Vacuum brake

{
  "id": "MLC-T-IND-006403",
  "term": "Vacuum brake",
  "field": "Industrial and trades",
  "definition": "A railway braking system in which a continuous pipe along the train is kept under partial vacuum, held by an ejector or exhauster on the locomotive, so the brake cylinders stay released while the vacuum is maintained. Admitting air into the pipe creates a pressure difference across each cylinder's piston or diaphragm, which pushes the brake blocks onto the wheels. It was widely used in Britain and its former colonies before air brakes largely replaced it.",
  "subject": "Industrial supplies, equipment, and components",
  "translations": {
    "de": "Vakuumbremse",
    "es": "freno de vacío",
    "fr": "frein à vide"
  },
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/industrial/vacuum-brake/"
}