Patent ID: 6766884
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A brake system for a rotating component, said brake system comprising:a plurality of discs coupled to said component to rotate with said component about an axis, each disc having first and second opposite radial surfaces; a plurality of brake means fixed against rotation but linearly movable relative to said discs parallel to said axis, each brake means having a braking surface; said discs and brake means juxtaposed so that at least one of the radial surfaces of each disc is facing the braking surface of a brake means; at least one of the facing braking surface and the radial surface being provided with a plurality of grooves, said grooves oriented to provide fluid flow paths across said at least one of said facing braking surface and radial surface; a mechanism for axially moving said brake means relative to said disc between an engaged position where said braking surface is in engagement with a facing radial surface and a disengaged position where said braking surface is spaced from said facing radial surface; a sealed housing in which said discs and brake means reside, said housing containing a volume of liquid through which said discs rotate; and at least one scraper supported on at least one of said brake means for scraping liquid from a facing radial surface of a disc, said scraper being axially moveable between a first position in which said scraper extends axially beyond said braking surface of said brake means, and a second position where said scraper is retracted axially to lie at least substantially flush with or below said braking surface, whereby said scraper engages said facing radial surface prior to said braking surface engaging said facing radial surface when said brake means is moved toward said engaged position from said disengaged position.