EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. … Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation today announced a new heavy-duty air-cooled, spring-applied/pressure released disc brake for surface mining, oilfield, and other heavy industrial applications. Based on a groundbreaking floating housing design, the Airflex™ FHB is rated for more than 430,000 lb-in of torque. It provides a full 360° annular disc that extends friction pad wear life and friction pads that can be changed in less than an hour.

“The FHB is an optimum choice for applications like large draglines that are characterized by non-cyclic brake engagement. They are also well-suited for equipment operating at higher speeds or requiring precise balance of the rotating components,” said Eaton Airflex product manager Mark Reitz.

The floating housing design uses a solid rotor and stationary friction material to develop equal torque in either direction of rotation. The disc is mounted on the shaft, which is to be stopped while the brake assembly is attached to the machine frame. This design eliminates the need for a spline and the associated wear spline tooth or gear wear.

Eaton’s specially designed tapered lock assembly minimizes downtime by providing easy removal of the brake’s disc hub, eliminating the need to heat and press a bound hub which can become a day-long procedure.

“Because the new brake does not use a spline, rotor wear is eliminated during motor reversals and while freewheeling,” Reitz added. “This gearless feature provides exceptionally high product life. The FHB also uses a long wearing, organic friction material and a rugged, solid-cast rotating disc that provides lower inertia than typical caliper brakes. For the end user, the FHB combines the quick friction material change of a caliper with the long friction material life and low inertia of a disc brake.”

Airflex™ FHB specifications, pricing and lead times are immediately available through Eaton and its global channel partners. 

Eaton’s Hydraulics business is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of a comprehensive line of reliable, high-efficiency hydraulic systems and components for use in mobile and stationary applications. Mobile and stationary markets include agriculture, alternative energy, construction, forestry, manufacturing, material handling, mining, oil and gas, processing, transportation and utility equipment. Eaton’s Hydraulics Group provides customer-driven solutions under product names such as Aeroquip®, Boston®, Char-Lynn®, Eaton®, Hydrokraft®, Hydrowa®, Hydro-Line®, Integrated Hydraulics®, SEL®, Synflex®, Vickers®, Walterscheid™, and Weatherhead®. For more information, visit www.eaton.com/hydraulics.

Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with more than 100 years of experience providing energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power. With 2011 sales of $16.0 billion, Eaton is a global technology leader in electrical components, systems and services for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.