An elevator brake, having a rotatable component mounted to a shaft, is monitored for contamination by projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the rotatable component or onto the shaft, and receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation. If the monitored zone on the rotatable component or the shaft becomes contaminated, for example with oil or grease, the nature of the electromagnetic radiation reflected from the zone will change noticeably.

A reverse rotation prevention mechanism is provided on a torque transmission path between an output shaft and a driving shaft of a motor. The reverse rotation prevention mechanism includes: a first frictional force generation unit configured to inhibit a lock plate provided on the torque transmission path from rotating relative to another member when an external force is exerted on the output shaft; and a second frictional force generation unit configured to generate a braking force that prevents reverse rotation when an external force is exerted on the output shaft by causing a portion of the lock plate to be pressed. The first frictional force generation unit is provided in an area different from the second frictional force generation unit.

An output shaft is configured by connecting a first shaft and a second shaft, coaxially arranged with each other, by a reverse input cutoff clutch 20; an end portion on one side in an axial direction of the second shaft located on an opposite side from the first shaft with a gear portion sandwiched in between in the axial direction being rotatably supported with respect to a fixed portion by a bearing device; the reverse input cutoff clutch having a function that, when rotational torque is input to the first shaft, transmits the rotational torque input to the first shaft to the second shaft, and when rotational torque is reversely input to the second shaft, completely cuts off the rotational torque reversely input to the second shaft and does not transmit the rotational torque to the first shaft, or transmits part of the rotational torque to the first shaft and cuts off the remaining portion.

Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.

Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.

An overload brake and method for trolley suspended on a flange of a load traveling apparatus girder prevents the displacement movement of a suspended load along a girder by clamping a brake between two symmetrical flange tabs of the girder. The girder is elastically deformed by the load which is applied to the girder by the contact between a surface of the girder and translation wheels that move the load along the girder. Upon sufficient elastic deformation, portions of the girder contact a brake to prevent movement of the load along the girder.

A speed limited wheel includes a wheel main body defining a cavity, a urethane wheel outer overmolded to the cavity, a brake hub and a plurality of brake elements. The brake hub is disposed in the cavity and includes a cylindrical flange. The wheel main body is rotatable relative to the brake hub about a wheel rotational axis. The plurality of brake elements is disposed in the cavity and is circumferentially surrounded by the cylindrical flange of the brake hub. Each brake element is pivotally mounted to the wheel main body for pivoting between a first position spaced apart from a cylindrical flange of the brake hub and a second position engaging the cylindrical flange of the brake hub for generating friction to reduce a rotational speed of the wheel. The speed limited wheel may be a caster.

An eddy-current braking mechanism including a rotor, rotatable about a rotor axis; at least one electrically conductive member coupled to the rotor for rotation therewith; at least one magnet configured to apply a magnetic field extending at least partially orthogonal to the plane of rotation of the conductive member, and characterised in that upon rotation of the rotor, the conductive member is configured to move at least partially radially from the rotor axis into the applied magnetic field.

Provided is a vehicle speed control device with respect to which the speed at which a centrifugal brake operates can be easily changed from the outside without disassembling the device. A brake drum 11 is fixed to a vehicle body 101a. A brake shoe 23 rotates around a rotary shaft 20 of the wheel 101c, and reduces the rotation speed of the wheel 101c as a result of coming into contact with an inner circumferential side face of the brake drum 11. A spring 24 prevents contact between the brake drum 11 and the brake shoe 23 when the rotation speed of the wheel 101c is lower than or equal to a predetermined speed, and permits contact between the brake drum 11 and the brake shoe 23 when the rotation speed of the wheel 101c exceeds the predetermined speed. A position change mechanism 25 is installed within the brake drum 11, and changes the position of an end of the spring 24 on one end side. A transmission mechanism 26 transmits a force that is input by an external operation to the position change mechanism 25 and drives the position change mechanism.

Provided is a vehicle speed control device with respect to which the speed at which a centrifugal brake operates can be easily changed from the outside without disassembling the device. A brake drum 11 is fixed to a vehicle body 101a. A brake shoe 23 rotates around a rotary shaft 20 of the wheel 101c, and reduces the rotation speed of the wheel 101c as a result of coming into contact with an inner circumferential side face of the brake drum 11. A spring 24 prevents contact between the brake drum 11 and the brake shoe 23 when the rotation speed of the wheel 101c is lower than or equal to a predetermined speed, and permits contact between the brake drum 11 and the brake shoe 23 when the rotation speed of the wheel 101c exceeds the predetermined speed. A position change mechanism 25 is installed within the brake drum 11, and changes the position of an end of the spring 24 on one end side. A transmission mechanism 26 transmits a force that is input by an external operation to the position change mechanism 25 and drives the position change mechanism.