Traditional brakes had a few setbacks due to their retention of high temperatures. Today, water cooled brakes are applied in several industries. Using these brakes allows enterprises to increase productivity by reducing maintenance costs. Nowadays, the use of water on brakes minimizes the heat generated from friction, making them useful. These circular cooling brakes have lots of advantages compared to traditional brakes. Below are things you need to know about these brakes.
The System
This brake’s system has a stationary aluminum plate at its center. This plate has an inside chamber that allows the circulation of water for cooling purposes. The iron sectors placed on each side of the disc plate allow the shaft’s friction materials’ slow movement. The iron sectors and cooling plate discs are separated using thermal insulation layers. This design makes these brakes efficient when being used in several sectors.
When working, the iron sectors get enough thermal energy to retain the heat generated from the breaking for a short period. Then, this heat transfers to the water for a relatively long period. The thermal insulation layers determine the rate at which the water is shifted. This whole process mitigates the risks caused by overheating. Without overheating, the system can’t fail because no friction causes wear and tear.
These brakes are used in wheels and braking axles. They are also used in specific applications such as armored military vehicles or heavy machinery. When in use, they allow work efficiency and enable work to continue for a more extended period. The braking system is designed to work for longer and has a long life-span.
Advantages
These brakes have several advantages when compared to others, such as wet friction brakes. Wet friction brakes are mostly used in heavy vehicles and industrial machinery. When oil flows through the discs, it eliminates the heat that could cause overheating. The outer environment can’t contaminate this braking system because it’s inside a casing.
However, its disadvantage can be seen when applied at high speeds. A lot of power is lost when they aren’t braking. Friction occurs in the frictional material and key in the oil between the plates. This is corrected by adding oil when the break is at work. Another disadvantage in the wet friction brakes is that the oil is contaminated when the brake disc’s temperature exceeds the working temperature.
Brakes with water-cooled disc structures are the best to use. The heat generated is carried by the water through the radiators. The art discs have a metal wall outside where a frictional material corresponds whenever there’s braking. These brakes are in contact with water flowing in the inside surfaces, and cooling occurs. Whether working or stationary, these brakes don’t become contaminated.
Though these brakes have a disadvantage when using individual art discs, they remain the best braking system. The water coolant ensures that the braking system is cooled, and there’s no damage due to excessive heat. The presence of iron sectors and plate discs help in the slow movement and reduce friction. Their use and applications help several sectors, such as the military and heavy machinery.
