Hydraulic brakes are assemblies consisting of elements for the slowing or stopping of shafts in equipment drives. Hydraulic power is required to activate the brake. Brake types available are friction type or toothed.  The most important parameters to consider when searching for hydraulic brakes are the operating specifications.  These include torque rating, power, speed, and maximum pressure.  The maximum torque rating for the brake should equal or exceed application requirement.  The maximum power rating for the brake is given in HP.  Maximum rotary speed rating of the brake is specified in rotations per minute (rpm).  Maximum pressure for a hydraulic brake is specified in psi. 

Brake engagement choices for hydraulic brakes include friction, toothed, and non-contact.  In friction brakes, friction between contact surfaces transmits power.  This is the most common type of brake.  Toothed contact surfaces transmit power without slipping or heat generation. Teeth are engaged only when stopped or at slow speed (<20rpm).  In a non-contact configuration the braking action is provided by a non-contact technology such as a magnetic field, eddy currents, etc.  Common brake types include band, drum, disc, and cone.  Band brakes are the simplest brake configuration.  Band brakes have a metal band lined with heat and wear resistant friction material.  Drum brakes operate by shoes pressing against a spinning surface, called a drum.  Drum brakes are commonly used on automobile rear wheels. Disc brakes are constructed of brake pads, a caliper and a rotor.  During operation the brake pads are squeezed against the rotor.  Disc brakes have good heat dissipation properties.  Cone clutches are constructed of a cup and a cone, which is lined with a heat and wear resistant friction material.  During actuation, the cone is pressed against the mating cup surface.  Cone brakes are not widely used.  The brake operation can be spring or engage, spring return or disengage, and permanent magnet.  In a spring actuation brake during brake operation, the spring engages.  It takes power to disengage.  Also referred to as power-off, fail-safe, and safety brakes.  Spring return brakes take power to engage.  A spring is used to disengage the brake.  These brakes are also referred to as power-on and non fail-safe.  A permanent magnet is used for brake operation.  These brakes are of the power-off, or fail-safe design, since no electrical power is required for them to operate.

Hydraulic brakes are assemblies consisting of elements for the slowing or stopping of shafts in equipment drives. Hydraulic power is required to activate the brake. Brake types available are friction type or toothed.  The most important parameters to consider when searching for hydraulic brakes are the operating specifications.  These include torque rating, power, speed, and maximum pressure.  The maximum torque rating for the brake should equal or exceed application requirement.  The maximum power rating for the brake is given in HP.  Maximum rotary speed rating of the brake is specified in rotations per minute (rpm).  Maximum pressure for a hydraulic brake is specified in psi. 

Brake engagement choices for hydraulic brakes include friction, toothed, and non-contact.  In friction brakes, friction between contact surfaces transmits power.  This is the most common type of brake.  Toothed contact surfaces transmit power without slipping or heat generation. Teeth are engaged only when stopped or at slow speed (<20rpm).  In a non-contact configuration the braking action is provided by a non-contact technology such as a magnetic field, eddy currents, etc.  Common brake types include band, drum, disc, and cone.  Band brakes are the simplest brake configuration.  Band brakes have a metal band lined with heat and wear resistant friction material.  Drum brakes operate by shoes pressing against a spinning surface, called a drum.  Drum brakes are commonly used on automobile rear wheels. Disc brakes are constructed of brake pads, a caliper and a rotor.  During operation the brake pads are squeezed against the rotor.  Disc brakes have good heat dissipation properties.  Cone clutches are constructed of a cup and a cone, which is lined with a heat and wear resistant friction material.  During actuation, the cone is pressed against the mating cup surface.  Cone brakes are not widely used.  The brake operation can be spring or engage, spring return or disengage, and permanent magnet.  In a spring actuation brake during brake operation, the spring engages.  It takes power to disengage.  Also referred to as power-off, fail-safe, and safety brakes.  Spring return brakes take power to engage.  A spring is used to disengage the brake.  These brakes are also referred to as power-on and non fail-safe.  A permanent magnet is used for brake operation.  These brakes are of the power-off, or fail-safe design, since no electrical power is required for them to operate.

Common features of hydraulic brakes include zero backlash, washdown capable, and clutch or brake combination.  Zero backlash is a feature in which there is no play or backlash in the engagement of the load, no load disengagement during a direction reversal.  Washdown capable brakes are rated for wash-down cleaning.  Clutch-brake combinations include a clutch and a brake in the same package.  Shaft configurations for hydraulic brakes can be inline, parallel, and right angle.  Mounting choices include shaft and flange.  Important dimensions to consider include diameter, length, and width.