Spline assembly
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsBrian Shula, Matthew Spray
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some examples, a brake assembly includes a torque tube supporting at least one spline configured to receive a torque from one or more stator discs. The spline includes a central member configured to couple to the torque tube and a load member configured to receive the torque. The load member is configured to move relative to the central member from an unloaded position to a loaded position when the load member receives the torque. In examples, the spline includes a flex member biased to return the load member from the loaded position to the unloaded position.
Claims20
An assembly comprising:
- a spline configured to receive a torque from a stator disc of a brake assembly to limit rotational movement of the stator disc around a wheel axis defining an axial direction, the spline comprising:
- a central member defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a spline axis extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the spline axis extends in the axial direction when the central member is supported by a torque tube of the brake assembly;
- and
- a load member configured to receive the torque,
- wherein the load member is configured to move relative to the central member in a movement direction along the spline axis when the load member receives the torque, and
- wherein the load member is configured to transfer the torque to the central member.
An assembly comprising:
- a disc stack including a plurality of stator discs interleaved with a plurality of rotor discs, wherein the plurality of rotor discs are configured to rotate around a wheel axis defining an axial direction;
- a torque tube configured to extend through a central aperture defined by the disc stack;
- an actuator configured to translate at least the plurality of stator discs in the axial direction when the actuator compresses the disc stack, wherein the plurality of stator discs are configured to engage the plurality of rotor discs when the actuator compresses the disc stack;
- and
- a spline configured to receive a torque from the plurality of stator discs when the plurality of stator discs engage the plurality of rotor discs, the spline comprising:
- a central member coupled to body of the torque tube;
- a load member;
- and
- a flex member between the load member and the control member,
- wherein the load member is configured to receive the torque,
- wherein the load member is configured to move relative to the central member in the axial direction when the load member receives the torque,
- wherein the flex member is configured to deform when the load member moves relative to the central member, and
- wherein the load member is configured to transfer the torque to the central member.
A method, comprising:
- receiving, by a load member of a spline, a torque from a stator disc of a brake assembly, wherein the spline is configured to limit rotational movement of the stator disc around a wheel axis defining an axial direction, the spline comprising:
- a central member defining a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a spline axis extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the spline axis extends in the axial direction, and
- the load member;
- moving, using the spline, the load member relative to the central member in a movement direction along the spline axis when the load member receives the torque;
- and
- transferring, using the load member, the torque to the central member, wherein the central member is configured to couple to a torque tube of the brake assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.