THE BRAKE SYSTEM
Brake is a device that slows or stops a moving object. Most brakes have a part called a brake pad or brake shoe that presses against a turning wheel--or a unit connected to the wheel--to produce friction. This friction converts the wheel's energy of motion to heat, slowing or stopping the wheel. Vehicles and industrial machines use a wide variety of brakes.
Vehicles are equipped with three major kinds of brakes:
(1) mechanical brakes,
(2) hydraulic brakes, and
(3) air brakes.
