10-11-2012, 02:05 PM
Vacuum brake
Vacuum brake.ppt (Size: 939.5 KB / Downloads: 283)
Overview of Vacuum brake
It was an alternative to the air brake, known as the vacuum brake. Like the air brake, the vacuum brake system is controlled through a brake pipe connecting a brake valve in the driver's cab with braking equipment on every vehicle.
Parts of the Vacuum Brake System
Driver's Brake Valve- The means by which the driver controls the brake.
Exhauster- A two-speed rotary machine fitted to a train to evacuate the atmospheric pressure
Brake Pipe- The vacuum-carrying pipe running the length of the train
Dummy Coupling- At the ends of each vehicle
Coupled Hoses- The brake pipe is carried between adjacent vehicles through flexible hoses
Present-day use of vacuum brakes
Today's largest operators of trains equipped with vacuum brakes are the Railways of India and Spoornet (South Africa), however there are also trains with air brakes and dual brakes in use.