Académique Documents
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for Brakes
By David E. Keyser
Applications Coordinator
MICO, Incorporated
As seen in
Hydraulics and Pneumatics Magazine
November, 1992
D.E. Keyser
Selecting a brake for any application tions is the method of actuation. In an Beyond high cycling rates,
¾ whether mobile or industrial, industrial environment, easy access to stopping heavy rotating shafts or
hydraulic or pneumatic ¾ requires compressed air or hydraulic fluid pro- flywheels within a specific time
evaluating the same basic parame- vides a convenient source of power to period demands the highest per-
ters. Torque required to stop a load apply or release a brake using simple formance from a brake. Having to
and the heat generated in the process control valves. For mobile applica- stop a massive rotating shaft within
top the list of design concerns when- tions, the designer must supply a 0.1 sec certainly is not unusual.
ever selecting a brake. What differs means of actuation ¾ a non-boosted Again, heat dissipation is important
between mobile and industrial applica- or boosted circuit or a full-power in high-inertia systems because
tions is the emphasis placed on hydraulic brake system. brakes use friction to stop the load.
certain variables. Moreover, many in- Industrial applications Consequently, heat in the brake can
dustrial machines use brakes actuated Even though industrial applications build rapidly from stopping a load.
by mechanical or electromechanical may be viewed as more predictable This heat must be dissipated before
means, which are not included in this than mobile, they are by no means another braking cycle occurs to
discussion. less demanding. This is because high avoid overheating.
Regardless of the type of actuation cycling rates often challenge the limits Industrial selection
or whether the application is mobile or of brake performance. The least Selecting a brake for an industrial
industrial, a number of different brake demanding applications are those with application can be relatively simple
designs are available. These include relatively low cycling rates ¾ gener- if the driven load has no heavy ro-
drum and caliper disc (which are simi- ally 5 stops per minute or less. tating parts that must be stopped
lar to those used in automobiles) and Stopping torque and transmitted within a specific time period. For
wet disc. The drum and disc types use horsepower usually are the most these instances, brake torque corre-
a dry friction material that impinges on important considerations for these sponds to torque capacity of the
a steel surface. Wet disc types incor- applications. When brake cycles occur prime mover multiplied by a service
porate harder friction materials and a 5 to 6 times or more per minute, iner- factor. A common service factor is
fluid that helps keep operating tem- tia, heat sink capacity, energy per 2.75 for Type B polyphase NEMA
perature low by carrying heat away cycle, and response time also require standard motors. In most cases,
from rubbing surfacces. close scrutiny. these pneumatically actuated
Brakes for industrial applications brakes mount onto the motor.
often require frequent, short-duration
stopping cycles. Brakes for mobile
applications, on the other hand, must
be selected to handle worst-case
conditions that can far exceed those of
daily operation. To illustrate: a
60,000-lb vehicle with a 200-hp engine
may climb a 6% grade at 20 mph.
However, when descending that same
grade at 30 mph would require 5760
braking hp to stop in 3 sec.
The other difference between most
industrial and mobile brake applica-
Fig. 1. Pneumatic brake keeps web tension constant by decreasing drag on spool as web
unwinds. Regulated air pressure applied to cylinder acts as constant-compression spring that
NOVEMBER 1992 / HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS regulator to increase or decrease pressure to pneumatic brake.
However, when the driven load has A brake may be capable of deliver- HPT = 0.00017(WK2)∆N2R/33,000,
heavy rotating members that must be ing more than enough torque to stop a where:
stopped within a specific peroid, load within the time allocated, but if HPT = thermal horsepower
torque capacity should be calculated the brake cannot dissipate the heat R = rate of engagement, cycles/min.
using the following formula: generated from braking before the The calculated value of thermal
T = (WK2)∆N/308t, next cycle begins, performance, reli- horsepower is compared with the
where: ability, and, especially, life can suffer. thermal rating of the brake to ensure
T = 2torque required, lb-ft 2 Thermal horsepower is used to that the brake is appropriate for the
WK = total inertia of load, lb-ft measure a brake's ability to dissipate application.
∆N = change in speed, rpm heat. It is calculated using this for- In addition to standard pneumatic
t = time, sec. mula: and hydraulic brakes, many industrial