Within the early days of the auto, there weren’t actually prescribed methods of doing issues the best way there are actually. Auto producers often experimented with a wide range of new applied sciences to realize a aggressive benefit, both for the highway going buyer, or the race observe. In 1949 Chrysler debuted a singular methodology of slowing down its massive stately machines, a brand new type of disc brakes. Now de rigueur, disc brakes have been comparatively new tech in 1949, having debuted on plane throughout World Conflict 2. Crosley, considerably poorly, tailored airplane brakes for the tiny HotShot sports activities automobile, however they weren’t prepared for the trials of automotive use and the plan was scrapped nearly as rapidly because it started. Chrysler, in the meantime, took a distinct tack with its braking system, creating a brand new model of brake pads that look extra akin to a clutch disc, expanded between two spinning iron friction surfaces. That is fully totally different and distinct from Porsche’s distinctive annular disc brakes, as effectively.
The system Chrysler employed was developed by Automotive Specialties Manufacturing Firm (AUSCO) underneath patents filed by engineer Homer L. Lambert, and first examined by the corporate way back to 1939. Thought of a self-energizing system, in that it employed a few of the braking power to extend braking effort, this Ausco-Lambert setup made for higher braking within the massive Chryslers with minimal effort expended by the driving force. This technique additionally allowed for a discount in brake fade, cooler working temperatures, and employed a a lot bigger friction floor when in comparison with Chrysler’s then-standard twelve-inch drum brakes. In the end, whereas the brakes offered considerably higher braking energy and might be counted on for repeat use, they have been considerably costlier than drums or caliper-and-disc model brakes, whereas being grabby and overly delicate.
So how do they work?
The Ausco-Lambert system does not work something just like the disc brakes on your loved ones crossover. As an alternative of a pair of friction brake pads clamping on a spinning steel disc brake floor, Lambert employed what he known as a “double disc,” which sandwiched a brake pad plate between a steel friction floor casing that spun with the movement of the wheels. and an axle-mounted spinning steel floor. From the skin the system seems to be loads like a very finned drum brake, however it’s what’s inside that counts. When the driving force utilized the brakes a pair of wheel cylinders in every nook pushed a cut up friction disc aside to make contact with the insides of the spinning housing. Every friction disc employed six metal ball bearings inside, using in a ramp that helped push the jammed disc aside. Robust steel springs helped return the friction floor collectively when the driving force let off the brake pedal.
The so-called double disc braking system was solely out there from Chrysler as customary on the prolonged Crown Imperial limousine via 1954, and on the one-year-only 700-unit restricted manufacturing 1950 City and Nation Newport. The system was made elective on different Chrysler machines, however at an exorbitant $400 price ticket, or round $5,400 in 2026 {dollars} when adjusted for inflation. It is protected to say only a few clients took them up on the supply.
It might nonetheless be a number of years earlier than Jaguar and Dunlop lastly perfected the disc brake to be used in vehicles, famously utilizing a prototype system to win the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans with Tony Ralt and Duncan Hamilton sharing driving duties of the #18 C-type. The remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.
