Description
Thruster Disc Brakes are successfully used in many industries for various applications and Kor-Pak Corporation is your 
primary source for Thruster Drum brakes sales, service, and support.
How it Works
Thruster Disc Brakes are spring-set and thruster released; the thruster is electro-hydraulic, 3-phase, including a motor and hydraulic fluid. When power is removed, the friction lining of the brake pad applies to the rotating disc which creates friction and ultimately stops the rotating disc from moving.
Benefits of Thruster Disc Brakes
Thruster disc brakes possess a scalable torque tube which means that torque can be ostensibly adjusted which is ideal; for instance, as the linings gradually bed into the wheel (burnish), greater mechanical braking torque will be achieved and consequently the torque may need to be reduced. Compared to magnetic disc brakes, the brake operator can set the exact torque amount which yields more precise braking and enhanced safety.
Thruster disc brakes also provide a clean, efficient, and economical package. Thrusters can accommodate high temperatures, especially with the addition of silicone fluid and high-temperature kits. Furthermore, a lowering valve/time delay can be added to the thruster to time the setting of the brake, and set/release limit switches can also be added. This is an ideal setup to be used in conjunction with variable frequency drives. External torque springs and self-adjust mechanisms for lining wear compensation are also ideal features of these brakes.
Disc vs. Drum
Spring-Set, Thruster Released Dual Caliper Disc Brake
The benefits of disc brakes is that its friction pads apply to a flat surface as opposed to a curved surface (drum brakes). Gripping onto a flat surface invariably yields greater contact and ultimately more mechanical braking torque. Also, to compensate for an uneven load of standard caliper disc brakes, a Dual-Caliper Disc Brake is also available which creates a balanced load and mitigates risks that are associated with an overhung load.
Ease of Maintenance
Thruster disc brakes consist of an electro-hydraulic actuator/thruster and the movement. Thrusters can be repaired for an affordable price and reconditioned to “like new” condition. Brake pad can be easily replaced or relined, and the movement will last long and may need to be reconditioned on occasion. Overall, thruster brakes are designed to be “hands-off” and maintenance friendly brakes, making them an ideal choice for numerous applications such as steel mills (i.e. hoist and bridge/trolley brakes in melt shops), moveable structures (bridge brakes), container crane brakes, and many more.
Kor-Pak Can Do It All
- Reconditon thruster brake assemblies and actuators
- Design and engineer new thruster brake systems for custom applications
- Provide field service/support to help troubleshoot
- Provide on-site training for maintenance personnel
- Upgrade/retrofit existing brakes with thruster-style brakes
- Provide accessories: spare parts, discs, enclosures, limit switches, pads, reline brake shoes, pins, self-adjust mechanisms, actuators and many more.
- Integrate entire systems: thruster brakes, variable frequency drives/controls, PLC, etc.
