Barnett Engineering - Cryogenic Brakes to Reduce Wear

Barnett Engineering processes materials such as metal parts, plastics, ceramics and composites to enhance performance, and therefore reduce costs, of consumables in light rail brake systems, motors, and materials. Cryogenic processing of consumable brake pads and rotors before installation can increase the wear durability by over 400%.

Cryogenic processing of automotive brake pads and rotors is proven technology in the United States. The US postal service, police and ambulance services, emergency departments, racing teams and aircraft companies all use cryogenically treated products in order to stay competitive.

Cryogenic processing increases the durability of brake pads and rotors, and associated replacement costs are therefore decreased. This offers the potential for a very large decrease in operating costs over a short period.

CRYOGENIC LIGHT RAIL BRAKING SYSTEM BENEFITS

Light rail braking systems benefit most from cryogenic processing, because the replacement costs and down time for maintenance can make the difference between keeping to schedule and falling behind it.

Unscheduled maintenance accounts for large revenue losses due to cancelled and late trains. These are critical cost issues for both passenger and freight services. Routine maintenance times for replacement of brake parts can be planned much more easily after cryogenic treatment, since the treated pads and rotors wear slowly and evenly.

A LONGER LIFESPAN FOR BOTH BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS

The uniformity in the pad and rotor when heated through braking stays very consistent. The risk of hot spots and uneven heating of the surfaces is drastically reduced. This means that the whole friction surface is working more efficiently. Heat distribution is uniform, and therefore ensures a longer lifespan for both brake pads and rotors.

Cryogenic processing is provided by gas diffusion. The brake parts are processed in a CP-500vi cryoprocessor. The CP-500vi is capable of automatically cycling payloads between the temperature limits of -300°F (-184.44°C) and +300°F (148.8°C). Payload temperature is reduced by use of an internal heat exchanger to eliminate thermal shock.

A microprocessor-based industrial grade controller is provided for programming, storage, and execution of complex time/temperature profiles. The system is capable of running unattended for several days at a time. A chart recorder provides a permanent record of the thermal history of each run.

The parts never encounter damaging cryogenic liquids: only the environmental temperature is reduced to -300°F. They are kept at low temperature for a soak period. This is when the molecular changes that give such tremendous performance-enhancing results take place.

CRYOGENIC BRAKES LAST LONGER, WORK BETTER AND SAVE MONEY

Use cryogenic brake pads and rotors to beat the competition. Cryogenic treatments to brake pads and rotors enable them to last longer, work better and therefore save your company money.

COIL SPRINGS RESPOND WELL TO CRYOGENIC PROCESSING

Cryogenic processing of high-stress metal parts makes them less likely to fail. The cryogenic treatment relieves stresses caused by manufacturing, and thus leads to longer service life.

Coil springs respond well to cryogenic processing. Treated springs retain their properties for 200% longer than non-treated springs. Diesel engine parts such as rods, pistons, valves, injector heads, pulley systems, gears, pins, blades, wheels and other high stress engine components last up to 400% longer.

UP TO 7% MORE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

Cryogenic treatment of high-powered industrial motors gives an increase in horsepower, and increases service life. Cryogenic processing of copper allows up to 7% more electrical conductivity.

This 7% increase means a reduction in heat, and therefore an increase in overall performance. Electrical components in aerospace vehicles have been cryogenically treated for some time.

Electrical performance is enhanced with the use of cryogenic treatments. It is only necessary to apply cryogenic treatment to a part once. Its effects are permanent and last the entire life of the treated part.