Patent ID: 8020673

Claim:
A hydraulic brake system for high speed, rotating machinery comprising: a rotor connected to a shaft, said rotor configured to spin while suspended magnetically, electromagnetically, or by superconductors; at least one housing disposed adjacent to said rotor and defining at least one channel configured for flow of a fluid; at least one moveable member in the housing responsive to flow of said fluid for actuation of the brake system; and at least one tapered brake pad disposed between said moveable member and the rotor; wherein said at least one moveable member seals said fluid in said at least one channel away from said at least one tapered brake pad and said rotor; when said fluid is directed under pressure against said at least one moveable member said fluid urges said at least one moveable member into engagement with the at least one tapered brake pad causing the at least one tapered brake pad to engage the rotor to apply a braking force to said rotor, and removes frictional heat generated by the braking action from the brake system; and said at least one tapered brake pad is configured to self-center the rotor, in order to prevent horizontal and vertical movement of the rotor, when said at least one tapered brake pad applies the braking force on said rotor while the rotor is spinning and suspended magnetically, electromagnetically, or by superconductors.