Citation

Heenan K, Waterhouse D, Rodford IG. J. Occup. Accid. 1984; 5(4): 243-255.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Some investigations have been made recently to determine the performance limits of both weight-dependent and weight-independent, track-reactive, emergency brakes which are used on rope-hauled, rail-mounted, vehicles operating on steep gradients.The retardations produced by weight-dependent brakes may be predicted by a simple theory in which the most important parameter is the coefficient of dynamic friction which can be maintained reliably between the brake pads and the rails in a mining environment. In the case of weight-independent track brakes the braking performance also depends on the stiffness of the springs which apply the brakes and on the method of attaching the brake assemblies to the vehicle.

Very little data have been available on the frictional properties of the various materials, either used or proposed for use as pads for track brakes, which were relevant to conditions in U.K. coal mines. A series of instrumented trials have been made on steeply inclined surface test tracks, using vehicles fitted with weight-dependent or weight-independent brakes, to measure the brake efforts and coefficients of dynamic friction which are likely to be achieved in practice. The paper summarises the test procedure and the results obtained so far and presents the conclusions which have emerged from the investigations.