Fred W Berwanger

US Patent:

6752248, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Feb 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/078634

Inventors:

Fred W. Berwanger - Edwardsburg MI

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 6538

US Classification:

188 7339, 188 715, 188 7331, 192 702

Abstract:

An axially asymmetrical vibration-reducing torque tube radially surrounds an axle and axially spans brake disks with intervening ones of the brake disks angularly fixed to a torque tube. The torque tube is a hollow generally annular member having an axis, a radially outwardly flared portion near one end to facilitate axially fixing end one of the disks, a flange near the other end thereof adapted to fix the torque tube to the stationary member, and a radially inwardly extending annular support flange intermediate the one and other end for augmenting the support of the tube on the stationary member. Cut-outs in support flange impart dynamic asymmetry to the torque tube and displace its elastic center off-axis of the brake discs, reducing the brake vibration amplitudes. A brake actuating mechanism is operable upon command to axially force the pressure plate toward the end plate compressing the brake disks therebetween.

US Patent:

52731405, Dec 28, 1993

Filed:

Sep 25, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/951057

Inventors:

Fred W. Berwanger - South Bend IN

Assignee:

Allied-Signal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 6512

US Classification:

188 731

Abstract:

The brake disc annular drive insert (20, 30, 50) comprises a single (20, 50) or two-part (30) generally cylindrical member with radially extending flanges (26, 36, 46, 56) at opposite axial ends thereof. The drive insert (20, 30, 50) includes a generally cylindrical body (22, 32, 52) having an opening (21, 31, 51) at one side thereof which extends diametrically into the body (22, 32, 52) and terminates at a point between the center of revolution (A) of the body (22, 32, 52) and an outer surface of the body (22, 32, 52). The opening (21, 31, 51) in the body (22, 32, 52) extends to an inner surface (24, 34, 54) of the body (22, 32, 52) to provide a generally rectangular opening (21, 31, 51) for receiving a spline (8) of a torque tube (6). The flanges may comprise either generally annular flanges shaped complementary with the generally cylindrical body and also may be truncated at a side opposite the opening in the body. The two-part drive insert (30) comprises one part (38) having one flange (36) and the body (32) with a radially inwardly extending shoulder (38A) defining an end of a recess (39) and a second part (40) which has the other flange (46) and includes an axially extending portion (42) having a radially outwardly extending shoulder (45) which can be entered rotatably into the recess (39) of the body (32) and engaged with the radially inwardly extending shoulder (38A).

US Patent:

54859026, Jan 23, 1996

Filed:

Aug 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/286307

Inventors:

Fred W. Berwanger - South Bend IN

Assignee:

AlliedSignal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 6538

US Classification:

188196A

Abstract:

The present invention provides a hydraulic brake piston adjuster assembly (10) that includes a first or outer piston (30) housing and a second inner piston (40). The first piston (30) has a first piston end (31) received within a housing bore (16) and the end (31) extends axially to include an inlet (32) having a relief valve mechanism (34). The second piston (40)includes an axially inner second piston end (42) received within the bore (36) of the first piston (30) and extends axially to encompass the inlet (32) of the first piston (30) and so that the piston ends (31, 42) define therebetween an inner piston chamber (50). A first piston second end abuts a running clearance adjustment mechanism (59) comprising an axially displaceable collar member (60). When hydraulic brake pressure is received within a piston housing chamber (17) of the housing bore (16), the first and second pistons (30, 40) are displaced axially outwardly of the housing bore (16) such that the collar member (60)is displaced with the first piston (30) and takes up a clearance (X). After the clearance (X) is taken up, hydraulic pressure opens the relief valve mechanism (34) to permit fluid flow into the inner piston chamber (50) and displace the second piston (40) relative to the first piston (30).

US Patent:

56998813, Dec 23, 1997

Filed:

Nov 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/757493

Inventors:

Fred William Berwanger - South Bend IN
Daniel S. Reynolds - Long Beach CA

Assignee:

AlliedSignal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 5536

US Classification:

188 715

Abstract:

A multi-disc brake (80) includes a piston housing (102) and attached torque tube (94) located about an axle (87). Integrated within the piston housing (102) is a brake actuator (90). The piston housing (102) is located axially between an actuator member (98) of the brake actuator (90) and an axle sleeve (109) and radial portion 87a of the axle (87). Hydraulic actuation of the brake actuator (90) displaces axially the actuator member (98) against a stationary thrust sleeve (99) such that the piston housing (102) is compressed between the actuator member (98) and axle sleeve (109), thereby reducing torsional vibrational movement of the piston housing (102) and torque tube (94) about the axle (87).

