Patent ID: 6161659
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: B60T,F16D

Abstract:
An electromagnetic brake for braking a shaft which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, said brake comprising:(A) a friction disk which is attachable to the shaft so as to rotate about the axis of rotation of the shaft and to move axially relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft, said friction disk having first and second axially opposed friction surfaces, wherein at least said first friction surface is formed at least substantially entirely out of a rubber material wherein the coefficient of static friction of said rubber material drops by less than 30% when said rubber material is heated from approximately 20.degree. C. to approximately 100.degree. C.;(B) a clapper plate which 1) is fixed from rotation with respect to the axis, and 2) is movable axially between a) a first position in which an axial surface of said clapper plate does not apply pressure to said friction disk and b) a second position in which said axial surface of said clapper plate applies pressure to said first friction surface of said friction disk to apply said brake; and(C) an electromagnetic actuator which, when energized, drives said clapper plate to move from one of said first and second positions to the other of said first and second positions.