A tactile feedback device (TFD) drum brake has a drum rotor that creates at least two gaps and at least four shear surfaces. Magnetically responsive (MR) material is disposed within the gaps. The TFD drum brake further has an upper and lower magnetic seal to prevent the migration of the MR material from the gaps. The drum rotor is thin and rapidly saturates when a magnetic flux is generated. Controllable torque is created when the drum rotor is saturated. The controllable torque provides feedback to an operator of vehicle with the TFD drum brake installed.

A wing for an aircraft is disclosed having a fixed wing, a foldable wing tip portion mounted to the fixed wing via a hinge rotatable about a hinge axis between an extended position and a folded position, and an actuation unit for actuating the foldable wing tip portion for movement about the hinge axis. The wing includes a brake unit for securing the foldable wing tip portion in the folded position, and the brake unit is formed separately from the actuation unit.

The invention relates to an actuator (1; 1a; 1b) which can be moved from an initial position into a working position having at least one actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) whose dimensions can changed by an electrical signal, Appropriately, at least two restoring means (20, 30; 20a, 30a; 20b, 30b) acting on the actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) are provided for movement into the working position. With the at least two restoring means, a total restoring means characteristic curve, which is composed of portions of the individual, preferably preloaded restoring means as well as a portion of a variable stiffness of the actuator element, can be advantageously tailored.

A mobile radiography system includes a wheeled transport frame and a vertical column mounted on the transport frame. A telescoping arm is attached to the vertical column and to an x-ray tube head. The telescoping arm includes a first section, a second section movable within the first section, and a third section movable within the second section. The first section and the second section each include a drag assembly configured to provide a drag force on the linearly movable section therewithin. The drag assemblies each include a friction material pressed against the linearly movable section to provide a constant drag force on the linearly movable section while it moves. A permanent pressure source presses the friction material against the linearly movable section.

A method for preventing motion of an output shaft (401), of an electromagnetic motor comprising a coil assembly, when a mechanical brake (400) is released, comprising the steps of: determining the position of the output shaft (401); correlating the position of the output shaft (401) with a current such that when applied in the coil assembly induces a force on the output shaft (401) to prevent motion of the output shaft (401) when the mechanical brake (400) is released.

A mechanical brake for arresting movement of the output shaft of a linear electric motor, comprising a pivotally mounted plate having a space for receiving the output shaft of the motor; an electrically operated holding device contacting a free end of the plate and arranged to hold the plate in a condition to permit movement of the output shaft and to permit the plate to pivot to a jamming position; wherein the electrically operated holding device comprises a solenoid to control the movement of the plate.

A free wheel assembly with front clutches comprising a hub sleeve rotatable on a hub pin and a cassette rotatable on the hub pin, a first annular body rotatable on the hub pin and comprising a first crown gear, a second annular body associated with the hub sleeve and comprising a matching second crown gear facing the first crown gear. The first annular body is axially movable relative to the second annular body between a motion transmission configuration and a free wheel configuration and coupling members operate between the first annular body and the cassette. In the free wheel configuration, rotation of the cassette relative to the first annular body forces the coupling members to axially translate the first annular body towards the second annular body, and magnetic members active on the first annular body and opposing the rotation of the first annular body with respect to the hub pin.

A drum brake assembly includes a brake drum, a brake shoe and lining assembly operably displaceable to contact the brake drum, and an electric actuator assembly. The electric actuator assembly has an electric motor with an output shaft, a gear reduction driven by the output shaft, a linear translation assembly having a gear nut driven by the gear reduction, and a connection portion of the linear translation assembly. The output shaft drives the gear reduction through a suitable gear type that can convert a rotation torque of the output shaft to the gear reduction at a right angle. The linear translation assembly linearly translates when the gear nut is driven. As a result of the linear translation, the connection portion actuates the brake shoe and lining assembly to contact the brake drum.

An electronic braking arrangement includes a brake stack assembly, a driver circuit, a current limiter circuit, and a voltage limiter circuit. The driver circuit is operably connected to the brake stack assembly. The current limiter circuit and the voltage limiter circuit are connected in series between the driver circuit and the brake stack assembly to drive friction brake loads in the brake stack assembly with a voltage limited constant drive current.

A hub motor is provided with a simplified structure to make an automobile more cost effective. The hub motor includes a center shaft, a brake disc fixedly connected with the center shaft, a coil support sleeved on the center shaft, and a motor controller. The coil support advantageously includes first and second coil supports that include first and second vents, respectively.