID: US10865846B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/286,868 - Filed: 2019-02-27 - Published: 2019-09-26 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-22 - Assignees: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited - Applicants: Goodrich Actuation Systems Limited - Inventors: Jonathan Darby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865846B2 ## CPC - F16F 3/023: {composed only of leaf springs} - F16F 1/32: Belleville-type springs (friction-clutch diaphragm springs F16D13/583) - F16F 3/02: with springs made of steel or of other material having low internal friction - F16D 13/583: {Diaphragm-springs, e.g. Belleville (co-operation with a disengaging thrust ring or bearing F16D23/14)} - F16F 2224/0208: Alloys - F16F 2230/0023: protective - F16F 2232/08: Linear - F16F 2234/06: plane or flat - F16F 2236/04: Compression - F16F 2238/022: leaf-like, e.g. of thin, planar-like metal - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - F16D: COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES ## Abstract A disc spring assembly comprises a disc spring support having a radially outer surface and a plurality of annular disc springs arranged in a stack over the radially outer surface of the disc spring support. Each annular disc spring comprises a substantially frusto-conical or dished shape and has a radially inner edge region mounted on the radially outer surface of the disc spring support and a radially outer edge region. At least one separator disc is arranged between two axially adjacent disc springs and has a radially outer portion having opposed axially facing surfaces for receiving the radially outer edge regions of the two axially adjacent disc springs. The radially outer portion of the separator disc have at least one drainage passage for allowing drainage of a liquid from a cavity between the disc springs. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A disc spring assembly comprising: a disc spring support having a radially outer surface; a plurality of annular disc springs arranged in a stack over the radially outer surface of the disc spring support, each annular disc spring comprising a substantially frusto-conical or dished shape and having a radially inner edge region mounted on the radially outer surface of the disc spring support and a radially outer edge region; and at least one separator disc arranged between two axially adjacent disc springs; the separator disc having a radially outer portion having opposed axially facing surfaces for receiving the radially outer edge regions of the two axially adjacent disc springs, the radially outer portion of the separator disc having at least one drainage passage formed therein for allowing drainage of a liquid from a cavity defined between the axially adjacent disc springs. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of drainage passages in the radially outer portion of the separator disc. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of drainage passages are arranged circumferentially equi-spaced around the separator disc. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the separator disc comprises a radially inner web and wherein the radially outer portion of the separator disc is a radially outer rim portion which extends axially beyond the radially inner web portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one drainage passage is formed as an axially extending slot formed through the radially outer rim portion (38). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slot is generally U-shaped. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slot extends radially into the radially inner web portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the axially opposed surfaces of the separator disc are planar surfaces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the axially opposed surfaces of the separator disc are parallel to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the disc spring support further comprises: a radially outwardly extending flange, and wherein a further separator disc is provided between the radially outwardly extending flange and an adjacent disc spring of the plurality of annular disc springs, the further separator disc having opposed axial surfaces for engaging the radially outwardly extending flange and a radially outer edge portion of the adjacent disc spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A disc spring assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an end ring mounted on the radially outer surface of the disc spring support at one end of the stack of annular disc springs, the end ring being axially displaceable along the radially outer surface. ### Claim 12 A separator disc for separating adjacent disc springs, the separator disc comprising: a radially outer portion having opposed axially facing surfaces for receiving radially outer edge regions of the adjacent disc springs, wherein the radially outer portion of the separator disc has at least one drainage passage formed therein extending from a radially inner location to a radially outer location. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A separator disc as claimed in claim 12, wherein the separator disc comprises a radially inner web and a radially outward rim portion which extends axially beyond the radially inner web portion, the axially facing opposed surfaces being formed on the radially outer rim portion, the drainage passage extending radially through the outer rim portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A separator disc as claimed in claim 13, wherein the drainage passage is formed as an axially extending slot formed through the radially outer rim portion and optionally extending into the radially inner web portion. ### Claim 15 A method of preventing accumulation of liquid in a cavity defined between adjacent disc springs in a disc spring assembly, the method comprising: positioning a separator disc between the disc springs, the separator disc having a radially outer portion having opposed axially facing surfaces for receiving radially outer edge regions of the disc springs, the radially outer portion of the separator disc having at least one drainage passage formed therein for allowing liquid to drain from the cavity.