Air Brake

Question: Write an essay on Air Brake? Answer: Introduction Air brake Air brake is a mechanical braking system in which compressed air pressing on a piston is used to apply the pressure to the brake pad which helps in stopping the vehicle. it was first discovered by George Westinghouse who use this brakes in the railways engine and when it was discovered a that time it was of not safer use. But after few years of his hard work, in the year March 5, 1872 he developed the safer air brake. He continuously goes on experiment several alternations to improve air pressured invention, which led to creations of different automatic brake. Components of air braking system The air brake mainly consists of various parts like parking brakes, pedalling control system, air storage tank and service brakes. Design of parking brake- parking brake is generally disc or drum brake arrangement which works with the help of spring pressure. Spring brake in parking brakes is used to release air pressure to perform the function of air pressure. Design of service brakes this type of breaking is generally used for slowing or stopping of the heavy load vehicles. The function of service in heavy vehicles is quite simple. in this system , the break pedal is pushed, as a result of which the is routed at pressure of approximate 700 kPa and transfer to the brake chamber as a result of which brake engaged and its function starts working. Parts of design system supply system controls system Supply system- the engine drive the air compressor with the help of crankshaft .the air compressor is lubricated and cooled by the engine lubrication. The air (compressed) is firstly allow to pass through the cooling coil and also in the air dryer so that moisture and impurities of oil. They also contain safety valve as well as pressure regulator and small reservoir. Control system- the control system is categories in two service circuits. the parking brake the trailing brake circuit Both of them is further categories in two wheel circuits front wheel circuits rear wheel circuits The function of parking brake circuit The spring force of the spring brake cylinder is responsible for operating of the parking brake. The function of trailer brake circuit- the main component of the trailer brake is based on the two line system: the supply line the man function of the supply line is to receive the air from the prime mover parking braking system The control line- the control line is worked with the help of trailer brake relay valve. Advantages of air brake system are Air brakes are generally used on the lighter vehicle like automotive industry, manufacturing industry etc. They are also used as hydraulic brakes because they are generally working the process that are movable ex- air brake, fluid braking. The braking system is never fail either if they are used on fluids to work like hydraulic brakes due to continuous or unlimited supply of air. little amount of leaks does not cause much more effect on the operation process as well as its function during the time of its scarcityand the fail of system is also minimized also. Hydraulic line cannot be easy to attach therefor Air line couplings are used which is quite helpful in attaching as well as DE attaching. Some other advantages are that they are quite safer than hydraulic line whenever there is danger of letting air in a pneumatic circuit .this factor is very much helpful in reducing the training of operator so reduce the cost also. Air brake is quite helpful in controlling the forces that are applied on the system because air not only help in transmission of fluid but also helps in storing the potential energy of the system .it has to be noted that air brake system contain air tank so that the vehicle get also stopped if the compressor not able to work properly. So this is quite helpful in removing the excess pressure also so that system can work properly. Air brakesystem is design in suchway that leakage is minimized so that they have good factor of safety. The application of air brake in different field (1) Air brake in road vehicle- this type of air brake is generally used in heavy as well as in Light vehicles. They use pressurized compressed gas which is providing braking action to the vehicles and also they take the help of friction of the road to stop the vehicle. This system also helps in providing better way of braking then the ordinary breaking system so that all the different type of accident can be minimized. (2) Air brake in railway system- it is basically a very strong power breaking system combining compressed air for operations. there are basically to breaking two types of air breaking system (a) The service brake system- such breaking system which comes into action when the operation had occurred under normal condition (b) The emergency breaking system-such a breaking system in which operation are performed suddenly so that powerful breaking system allows stopping of vehicle at a sudden instant and also protecting the life of the people by protecting them from sudden shock. (3) Air breaking in aeronautics- the working of air breaking system is little different then the other breaking system.in aeronautics air breaks are generally used increase angle of approach or increase drag during the time of landing. From the past history it has been proved that it was firstly developed in the year 1935. After that year all the time modification are made time to time to alter its function and can be used for all application related to aeroplane. Mainly in the jet powered aircraft lift spoilers are used which are quite different from the air braking system. Conclusion The different air braking system is discussed along with different types and its uses are also discuss. We have also discussed the uses of air breaking system in Aeronautics, railway and roadways. Advantages are also discussed. References Railway technical web pages n.d (viewed on 15th june 2015) (https://www.railway-technical.com/air-brakes.shtml) How stuff works n.d(viewed on 14th june2015)( https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/brakes/brake-types/air-brake.htm) Trailer parts superstore n.d (viewed on 14th june 2015)( https://www.easternmarine.com/tech-info/how-air-brakes-work)