US Patent:

55425046, Aug 6, 1996

Filed:

Aug 5, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/286300

Inventors:

Fred W. Berwanger - South Bend IN

Assignee:

AlliedSignal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 6554

US Classification:

188 718

Abstract:

The external concentric aircraft brake piston adjuster assembly (10, 100, 200) comprises in a piston housing (12, 112, 21 2) a housing bushing bore (19, 119, 219) having disposed slidably therein a brake piston (30, 130, 230) with a shoulder (35) abutted by a deformable member or adjuster tube (40, 140, 240) of the assembly (10, 100, 200). The deformable member (40, 140, 240) has a second end (42, 142, 242) extending exteriorly of the bore (19, 119, 219) and is engaged by a brake piston adjuster (11, 11', 11", 111', 211') that includes a radially inwardly extending end (54) of a deforming member or collar member (50). The collar member (50) includes the first end (51) disposed opposite and adjacent a first end (62) of the nut member (60), first ends (51, 62) including steps (53, 63) receiving and positioning a resilient member or disc spring (70). As the piston (30) is displaced axially from the bore (19) by hydraulic brake pressure, the deformable member (41) travels with the piston (30) and displaces the collar member (50) relative to the nut member (60) and housing (12), to take up a piston return stroke clearance ("X"). As displacement of the piston (30) and adjuster tube (40) extends beyond the clearance ("X"), the collar member (50) deforms the adjuster tube (40) to effect an adjusted position of the piston (30) relative to the housing (12).

US Patent:

51542625, Oct 13, 1992

Filed:

Aug 21, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/748311

Inventors:

Fred W. Berwanger - South Bend IN

Assignee:

Allied-Signal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 6554

US Classification:

188196R

Abstract:

The brake piston adjuster mechanism includes an expandable or deformable tube (80) which is attached to the piston (60) and engaged by a deforming member comprising a pin (190) having a threaded end (194) receiving thereon a nut (193) and tube expander (192). The nut (193) biases the tube expander (192) against a chamfered pin shoulder (191). The tube expander (192) has at least one inner diameter chamfer (198) which engages the chamfered pin shoulder (191) in order to impose preload forces upon the chamfered pin shoulder (191) and reduce stresses at a smaller diameter portion (195) of the pin. The (193) nut may be a castellated nut (193) which receives a locking wire or pin (200) extending through an opening (199) in the threaded end (194) of the pin (190). Alternatively, the tube expander and nut may comprise a one-piece expander nut (293, 393, 493) having an enlarged radially extending end poriton (294, 394, 494 ) and the nut (293, 393, 493), when advanced along the threads of the pin (190), causes a chamfer (298, 398, 498) of the end portion (294, 394, 494) to advance along the chamfered pin shoulder (191) and cause the end portion (294, 394, 494) to deform elastically, improving the preload retention of the connection.

US Patent:

62410520, Jun 5, 2001

Filed:

May 6, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/306597

Inventors:

Fred William Berwanger - South Bend IN

Assignee:

AlliedSignal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 5536

US Classification:

188 715

Abstract:

The integrated aircraft wheel, brake and axle comprises a hollow wheel and brake axle (16, 116) having longitudinal splines (17, 117) about its outer periphery, the longitudinal splines (17, 117) engaging splines (62, 162) of a piston housing (60, 160) to effect a non-rotatable connection therebetween. In one embodiment, the piston housing (60) is connected by way of a spline sleeve (70) with a backing plate (80). A wheel (45) is rotatably mounted upon an end of the brake axle (16) and includes a drum drive (52) which extends axially to a drum drive end (52A) having at its inner diameter a bearing assembly (55, 56) between the drum drive end (52A) and an outer diameter of the piston housing (60). In another embodiment, the drum drive (152) may include a thrust flange (151) engaging a rotor disc backing plate (192A). A plurality of stator discs (90, 190) are connected non-rotatably with the spline sleeve (70, 170) and splines (17, 117) of the brake axle (16, 116) and a plurality of rotors (92, 192) are connected with a plurality of splines (53, 153) attached to the inner diameter of the drum drive (52, 152).

US Patent:

60168927, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Aug 1, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/905246

Inventors:

Fred William Berwanger - South Bend IN

Assignee:

AlliedSignal Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

F16D 5502
F16D 5518
F16D 6500

US Classification:

188 718

Abstract:

An adjustment arrangement or adjuster for a hydraulic brake actuator (5) of the type having a piston (13) which moves a preferred distance within a cylindrical bore (18) in a housing (7) between a quiescent retracted position with a preferred clearance space (25) between one piston end (10) and a brake member (2) of a heat stack (1), and an extended position with the one piston end (10) engaging and actuating the brake member (2) in response to the application of hydraulic fluid pressure, includes a return spring (19) which, upon relief of the hydraulic pressure, urges the piston (13) back from the brake member (1) engaging position to the retracted position. An internally disposed mechanical piston clearance space adjuster includes inner (15) and outer (17) concentric sleeves, the inner one of which establishes a normally fixed anchor location (39) comprising a rim and/or washer (39a) engaging and holding one end of the return spring (19) during spring compression, and an arrangement for moving the anchor location to a new fixed location in response to piston translation exceeding the preferred clearance space (25) thereby changing the quiescent position to which the return spring (19) forces the piston (13) and reestablishing the preferred clearance space (25).