FACTOID # 111: On average, more than 70 persons die of varicose veins per year per country.
 
 Home   Encyclopedia   Statistics   Countries A-Z   Flags   Maps   Education   Forum   FAQ   About 
 
WHAT'S NEW
RECENT ARTICLES
More Recent Articles »
 

SEARCH ALL

FACTS & STATISTICS    Advanced view

Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 

 

(* = Graphable)

 

 


Encyclopedia > Dynamic braking

Dynamic braking is the use of the electric traction motors of a railroad vehicle as generators to slow the vehicle. Radiators in the form of large fan cooled resistor banks (“brake grids”) dissipate the generated electric current as heat. Traction motor typically refers to those motors that are used to power the driving wheels of a railroad locomotive, electrical multi-unit train (such as a subway or light rail vehicle train), or a tram. ... This is the top-level page of WikiProject trains Rail tracks Rail transport refers to the land transport of passengers and goods along railways or railroads. ...

Contents

Principle of operation

During braking, the traction motor connections are reversed to turn them into electrical generators. The motor fields are connected across the main traction generator (MG) and the motor armatures are connected across the brake grids. The rolling locomotive wheels turn the motor armatures, and if the motor fields are now excited by the MG, the motors will act as generators. For a given direction of travel, current flow through the motor armatures during braking will be opposite to that during motoring. Therefore, the motor exerts torque in a direction that is opposite from the rolling direction. Braking effort is proportional to the product of the magnetic strength of the field windings, times that of the armature windings. The stator is the fixed part of a rotating machine. ... In electrical engineering, an armature is usually the rotating part of an electric motor or dynamo. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Moment (physics). ...


Blended braking

Dynamic braking alone is insufficient to stop a locomotive, as its braking effect rapidly diminishes below about 10 - 12 mph (16 - 19 km/h) Therefore it is always used in conjunction with the regular Air Brake. Early designs had a separate dynamic brake handle, but nowadays the two braking systems are usually controlled by a single brake handle. This combined system is called blended braking. Piping diagram from 1920 of a Westinghouse E-T Air Brake system. ...


Although blended braking combines both dynamic and air braking, the resulting braking force is designed to be the same as what the air brakes on their own provide. This is achieved by maximizing the dynamic brake portion and automatically regulating the air brake portion as the main purpose of dynamic braking is to reduce the amount of air braking required. This conserves air and minimizes the risks of over-heated wheels. One locomotive manufacturer, EMD, estimates that dynamic braking provides between 50% to 70% of the braking force during blended braking. Blended braking is only used on Passenger locomotives, locomotives used for hauling freight have separate dynamic and air brake systems. Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. ...


Regenerative braking

Main article: Regenerative braking

In electrified systems the similar process of regenerative braking is employed whereby the current produced during braking is fed back into the power supply system for use by other traction units, instead of being wasted as heat. It is normal practice to incorporate both regenerative and dynamic braking in electrified systems. If the power supply system is not "receptive", i.e. incapable of absorbing the current, the system will default to Dynamic mode in order to provide the braking effect. Regenerative braking is any technology which allows a vehicle to recapture and store part of the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost to heat when braking. ... Overhead wire in Coventry, England Overhead wire and its suspension system in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA A railway electrification system is a way of supplying electric power to electric locomotives and multiple units. ... Regenerative braking is any technology which allows a vehicle to recapture and store part of the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost to heat when braking. ... Default is the name of a number of quite different concepts. ...


Self-load test

It is possible to use the dynamic brake grids as a form of dynamometer to perform a "self load" test of locomotive engine HP. With the locomotive stationary, the MG output is connected to the grids instead of the traction motors. The grids are normally large enough to absorb the full engine output power, which is calculated from MG voltage and current output. A dynamometer, or dyno for short, is a machine used to measure torque and rotational speed (rpm) from which power produced by an engine, motor or other rotating prime mover can be calculated. ... hp, see HP (disambiguation). ...


See also


  Results from FactBites:
 
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) - Technical Reports - DYNAMIC HOIST TESTS (0 words)
The motor brake applies a braking force directly to the motor shaft and is adjusted to set after the conveyance is stopped by the drum brake.
The dynamic braking resistor would dissipate the energy generated by the overhauling load, and the load would be lowered at a safe slow speed.
The hoist should slow down to a predesigned dynamic braking speed and continue at this speed until the holding brake is reactivated, thereby stopping the hoist.
RAILROAD.NET - Shop Notes - Locomotive Blended Braking (788 words)
Locomotive blended braking is the braking of a locomotive through simultaneous use of both the dynamic brake and the air brake.
As both the air brake effort and the dynamic braking force are taken by the DA module for braking calculation, the maximum braking capability of the locomotive will be obtained from maximum dynamic brake retarding force in combination or "blending" with a portion of the brake cylinder pressure as required.
As the dynamic brake retarding force is proportional to the locomotive speed, the brake cylinder pressure is increase through the action of the DA module and magnet valves to maintain maximum locomotive braking efficiency.
  More results at FactBites »


 

COMMENTARY     


Share your thoughts, questions and commentary here
Your name
Your comments
Please enter the 5-letter protection code

Want to know more?
Search encyclopedia, statistics and forums:

 


Lesson Plans | Student Area | Student FAQ | Reviews | Press Releases |  Feeds | Contact
The Wikipedia article included on this page is licensed under the GFDL.
Images may be subject to relevant owners' copyright.
All other elements are (c) copyright NationMaster.com 2003-5. All Rights Reserved.
Usage implies agreement with terms.