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Counter-pressure Brakes
The counter-pressure brake (German: ''Gegendruckbremse''), also named the Riggenbach counter-pressure brake after its inventor, Niklaus Riggenbach, is a dynamic brake, dynamic railway brake on steam locomotives that brakes the locomotive using the driving cylinder (locomotive), cylinders. In doing so it reduces wear and tear and overheating of the driving wheel tyres and brake blocks and enables a continuously high brake force to be applied. The brake works by using the cylinders as air compressors and converting kinetic energy into heat. Steam is emitted during braking but this does not come from the boiler, it is produced by evaporation of water used to cool the cylinders. The main part of the system is piping and regulation of atmospheric air drawn into the cylinders, into which cooling water and oil is injected. Operation To use the cylinders as pumps necessitates complete reversal of the normal gas flow. Atmospheric air is drawn through the steam exhaust and compressed air ejec ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Niklaus Riggenbach
Niklaus Riggenbach (21 May 1817 – 25 July 1899) was the inventor of the Riggenbach rack system and the counter-pressure brake. He was also an engineer and locomotive builder. Niklaus Riggenbach, from Rünenberg, Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, was born in Guebwiller, Alsace. After the death of his father, his mother returned to Basel with her eight young children. At age 16 Riggenbach began an apprenticeship as a mechanic, going abroad after completing his training. In 1837 he found his way to Paris, where he accepted employment. By taking technical courses in night school, he acquired considerable knowledge in mathematics and physics. With the opening of the Paris-St. Germain railroad line in 1839 he found his vocation to build locomotives. In June 1840 he moved to Karlsruhe, Germany, and found employment in the machine works of Emil Kessler. Here he soon rose to managing director and was involved in the construction of no less than 150 locomotives. One of the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |