PNEUMATIC BRAKE
Presented by: Aadil Shajahan
INTRODUCTION
A brake is a mechanical device which inhibits
motion, slowing or stopping a moving object or
preventing its motion.
It retards the motion a machine by means of
frictional resistance applied to a moving
mechanical member
Pneumatic Brake
Pneumatic Brakes
The brakes which uses air as working fluid is
known as pneumatic brake.
In this type of friction brakes compressed air
passing on a piston used to apply the pressure to
the brake pad needed to stop the vehicle.
It is also known as compressed air brake.
It is mainly used heavy vehicles such as trucks,
buses, train etc.
Components
Components
Air compressor : It pumps air from atmosphere to the air
storage tank And it is driven by engine through belt
drive.
Air Compressor Governer : It controls the compression
pressure of the air that is pumped to air storage tank
through compressor.
Air Dryer : It removes moisture content from the air
coming from atmosphere to prevent brake failure.
Air Reservoir : It is used to store compressed air from the
compressor.
Brake Pedal : It is the mechanism operated by driver and
is used to actuate brake inorder to stop or decelerate
the vehicle.
Components
Dirt Collector : It removes dirt from the air before sending
air into the brake valve. It is placed inside the brake
pipeline adjacent to the brake valve.
Brake Cylinder : It consist of a cylinder and piston over
which the air pressure is applied inorder to push brake
pads which inturn enables braking.
Brake Valve :The actuation and release of brake requires
continuous release and building of pressure inside the
brake lines and brake cylinder according to the motion of
the brake pedal this is done by the triple valve used in air
brake system.
Brake Drum : It transfer the brake force due to frictional
contact between brake pad and drum lining to the wheel
in order to stop or decelerate the vehicle.
Working Of Pneumatic Brakes
Working Of Pneumatic Brakes
When the engine starts, the air compressor also starts as it is driven by
the engine and also starts compressing the atmospheric air.
The compressed air is sent to air reservoir at optimum pressure using
compressor governor. The air reservoir always have some amount of air
stored from the previous cycles.
When the brake pedal is applied, the outlet valve of brake valve closes
and inlet valve opens, therefore the air pass to the brake lines of the
system then to the brake chamber.
When the compressed air applies pressure on the piston inside the brake
chamber, the piston moves from its original position which convert
pneumatic energy into mechanical energy.
Due to the movement of piston, the mechanical actuator inside the
brake drum expands which in turn pushes the brake pads in
outward direction in order to make frictional contact with the
Working Of Pneumatic Brakes
With this frictional contact between brake pads and rotating
drum lines brakes are applied to the wheels in order to stop or
decelerate the vehicle.
Advantages
Safe.
Brake system can never run out of Working fluid.
Air does not lead to corrossion . Therefore life of this
system is more.
Air line couplings are easier to attach and detach: no
danger of letting air into the pneumatic circuit.
Limitations
Trained drivers are required.
Generally more cost.
Applications
Used in heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, trailers,
trains etc.
Conclusion
The components and working of a pneumatic brake is
familiarised. It is seen that pneumatic brake system is an
effective braking system since, its working fluid is infinite. It
is used in heavy vehicles because, it have simple design
when compared of hydraulic brake.
Reference
https://www.mech4study.com/2015/09/air-braking-
system-brakes-types.html
https://www.mechanicalbooster.com/2017/12/air-
brake-system.html
