Clutch/brake

Abstract

A clutch/brake for alternatively connecting a rotatably driven shaft to a driving member and a stationary member has clutch plates operatively connecting the driven shaft and the driving member and brake plates operatively connecting the driven shaft and the stationary member. A clutch operator for urging the clutch plates together is connected to rotate with the driving member. A brake operator for urging the brake plates together is connected to rotate with the driven shaft. A linkage connects the clutch and brake operators to move axially together and includes a bearing which transmits axial thrust loads statically when the clutch is engaged. An annular pneumatic piston moves the clutch and brake operators in a first axial direction to engage the clutch, is connected to the outer bearing race and rotates with the driving member. Brake springs bias the clutch and brake operators in a second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction to engage the brake and are connected to the inner bearing race. A second bearing connects the driven shaft and the housing and is statically loaded with the force of the brake springs when the clutch is engaged. A force exerted by the piston is transmitted through the linkage bearing in the first axial direction to disengage the brake and a force exerted by the biasing means is transmitted through the bearing in the second axial direction to disengage the clutch.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.