Disc spring assembly
AssigneeGoodrich Actuation Systems Limited
InventorJonathan Darby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims15
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.