Hydraulic brake for cooling tower fans

Hydraulic systems & components

4th Quarter 2011 Hydraulic systems & components

Hansen Industrial Transmissions recently introduced an hydraulic brake system for its M4 ACC air cooled condenser industrial gearboxes. This allows the user to safely slow down the gear unit and condenser fan and keep them at standstill during maintenance activities in dry cooling towers. With this hydraulic brake system, Hansen gearboxes can now prevent maintenance personnel being injured due to ‘windmilling’ (an idle fan which starts rotating due to airflow, thus driving the gear unit).

The brake system is unique in that the braking force not only holds the fan and gear unit when at standstill, but can also decelerate it to a safe stop within a limited braking time. It consists of two hydraulic brake cylinders with brake shoes and a hand pump with hose. The brake cylinders are built onto the motor lantern and brake on the coupling between the motor and the gear unit. A single brake kit can serve a whole batch of fan drives.

If the user prefers a stationary solution, two hydraulic brake cylinders with brake shoes are assembled to each gear unit. This allows several gear units to be kept at standstill at the same time. The number of hand pumps can be chosen freely.

The system also allows demounting of the motor during maintenance activities because the brake shoes only work on the bottom half of the coupling. The mechanical locking mechanism on each brake cylinder gives additional safety. Limit switches can be installed on the hydraulic brake cylinders to detect their position. The signal can be used to prevent the drive from being started while the brake is engaged.

For more information contact Fritz Fourie, Hansen Transmissions, +27 (0)11 397 2495, [email protected], www.hansenindustrialgearboxes.co.za

Share this article:

Hydraulic connectors with residual pressure
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Hydraulic connections are vital in both outdoor and indoor industrial machinery. However, the hydraulics lines frequently require connecting and disconnecting for maintenance or changeover. The goal is to enable quick, easy swaps to enhance machine flexibility and productivity.

Read more...

Sun carries the load
Axiom Hydraulics Hydraulic systems & components
When valuable lives are hoisted in the air, reliable load holding technology is at its utmost importance. That’s why you can count on Sun’s excellent load holding cartridge valves.

Read more...

How to protect against water hammer
SA Gauge Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
Water hammer is a high-pressure surge or wave created by the kinetic energy of moving fluid when it is rapidly forced to stop or change direction, altering the liquid’s velocity. The progression of the water hammer shockwave needs to be detained and slowed before reaching the instrument sensor. SA Gauge manufactures several such devices in order to achieve this.

Read more...

Axiom ups its game
Axiom Hydraulics Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
In today’s competitive market, manufacturers of hydraulic components are constantly challenged to find better, faster and cheaper ways of producing parts. Axiom Hydraulics has met the challenge, and can now deliver a product with superior performance and significant cost savings for its customers.

Read more...

Condition monitoring for critical hydraulic equipment
Hydrasales Hydraulic systems & components
Systems maintenance personnel often classify equipment as critical, based solely on its value. Instead, critical equipment should be determined by its importance to the operation and the objectives of the organisation.

Read more...

Hydraulic bolt tensioning
Bearing Man Group T/A BMG Hydraulic systems & components
BMG’s Nord-Lock bolting solutions include Boltight hydraulic bolt tensioning tools, which can be used to tighten bolts simultaneously, ensuring even preload in industrial applications and extreme environments, ...

Read more...

How to get the best of both worlds with hydraulics and electric
Editor's Choice Hydraulic systems & components
While battery technologies continue to evolve and overcome challenges that have previously restricted more rapid electrification adoption rates, hybrid electric systems are well positioned as an ideal interim solution.

Read more...

Create and recover energy all in one check valve
Axiom Hydraulics Hydraulic systems & components
Energen is a new, high-efficiency check valve from Sun Hydraulics that allows free flow from inlet to outlet, and blocks flow in the opposite direction. Composed of an integrated generator that converts ...

Read more...

Categories

Hydraulic systems & components

Hydraulic brake for cooling tower fans

Further reading:

Publications by Technews