Products that create a safer working environment are in high demand from the mining industry, and now a new ‘safe brake’ product designed by Custom Fluidpower has won a Safety Innovation Award at the 2015 Queensland Mining Industry Health & Safety Conference, held in August outside of Brisbane, Australia.
Custom Fluidpower embraced the challenge to fix a cable problem on a coal mine shuttle car. With safety in mind, it engineered the shuttle car cable reeler with a brake apply interlock valve for a Mackay-based coal mine.
“We are delighted that one of our engineered system designs has achieved such a rewarding result, for both our client and at the 2015 product innovation awards,” said Matt Doolan, Custom Fluidpower Mackay Branch Manager.
The custom-designed device comprised a full upgrade to the hydraulic control circuit. Custom Fluidpower designed, manufactured and installed a new hydraulic manifold to the park brake control circuits on all mine site shuttle cars.
The impressive ‘safe brake’ safety features that were incorporated into the product design include:
The park brake becomes activated when the cable reeler motor pressure drops below 800psi the brake can only be released by a manual override or if pressure rises above 800psi.
A bypass valve has been installed into the circuit, allowing the park brake to be released when being towed.
In the event that the bypass valve has been left in the towing position during normal tramming operation, the brakes will not release.
October 15, 2015
