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Compact, powerful brakes boost
Wichita, the power transmission systems specialist, launches a modified version of its Metana brake at this September’s Windtech trade fair in Husum, Germany. Metana is a caliper-type brake thoroughly proven in other areas of industry, to which Wichita has introduced subtle design changes to meet the growing demand for brakes in wind turbine applications.
There are many reasons why Metana is the ideal choice of brake for wind turbines. It is compact, robust, has high heat capacity (a must for enclosed spaces), and is easy to install and service. Spring-applied, hydraulically-released or hydraulically-applied, spring-released versions are available, and single or twin actuators for the sintered friction pads are housed within one frame size. Above all, it scores on the flexibility of its design, as various features can be adapted to suit specific installation requirements, providing a custom-designed solution for wind turbine manufacturers.
An example is the recent supply of brakes to one of Europe’s leading wind energy specialists, for 200 kW turbines. These relatively small turbines have limited space within the nacelle cabin and a very compact brake design is called for. Wichita’s European design and manufacturing facility in Bedford, England, rapidly addressed the task of modifying the Metana brake mountings to make the footprint even more streamlined, without compromising performance. The result was a resounding success and the turbine manufacturer is about to take delivery of a second, larger batch of the modified Metana brake.
After 40 years of independent manufacture, becoming part of Colfax Corporation’s heavy-duty clutch and brake (HDCB) group in March 2000 has further enhanced Wichita’s braking pedigree. The HDCB group also includes Waukesha-based Industrial Clutch Products, which has supplied a large number of its LKBH-417 four-plate, 17-inch spring-applied, hydraulically-released brakes to Zond Energy Systems. The brake is used on the high-speed shaft of Zond Z-750 kW series wind turbines, which supply clean electricity throughout Europe and the United States.
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