Brakes are required in every machine to function. The challenging aspect is that conventional disc brakes exert a high pressure that overwhelms the entire machine system. This is where the use of the water cooled brake can bring all the difference between doing the right job and a host of technical obstacles. Multiple brakes are used in heavy industrial machines, and each one of them has its benefits. The presence of water-cooled brakes plays a vital role in industrial heavy machine tools and equipment.

What are water-cooled brakes?

The brakes include a stationary and a central cooling plate, which consists of an internal chamber and is responsible for distributing coolant. Furthermore, the water-cooled brakes also feature multiple cast-iron sectors affixed on the opposite sides of the disc. There are insulation layers that segregate the iron sectors and the cooling plate. Water-cooled brakes are similar to wet brakes in the working principle that utilizes oil to keep the machine tools and equipment cool.

Working principle of water-cooled brakes

When a machine is functional in an industrial set-up, and the brake is pressed down, there is a generation of heat from friction. If the heat generation is not addressed, the heat that builds up from friction exerts a lot of pressure on the entire machine. This extreme pressure results in mechanical breakdown.

Water as a coolant

The presence of cast-iron sectors in water-cooled brakes renders the necessary thermal potential to hold back some of the generated heat via braking for a certain period. Since the method of conducting the brake system relies on water, it acts as a coolant liquid. The heat gets transferred to the water at a rate influenced by the thermal conduction of insulation layers.

When are water-cooled brakes important?

Dry brakes also play a crucial role in industrial machines and equipment. When one knows the working principle of brakes in industrial machines and tools, it is vital to question when to use the water cooled brake over a dray brake.

A better option than dry brakes

The presence of water-cooled brakes is most insightful when there is a need for adequate space to create enough flow of air required for dry brakes to function efficiently. Additionally, the water-cooled brakes are helpful in heavy machines that demand better heat conduction than the air can render. Such a scenario is prevalent in heavy industrial machinery, like tensioners, drillers, mooring systems, winches, yarders, etc.

Conclusion

Air is potentially not the ideal cooling medium, particularly for heavy machinery used in industries. This is because the density of air is low, and the transfer of heat is also slow, especially for industrial machines. Heavy machinery tools and equipment are known to generate excessive heat and force the dry brakes to function. The water cooled brake can overpower the limitation, thereby restricting mechanical failures. Moreover, water-cooled brakes help with better energy distribution due to enhance fluid dynamics. Because of the continuous absorption and dissipation of huge thermal loads, the machines don’t break down and offer uninterrupted services.