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Rolling Stock Brake Systems
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Rolling Stock Brake Systems
Rolling Stock Brake Systems
Study
1
Question
What are the objectives of the rolling stock brake system session?
Answer
At the end of this session, the students are expected to: 1. Discuss the importance of rolling stock brakes. 2. Explain the functions and working principles of the different types of brakes. 3. Differentiate the different brakes according to operational requirements. 4. Compute for the braking effort.
2
Question
What is the primary function of the rolling stock brake system?
Answer
The brake system enables the rolling stock to decelerate to a desired speed within a certain time or distance, control acceleration downhill, or to keep them immobile when parked.
3
Question
What was a major train incident related to rolling stock brake systems?
Answer
The DOTr - MRT3 runaway train incident on 13 August 2014.
4
Question
What problems existed with early brake systems in trains?
Answer
In the early days of rail travel, brake systems were simple or even non-existent, and it was the job of brake men to walk the length of the train and apply brakes in each car through the hand brakes.
5
Question
What is the standard train brake used by railways worldwide?
Answer
The air brake is the standard, fail-safe, train brake used by railways all over the world.
6
Question
What is the limitation of air brakes on long trains?
Answer
Air brakes perform poorly on long trains because it takes time for the compressed air to travel to the car furthest from the locomotive, resulting in uneven brake application and release.
7
Question
Describe the automatic air brake system. How does it work?
Answer
In an automatic air brake system, air is supplied from the main reservoir and stored in a reservoir on each individual car auxiliary reservoir, connected by a brake pipe.
8
Question
What is a service brake?
Answer
Service brake is the brake used to regularly decelerate or stop the train. The braking force effort can be adjusted as desired by the operator using the master control handle.
9
Question
What is the function of the emergency brake?
Answer
The emergency brake is used for sudden stops, involving the instantaneous application of the maximum or highest braking force effort available to stop the train in the shortest time and distance possible.
10
Question
What is the purpose of a parking brake?
Answer
The parking brake is used to hold or prevent movement of a rolling stock or a train when it is stopped, stabled, or parked. It must be strong enough to keep the train immobile even when loaded and on a slope.
11
Question
What is the role of a safety brake in rolling stock?
Answer
The safety brake acts as a fail-safe mechanism to ensure that the train can be brought to a stop even when other braking systems fail. It serves as the last resort for stopping the train using a simple switch.
12
Question
What happens when the main reservoir air pressure drops below normal?
Answer
Emergency Brake is applied when the main reservoir air pressure level drops below normal.
13
Question
What is electrical dynamic braking?
Answer
Electrical dynamic braking or electrodynamic braking is when the traction motors of the rolling stock are converted into braking generators.
14
Question
What is the difference between rheostatic and regenerative braking in electric braking systems?
Answer
In rheostatic braking, the generated electricity is fed into an on-board resistor (brake resistor) and dissipated as heat. In regenerative braking, the generated electricity is fed back into the power supply distribution system.
15
Question
What is the function of the air compressor in a pneumatic brake system?
Answer
The air compressor generates compressed or pressurized air which is the source of energy for the pneumatic braking system.
16
Question
What does the main air reservoir do in a pneumatic braking system?
Answer
The main reservoir (MR) is an air storage tank that is used to hold compressed air.
17
Question
What is the function of the brake cylinder in a pneumatic braking system?
Answer
The brake cylinder operates the tread or disc brakes, admitting air to press the brake pads on the disc or the brake shoe on the wheel tread.
18
Question
What must happen for the brakes to function correctly on all train cars?
Answer
Brakes must function on every car at the same moment and apply the exact required force, necessitating intelligent functions in brake control systems.
19
Question
What does 'brake blending' mean in railways?
Answer
Brake blending refers to the coordinated use of different types of braking systems to achieve optimal braking performance.
20
Question
What is a potential consequence of activating a dead man's device or vigilance system in a train?
Answer
The consequence is the activation of maximum service brake or emergency brake due to a signal passed at danger (SPAD).