A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it, are described. The mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation thereof, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

A centrifugal brake mechanism for a controlled descent device, and a drum device employing it, are described. The mechanism comprises a circular wheel configured and operable to rotate about an axis of rotation thereof, an axle extending along and rotatable about the axis inside a central cavity of the wheel and having two or more parallel shaft rods extending inside the cavity substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation, a gear system for transferring rotations of the wheel into counter-rotations of the axle, one or more brake elements each having pass-through bores for slidably mounting over the two or more parallel shaft rods, springs mounted over the parallel shaft rods between the brake element and the axle, and a friction enhancement mechanism for increasing friction forces between the brake elements and the inner wall the wheel responsive to increase in angular velocity of the wheel.

The invention relates to a tool apparatus (10) with a drivable tool (1), comprising a shaft (2) which is coupled to the tool (1), further comprising one or plural braking bodies (3) which in particular are arranged distributed around the shaft (2) in the circumferential direction, wherein the tool apparatus (10) is adapted to bring the one or plural braking bodies (3) from a release state into a braking state in the course of a braking procedure, wherein in the braking state the one or the plural braking bodies (3) are in contact with the shaft and thereby exert a braking force upon the shaft (2), so that the shaft (2) and thereby also the tool (1) are braked and wherein in the release state the one or the plural braking bodies (3) are not in contact with the shaft (2).

The invention relates to a tool apparatus (10) with a drivable tool (1), comprising a shaft (2) which is coupled to the tool (1), further comprising one or plural braking bodies (3) which in particular are arranged distributed around the shaft (2) in the circumferential direction, wherein the tool apparatus (10) is adapted to bring the one or plural braking bodies (3) from a release state into a braking state in the course of a braking procedure, wherein in the braking state the one or the plural braking bodies (3) are in contact with the shaft and thereby exert a braking force upon the shaft (2), so that the shaft (2) and thereby also the tool (1) are braked and wherein in the release state the one or the plural braking bodies (3) are not in contact with the shaft (2).

Aspects of the technology relate to a braking assembly for a lateral propulsion system of a high altitude platform (HAP) configured to operate in the stratosphere. Power is supplied to a propeller assembly as needed during lateral propulsion so that the HAP can move to a desired location or remain on station. When lateral propulsion is not needed, power is no longer supplied to the propeller assembly and it may slowly cease rotating. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to cause the propeller assembly to stop rotating as soon as possible. This can include an unplanned descent. Rapid braking can avoid the propeller blades from entangling in the envelope, parachute or other parts of the HAP. A reusable brake is employed to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the propeller on descent, or otherwise to prevent the propeller from spinning freely when not being used to propel the HAP laterally.

Aspects of the technology relate to a braking assembly for a lateral propulsion system of a high altitude platform (HAP) configured to operate in the stratosphere. Power is supplied to a propeller assembly as needed during lateral propulsion so that the HAP can move to a desired location or remain on station. When lateral propulsion is not needed, power is no longer supplied to the propeller assembly and it may slowly cease rotating. However, in certain situations, it may be necessary to cause the propeller assembly to stop rotating as soon as possible. This can include an unplanned descent. Rapid braking can avoid the propeller blades from entangling in the envelope, parachute or other parts of the HAP. A reusable brake is employed to prevent uncontrolled rotation of the propeller on descent, or otherwise to prevent the propeller from spinning freely when not being used to propel the HAP laterally.

The invention relates to a bearing assembly (10) comprising at least one first bearing element (12) and a second bearing element (14) which are rotatably connected relative to each other along a common longitudinal axis (14). The bearing assembly (10) comprises a brake device (18) which inhibits the rotation of the two bearing elements (12) relative to each other by means of a frictional force produced by the brake device (18), wherein the brake device (18) has at least one frictional element (20) and at least one clamping device (22), by means of which the frictional element (20) is permanently clamped against one of the two bearing elements (12). The bearing assembly also comprises a coupling device (30) which can be moved between an open state and a closed state. In the closed state, the brake device (18) is engaged, whereby when the two bearing elements (12) rotate relative to each other, the rotation is inhibited by the frictional force produced by the brake device (18), and in the open state, the brake device (18) is disengaged.

A four-state joint brake module is provided to selectably stop or allow motion in both directions resulting in a mechanism that has four possible states: 1) allowing rotation only in a clockwise direction, 2) allowing rotation only in a counter-clockwise direction, 3) allowing free rotation in both directions, and 4) stopping motion in both directions. In robotic and other motion control applications the use of this four-state joint brake module in a multi-segmented linkage allows for position holding without continuous application of power and fail safe behavior. It further allows for the ability to toggle this useful state behavior independently in either direction and is relevant for robotic applications.

A cone brake no-back includes an input no-back disk, an output no-back disk; and a no-back ball ramp mechanism operably connected to the input no-back disk and the output no back disk. An input no-back cone is operably connected to and supportive of the input no-back disk. The input no-back cone is axially loaded by an input no-back spring. An output no-back cone is operably connected to and supportive of the output no-back disk. The output no-back cone is axially loaded by an output no-back spring. A no-back input shaft is operably connected to the input no-back disk and the output no back disk, and a no-back output shaft is operably connected to the output no back disk.

A cone brake no-back includes an input no-back disk, an output no-back disk; and a no-back ball ramp mechanism operably connected to the input no-back disk and the output no back disk. An input no-back cone is operably connected to and supportive of the input no-back disk. The input no-back cone is axially loaded by an input no-back spring. An output no-back cone is operably connected to and supportive of the output no-back disk. The output no-back cone is axially loaded by an output no-back spring. A no-back input shaft is operably connected to the input no-back disk and the output no back disk, and a no-back output shaft is operably connected to the output no back disk.