vacuum brake
Definition
- Noun:
- A braking system using vacuum: A "vacuum brake" is a type of brake that operates by creating a vacuum (a space with very low air pressure) to apply or release braking force. It is commonly used on railway trains and heavy vehicles.
Usage Examples
- (The brake mechanism that uses vacuum pressure did not work.)
- (They checked the brake device that relies on a vacuum for operation.)
Advanced Usage
"Vacuum brake application": The act of engaging the brake by reducing air pressure in the system.
- The driver made a sudden vacuum brake application to avoid a collision. (He quickly used the vacuum brake to stop the train.)
"Vacuum brake release": The process of allowing air back into the system to disengage the brake.
- After the stop, the vacuum brake release was slow due to a leak. (The brake disengaged slowly because air entered the system improperly.)
Variants and Related Words
Vacuum-braked (adj): equipped with a vacuum brake system.
- The vacuum-braked freight cars are safer on steep gradients. (The cars have brakes that use vacuum pressure.)
Brake (n): a device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle.
- The car's brake pads need replacing. (The friction components of the braking system.)
Synonyms
- Vacuum-operated brake: a brake that functions by means of a vacuum.
- Vacuum braking system: the entire mechanism that includes the brake and its vacuum components.
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms directly involve "vacuum brake"; the term is technical and literal.)
Phrasal Verbs
Brake off: to bring to a stop by using a brake.
- The engineer had to brake off the train quickly. (He used the brake to stop the train.)
Brake down: to fail or stop functioning (of a brake system).
- The vacuum brake broke down during the journey. (The brake system malfunctioned.)