Mechanism automatically applies a braking action on a moving item, in either direction of motion, immediately upon removal of the driving force and with no human operator involvement. This device would be useful wherever free movement is undesirable after an object has been guided into a precise position

Pizzo, J.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Drive 
Shaft 
October 1966	 Brief 66-10484 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U. S. space 
program and to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Braking Mechanism Is Self Actuating and Bidirectional
GUMMEA 
The problem: 
It is desired to effect a braking action on a moving 
item of equipment, in either direction of motion, im-
mediately upon removal of the driving force and with 
no human operator involvement. 
The solution: 
A mechanism that automatically applies braking 
force, regardless of the driving force direction, and 
permits no coasting. 
How it's done: 
In operation, driving torque is applied in either di-
rection of rotation to the drive shaft. Rotation of the 
drive shaft causes the balls that are seated against the 
cam to ride slightly up the cam surface, depressing the
(continued overicaf) 
spring and thus forcing the tapered surface of the cam 
away from the mating surface of the threaded socket. 
The shaft is now free to turn so long as a constant 
driving force is applied to it. Upon removal of the 
driving force, the balls return to their original seats 
against the cam and release the spring which causes 
the mating surfaces of the cam and threaded socket to 
re-engage, thereby producing immediate braking 
action. 
Notes: 
I. This device would be useful wherever free move-
ment is undesirable after an object has been guided 
into a precise position. It could be used for precise 
control of the raising and lowering of objects on a 
chain hoist. 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000482 2020-03-11T17:38:09+00:00Z
2. The automatic brake could be used on wheeled 	 Patent status: 
equipment operating on slopes in circumstances 	 No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
that can not tolerate slippage:	 Source: Joseph Pizzo 
3. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di- 	 of North American Aviation, Inc. 
rected to:	 under contract to 
Technology Utilization Officer	 Marshall Space Flight Center 
Marshall Space Flight Center 	 (M-FS-1299)
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: B66-10484
. 
Brief 66-10484	 Category 05


Braking mechanism is self actuating and bidirectional

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