Non-contacting and torquer brake mechanism
AssigneeAlliedSignal Inc.
InventorCo Si Huynh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A brake mechanism includes an inner assembly secured to a motor shaft and an outer assembly surrounding the inner assembly. The outer assembly includes a permanent magnet or an electromagnet between a pair of ferromagnetic pole structures. The inner assembly also includes a pair of ferromagnetic pole structures. During operation of the brake mechanism, the inner assembly is rotated relative to the outer assembly, and the pole structures cause a magnetic field within the inner assembly to pulsate. The pulsating magnetic field causes the inner assembly to apply a braking torque to the shaft.
Claims20
A brake mechanism comprising:
- an inner assembly including a pair of spaced apart inner ferromagnetic pole structures, each inner pole structure including a plurality of inner salient ferromagnetic poles extending radially outwards;
- and
- an outer assembly surrounding the inner assembly, the outer assembly including a pair of spaced apart outer ferromagnetic pole structures, each outer pole structure including a plurality of outer salient ferromagnetic poles extending radially inwards towards the inner assembly;
- one of the inner and outer assemblies further including a flux source between its pole structure pair;
- the other of the inner and outer assemblies further including a ferromagnetic bridge between its pole structure pair;
- magnetic air gaps being defined by outer surfaces of the inner and outer poles when the outer surfaces of the inner and outer poles are in opposing relationships.
An assembly for a non-contacting brake mechanism, the assembly comprising:
- a first pole structure including a first ferromagnetic disc and a plurality of first salient ferromagnetic poles extending from the first disc in a radial direction;
- a second pole structure including a second ferromagnetic disc and a plurality of second salient ferromagnetic poles extending from the second disc in a radial direction wherein the poles define interpole spaces;
- and
- an annular flux source between the first and second pole structures, the annular flux source providing flux between the first and second pole structures.
A power drive unit of a cargo roller assembly, the power drive unit comprising:
- a transmission;
- an electric motor having a shaft coupled to the transmission;
- and
- a brake mechanism, the brake mechanism including an inner assembly secured to the shaft and an outer assembly surrounding the inner assembly,
- the inner assembly including a pair of inner ferromagnetic pole structures, both inner pole structures including inner salient ferromagnetic poles extending radially outward towards the outer assembly, the inner assembly further including a ferromagnetic bridge between the inner pole structures;
- the outer assembly including a pair of outer ferromagnetic pole structures, both outer pole structures including outer salient ferromagnetic poles extending radially inwards towards the inner assembly;
- the outer assembly further including a flux source between the outer pole structures;
- magnetic air gaps being defined by outer surfaces of the inner and outer poles when the outer surfaces of the inner and outer poles are in opposing relationships.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.