Hydraulic Brakes

The Brake System:

The Construction And Operation Of Hydraulic Brake Systems

In hydraulic braking systems, the pressure applied at the brake pedal is transmitted to the brake mechanism by a liquid. Since a liquid cannot be compressed under ordinary pressures, force is transmitted solidly just as if rods were used. Force exerted at any point upon a confined liquid is distributed equally through the liquid in all directions so that all brakes are applied equally.

Image Right:Hydraulic Brake System

In a hydraulic brake system, the force is applied to a piston in a master cylinder. The brake pedal operates the piston by linkage. Each wheel brake is provided with a cylinder. Inside the cylinder are opposed pistons which are connected to the brake shoes. When the brake pedal is pushed down, linkage moves the piston within the master cylinder, forcing the brake liquid or fluid from the cylinder. From the master cylinder, the fluid travels through tubing and flexible hose into the four wheel cylinders.

The brake fluid enters the wheel cylinders between the opposed pistons.

The pressure of the brake fluid on the pistons causes them to move out. This forces the brake shoes outward against the brake drum. As pressure on the pedal is increased, more hydraulic pressure is built up in the wheel cylinders and more force is exerted against the ends of the brake shoes.

When the pressure on the pedal is released, retracting (return) springs on the brake shoes pull the shoes away from the drum. This forces the wheel cylinder pistons to their release positions and also forces the brake fluid back through the flexible hose and tubing to the master cylinder.

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Article Pages
1. The Brake System
2. Introduction
3. Principles Of Braking
4. Braking Requirements
5. Factors Controlling Retardation
6. External-Contracting And Internal-Expanding Brakes
7. Brake Types
8. Brake Drum Construction
9. Brake Shoes
10. Rotating And Non-Rotating Units
11. Self-Energizing Action
12. Disc Brake
13. Comparing Disc And Drum Brakes
14. Floating Caliper
15. Fixed Caliper
16. Hydraulic Brakes
17. Master Cylinder
18. Wheel Cylinder
19. Hydraulic Brake System Insepction
20. Before Road Test Inspection
21. Road Test Inspection
22. After Road Test Inspection
23. Air-Hydraulic Brake System
24. Air-Hydraulic Master Cylinder
25. Air-Hydraulic Cylinder
26. Air Compressor
27. Air Governor
28. Air-Hydraulic Brake System Components
29. Trailer Coupling Hoses And Connectors
30. Air-Over Hydraulic Cylinder
31. Operation Of Air-Hydraulic Brakes
32. Air-Hydraulic Brakes Of Large Trucks
33. Trailer Air-Over-Hydraulic Brake Systems
34. Air-Hydraulic Brake System Inspection
35. Before Road Test Inspection
36. Air-Hydraulic Brake System Road Inspection
37. Trouble Shooting Air-Hydraulic Brakes
38. Air-Brake System
39. Air-Brake Quick Release Valve
40. Air-Brake Relay Valve
41. Air-Brake Chamber
42. Air-Brake Slack Adjuster
43. Air-Brake Auxiliary Components
44. Semi-Trailer Air Brake Systems
45. Operation Of Straight Air-Brake System
46. Miscellaneous Air-Brake Components
47. Troubleshooting Straight Air Brake Systems

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