An electromagnetic brake is provided in which short duration current pulses move the brake between engaged and disengaged states. A first current pulse having a first polarity is delivered to a conductor within a field shell when the brake is engaged and establishes an electromagnetic circuit including the field shell and an armature plate that urges the armature plate away from a rotating friction plate and towards the field shell to disengage the brake. A magnetic circuit is maintained after termination of the first current pulse due to a remanence in at least one of the armature plate and the field shell. A second current pulse having a second polarity opposite the first polarity delivered to the conductor when the brake is disengaged weakens the magnetic circuit thereby allowing a spring to move the armature plate away from the field shell and towards the friction plate to engage the brake.

To reduce abnormal noise production in a friction brake structure, the friction brake structure includes: a brake plate (20) fixed to a rotating shaft (15) of a rotary electric machine (1); a ring-shaped brake shoe (30) disposed facing the brake plate; and a brake shoe support plate (40) which engages with a fixing portion of the rotary electric machine so as to be movable in an axial direction, and which supports the brake shoe and is biased by biasing action so as to bring the brake shoe into sliding contact with the brake plate.

To reduce abnormal noise production in a friction brake structure, the friction brake structure includes: a brake plate (20) fixed to a rotating shaft (15) of a rotary electric machine (1); a ring-shaped brake shoe (30) disposed facing the brake plate; and a brake shoe support plate (40) which engages with a fixing portion of the rotary electric machine so as to be movable in an axial direction, and which supports the brake shoe and is biased by biasing action so as to bring the brake shoe into sliding contact with the brake plate.

A control system for mechanical braking devices is provided. The control system is designed to selectively slow, stop, and lock in place rotating machinery that is turning at an RPM that may be much greater than zero while helping minimize shock load on the rotating machinery. A fan brake control system is provided which can include: a fan brake; a position sensor; a microcontroller; an actuator; an operator interface; and a fan motor interface.

An arrangement and method for mounting a brake disc to an axle hub of a vehicle is provided. The arrangement includes wedge-shaped holes at an radially inner region of the brake disc, corresponding wedge-shaped key inserts, a retaining device such as a retaining ring, and mounting devices such as bolts or studs and nuts that pass through the retaining ring and keys to bias the keys against the axle hub. The circumferential sides of the wedge shapes are aligned with radial lines extending from the rotation axis of the axle hub. This arrangement and method provides a simple, robust and easily installed brake disc mounting that minimizes heat transfer between the brake disc and the axle hub and accommodates thermal expansion of the brake disc and the axle hub to minimize thermal expansion-induced stresses to the brake disc.

Aspects are provided herein for vehicle structures. The vehicle structures can include a caliper portion configured to apply a braking force, the caliper portion including an inner housing, an outer housing, and a bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion connects the inner housing and the outer housing. In various embodiments, the outer housing can include an inner surface configured to face a rotor, in which the inner surface includes a sweep area configured to allow the rotor to tilt during installation and removal of the rotor. The vehicle structures can further include an upright portion configured to couple to a wheel of a vehicle, the upright portion being connected to the inner housing. Further, the vehicle structure can include a stiffening portion that connects the upright portion to at least the bridge portion or the outer housing. In various embodiments, the vehicle structures can be 3D-printed.

An elevator braking device includes a body, with its interior accommodating at least a part of a brake disc, and a support member axially fixed relative to the brake disc; a guide member connected to the support member, wherein the body is movable relative to the brake disc along the guide member; a first friction member and a control portion which are arranged inside the body and adjacent to a first side of the brake disc, wherein a part of the control portion is connected to the body, and the first friction member moves along the guide member under control of the control portion to be in contact with the first side to perform a braking operation in a first state, and to be out of contact with the first side in a second state, respectively.

An elevator braking device includes a body, with its interior accommodating at least a part of a brake disc, and a support member axially fixed relative to the brake disc; a guide member connected to the support member, wherein the body is movable relative to the brake disc along the guide member; a first friction member and a control portion which are arranged inside the body and adjacent to a first side of the brake disc, wherein a part of the control portion is connected to the body, and the first friction member moves along the guide member under control of the control portion to be in contact with the first side to perform a braking operation in a first state, and to be out of contact with the first side in a second state, respectively.

A fully-electric lift vehicle comprises a base, a battery arranged within the base, a drive motor powered by the battery and configured to drive a wheel, a scissor lift including a first end coupled to the base, a work platform supported on a second end of the scissor lift, and a linear actuator including a DC shunt motor powered by the battery. The scissor lift is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The linear actuator is coupled to the scissor lift so that rotation of the DC shunt motor moves the scissor lift between the extended position and the retracted position. The DC shunt motor includes a rotor and a permanent magnet, the DC shunt motor being configured to act like a generator and reduce a speed of the rotor in response to the battery being fully discharged or a power failure.

A fully-electric lift vehicle comprises a base, a battery arranged within the base, a drive motor powered by the battery and configured to drive a wheel, a scissor lift including a first end coupled to the base, a work platform supported on a second end of the scissor lift, and a linear actuator including a DC shunt motor powered by the battery. The scissor lift is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The linear actuator is coupled to the scissor lift so that rotation of the DC shunt motor moves the scissor lift between the extended position and the retracted position. The DC shunt motor includes a rotor and a permanent magnet, the DC shunt motor being configured to act like a generator and reduce a speed of the rotor in response to the battery being fully discharged or a power failure.