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2 - Brake Factor

Computes the brake (and hence brake torque) for disc and drum brakes as a function of brake geometry and lining or pad friction coefficient. Included are single rotor (standard) and multiple rotor disc brakes, leading/trailing and 2-leading shoe, duo-servo, S-cam, and wedge drum brakes, as well as external drum band brakes. An accurate brake factor determination is important for analyzing braking performance of motor vehicles for brakes in good or degraded mechanical condition.

3 - Brake Temperature

Computes the brake temperature for single or repeated stops, and continued braking. Brake temperatures attained during continued braking are important for the analysis of commercial vehicle accidents where brake fade and excessive pushrod travel due to temperature must be evaluated.

4 - Mechanical Brakes

Computes braking performance of parking or secondary braking systems. Is used to design the brake system of low speed vehicles using mechanical brakes such as golf carts and off-road four-wheelers.

5 - Hydralic Brakes

Computes optimum and and actual braking forces. Predicts wheel lockup sequence and vehicle deceleration for different loading and road friction levels. Predicts vehicle instability due to rear brake lockup. Analyzes different hardware options including proportioning valves. Computes braking efficiency. Computes vehicle deceleration for degraded braking systems. Computes pedal force requirements as well as pedal travel for normal and partial failure conditions. Las the groundwork for vehicle braking certification.

6 - Air Brakes

Computes the braking performance of air-brake-equipped vehicles using drum or disc brakes. Predicts axle loading during braking, and hence, wheel lockup sequence. Computes deceleration for degraded and/or out-of-adjustment brakes. Includes load transfer analysis of common tandem axle designs. Analyzes truck accidents involving brake failure. Allows for design effectiveness analysis of different valves such as proportioning or bobtail valves.

7 - Air-over-Hydralic Brakes

Computes the braking performance of trucks equipped with hydraulic foundaiton brakes on some or all axles where the energy source is pressurized air. For example, hydraulic disc brakes may be on the front axle while S-cam brakes are used on the rear axles. Utilizes portions of Module 5 and 6.

8 - Motorcycle Brakes

Computes the braking performance including brake lockup of hydraulic and/or mechanical brake systems of motorcycles and scooters.

9 - Electric Brakes

Computes the braking performance of vehicles and trailers using electrical current to actuate magnetic or electric motor application of the shoes or pads, or solenoid valves to modulate brake line pressure.

10 - Brake System Certification

Provides information and critical data necessary in connection with other PC-BRAKE modules to ensure theoretically realiable braking performance required to meet brake system certification. This module will be updated to ensure current status of existing and applicable safety standards world wide.

11 - Brake Testing

Provides information on test requirements and data collection, as well as equipment, to ensure reliable data input for braking performance calculation as well as testing requirements for brake certification. Compares theoretical braking performance established in other modules with test data.

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© 2003 PC-BRAKE, Inc.