Mechanical brake

A system, comprising:

• a central shaft to be coupled to a source of mechanical power;
• an input-side driver coupled to an input end portion of the central shaft;
• an input brake plate coupled to the input-side driver;
• an output-side driver coupled to an output end portion of the central shaft;
• an output brake plate coupled to the output-side driver, to the input brake plate, and to a mechanical device to be powered by the source of mechanical power;
• and
• a stator plate located between the input brake plate and the output brake plate;
• wherein when the source of mechanical power applies a first input torque to the central shaft, the first input torque is transmitted from the central shaft to the output-side driver, through the output-side driver to the output brake plate, and through the output brake plate to the mechanical device to drive operation of the mechanical device in a forward direction;
• wherein when the source of mechanical power applies a second input torque to the central shaft, the second input torque is transmitted from the central shaft to the input-side driver and through the input-side driver to the input brake plate to allow operation of the mechanical device in a reverse direction;
• and
• wherein when the source of mechanical power does not apply a torque to the central shaft and the mechanical device is biased toward the reverse direction, the mechanical device applies a third input torque to the output brake plate, the stator plate is compressed between the input brake plate and the output brake plate, and compression of the stator plate between the input brake plate and the output brake plate prevents rotation of the output brake plate.

A method of operating a system including a central shaft, an input brake plate, an output brake plate coupled to a mechanical device, and a stator plate located between the input brake plate and the output brake plate, the method comprising:

• applying a forward input torque to the central shaft;
• transmitting the forward input torque from the central shaft through the output brake plate to the mechanical device, thereby driving forward operation of the mechanical device;
• removing the forward input torque from the central shaft, thereby allowing the mechanical device to bias the output brake plate in a reverse direction, thereby causing the stator plate to be compressed between the input brake plate and the output brake plate, thereby preventing rotation of the output brake plate;
• applying a reverse input torque to the central shaft;
• and
• transmitting the reverse input torque from the central shaft to the input brake plate to allow operation of the mechanical device in reverse.