Patent ID: 6478123
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: F15B

Abstract:
A brake for a plunger of a hydraulic elevator comprising:a pressure plate being movable along an axis generally parallel with an axis of the plunger; a first brake ring encircling the plunger with an inner surface for engagement with the plunger, the first brake ring having a second surface for force engagement with the pressure plate, and the first brake ring having an outer wedge surface, and wherein the brake ring is fabricated from a metal softer than a metal which is utilized to fabricate the plunger; a first wedge plate, the wedge plate having a first wedge surface for engagement with the wedge surface of the first brake ring; a spring biasing the pressure plate and wedge plate toward one another; and a fluid release actuator urging the pressure plate away from the wedge plate wherein upon release of the actuator relative movement of the pressure plate towards the first wedge plate causes the brake ring to circumferentially grip the plunger and prevent movement of the plunger.