AIR BRAKES - GENERAL INFORMATION
Common causes of torque imbalance or lack of com-
bination unit performance include:
1.
Use of replacement parts, particularly linings,
other. than those originally specified.
2.
Tractor and/or trailer brake torque output(s) not
compatible with the loads being carried..
3.
Lining contamination, poorly maintained brakes,
and
broken
or
malfunctioning
brake
components.
4.
Brakes out of adjustment
The trailer and/or tractor manufacturer should be con-
sulted for any modifications to the respective trailer and/
or tractor system that would cause deviation from the
original specification
GLOSSARY OF BRAKE TERMINOLOGY
BRAKE ACTIVATION TIME: The length of time required for a given amount of air to start a mechanical movement in the
brake system foundation brake
COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION: The amount of friction produced by any two bodies in contact with each other; the amount
of force required to move one body while it remains in contact with another
DECELERATION: The actual rate at which a moving body is losing speed; expressed by number of miles per hour or feet
per second
DUAL BRAKE VALVE: An application valve (floor-mounted or suspended pedal type) having separate supply and delivery
circuits, providing the operator with a graduated control for applying and releasing a vehicle’s brakes
INVERSION VALVE: Supplies a limited "hold-off" pressure to the spring brakes through use of the service brake valve
KINETIC (MOTION) ENERGY TO HEAT ENERGY: Heat that is produced by friction during brake lining-rotor/drum contact
while the vehicle is in motion (decelerating)
MODULATED SPRING BRAKE CONTROL: Referring to the fact that spring brakes are applied with some degree of
control
REACTION TIME: The time required from the operator’s initial thought of stopping to the activation of the brake system
CTS-4154Y - Page 35
