Liquid cooled brake

Abstract

A fluid cooled vehicle brake includes a fluid flow passageway disposed in fluid communication with a brake shoe rim carrying a layer of friction material. High thermal conductive members may be disposed within the layer of friction material to conduct heat to the rim. Heat radiator members are mounted within the coolant passageway. A brake fluid flow control includes a diverter valve responsive to brake pedal activation to divert fluid flow from the vehicle heater fluid flow loop to the brake shoe.

1 . A vehicle brake comprising:
 a brake shoe having an annual rim carrying a layer of a brake friction material on a radially outer surface; and   a fluid flow passage carried on a radially inner surface of the rim for circulating fluid past the rim to remove heat from the layer of brake friction material when the layer of brake friction material engages a rotating brake member.   
     
     
         2 . The brake of  claim 1  wherein the fluid passage comprises:
 a web extending radially inward from the inner surface of the rim; and 
 the fluid flow passage formed through the web. 
 
     
     
         3 . The brake of  claim 1  wherein the fluid flow passage comprises:
 a pair of spaced webs, each extending radially inward from the inner surface of the rim; and 
 a wall closing radially inner ends of the first and second webs to form a closed interior defining the fluid flow passage between opposite ends of the web. 
 
     
     
         4 . The brake of  claim 1  wherein:
 the fluid flow passage is integrally formed with the rim. 
 
     
     
         5 . The brake of  claim 1  wherein substantially all of the annular rim and the fluid flow passage are formed of the brake friction material. 
     
     
         6 . The brake of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a heat conductive member disposed within the layer of brake friction material and coupled in heat transfer relationship with the rim. 
 
     
     
         7 . The brake of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of heat conductive members disposed within the layer of brake friction material and coupled in heat transfer relationship with the rim. 
 
     
     
         8 . The brake of  claim 6  wherein the heat conductive member comprises:
 at least one body formed of a high thermal conductive material. 
 
     
     
         9 . The brake of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a heat radiator member coupled in heat transfer relationship with the rim, the heat radiator member disposed in the fluid flow passageway. 
 
     
     
         10 . The brake of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a heat conductive member disposed with the layer of brake friction material, the heat conductive member axially aligned with the heat radiator member. 
 
     
     
         11 . In a vehicle having an engine having a coolant flow passage, a radiator, and the brake having a brake shoe, the improvement comprising:
 radiator having an inlet and outlet;   the engine and the radiator coupled in a first coolant flow loop between a coolant passage in the engine and the radiator;   a second fluid flow loop coupling the engine to a vehicle passenger compartment heater having an inlet and an outlet;   the brake shoe having an annual rim carrying a layer of a brake friction material on a radially outer surface, and a fluid flow passage carried on a radially inner surface of the rim for circulating fluid past the rim to remove heat from the layer of brake friction material when the layer of brake friction material engages a rotating brake member;   a brake fluid flow loop fluidically coupled with the second fluid flow loop; and   a valve coupled between the second fluid flow loop and the brake fluid flow loop to selectively divert fluid from the second loop through the fluid flow passage in the brake shoe.   
     
     
         12 . The improvement of  claim 11  wherein:
 the valve is responsive to activation of a vehicle brake pedal. 
 
     
     
         13 . The improvement of  claim 11  further comprising:
 a pressure switch coupled to the brake fluid flow loop, the pressure switch closing the brake fluid flow loop to fluid flow at a selected pressure to prevent over-pressure in the brake fluid flow loop. 
 
     
     
         14 . The improvement of  claim 11  further comprising:
 the valve fluidically coupled in parallel with the passenger compartment heater.