Brake Drum with Vent Hole and Cooling Scoop

Abstract

One embodiment of a brake drum includes a cylindrical main body portion, a brake drum mounting flange portion, a brake drum transition portion, the brake drum transition portion extending between the cylindrical main body portion and the mounting flange portion, the transition portion having a plurality of vent openings, and one air scoop secured at each of the vent openings, whereby rotation of the brake drum and air scoop induces air movement within a brake drum cavity defined by the main body portion. Each air scoop defines a louver opening which faces the angular direction of drum rotation, an air channel in fluid communication with the louver opening and the brake drum cavity, and a deflection surface located in the air channel. The deflection surface is positioned to re-direct air movement entering the louver opening at an angular direction, to a generally radial and inboard direction.

1 . A brake drum comprising:
 a cylindrical main body portion which defines a brake drum cavity;   a brake drum mounting flange portion;   a brake drum transition portion, the brake drum transition portion extending between the cylindrical main body portion and the mounting flange portion, the transition portion having at least one vent opening; and   an air scoop secured to the brake drum at the vent opening, wherein the air scoop includes a substantially planar main body portion, the planar main body portion having an opening, a louver portion surrounding the planar main body portion opening and forming a louver opening, the louver having a first side wall, a second side wall, and a back wall, the back wall extends between the first and second wall to form the louver opening, the first and second wall and the back wall extend toward the side of the air scoop opposite from the louver opening, whereby rotation of the brake drum and air scoop induces air movement into the brake drum cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the brake drum includes a plurality of vent openings, and an air scoop secured at each vent opening. 
     
     
         3 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the brake drum is a full cast iron brake drum. 
     
     
         4 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the brake drum is a steel shell brake drum. 
     
     
         5 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the brake drum is a two-piece steel shell brake drum. 
     
     
         6 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the brake drum is a composite brake drum. 
     
     
         7 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the air scoop is welded to the brake drum. 
     
     
         12 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar main body portion substantially conforms to an outer surface of the cylindrical main body portion, the opening of the planar main body portion corresponds generally to the dimensions of the vent opening, a upwardly curved portion extends from the planar main body portion, the upwardly curved portion substantially conforms to the brake drum transition portion. 
     
     
         13 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the air scoop is snap fitted into the vent opening of the transition portion. 
     
     
         14 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein each air scoop is a discrete item which is individually secured to the brake drum. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein a first flange extends from one side of the planar main body portion, and second flange extends from another side of the planar main body portion, both of the first and second flanges include an inwardly radially extending main flange portion and a lip portion extending from the main flange portion. 
     
     
         22 . The brake drum of  claim 1 , wherein the first side wall is on the inboard side of the air scoop and extends radially outwardly at a substantially right angle to the planar main body portion to a first height as measured from the longitudinal axis of the brake drum, the second side wall is on the outboard side of the air scoop and extends radially outwardly toward the first side wall to a second height as measured from the longitudinal axis of the brake drum, the second height being less than the first height, the first and second wall and the back wall blend into the planar main body portion.