Patent ID: 6752248
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A multi-disk brake and wheel assembly, comprising:a cantilevered wheel axle; a wheel rim journalled for rotation about the wheel axle; a plurality of brake disks radially surrounding the wheel axle, alternate ones of the brake disks radially fixed to the wheel rim for rotation therewith; an end disk at one axial end of the plurality of brake disks; a pressure plate at the opposite axial end of the plurality of brake disks; an axially asymmetrical torque tube radially surrounding the wheel axle and axially spanning the plurality of brake disks, intervening ones of the plurality of brake disks being angularly fixed to the torque tube, the torque tube being fixed at one end to a braking structure and having the end disk fixed thereto at the other end thereby axially sandwiching the plurality of brake disks between the end disk and the pressure plate, and the torque tube including an annular radially inwardly extending support flange axially intermediate the torque tube ends for supportingly engaging the wheel axle, the support flange including a plurality of holes, at least two of said holes have different areas, thereby imparting asymmetry to the support flange and to the torque tube; and a brake actuating mechanism operable upon command to axially force the pressure plate toward the end disk compressing the plurality of brake disks therebetween.