Mechanical Energy Accumulators and Dissipators
Mechanical Energy Accumulators
This is a device that can store or accumulate a certain amount of mechanical energy and return it when needed.
Types:
- Flywheel: Mechanical energy accumulated in the form of kinetic energy of rotation.
- Elastic Elements: Accumulate energy in the form of elastic potential energy.
Flywheel Details:
Consists of a wheel or disc, made of cast iron or steel, set on the motor shaft that rotates jointly with it.
Elastic Elements Details:
- Springs: These elastic elements are deformed by an applied force and recover their original shape when the deforming force ceases. In the behavior of a spring, we consider two basic aspects: energy dissipation and resonance.
- Leaf Springs (Crossbows): These are formed by elastic elements of various steel sheets joined by brackets.
Mechanical Energy Dissipators
This is a device capable of transforming mechanical energy, but dissipates and loses it to the environment.
Brakes
- Disc Brakes: The fundamental elements that constitute a disc brake are the rotor (part that rotates jointly with the shaft), pads (elements made of friction material), and the caliper (responsible for guiding and operating the pads).
- Drum Brakes: They are distinguished by three parts: drum (cylindrical metallic surface), shoes (elements that act on the drum), and the actuation device (mechanism for approximating the shoes).
Actuated Brakes:
- Mechanical Actuation: Operates the internal brake shoes.
- Hydraulic Actuation: When pressing a brake pedal, the master cylinder piston pushes fluid through conduits. This fluid reaches the wheel cylinder and drives pistons. The action of the piston overcomes the resistance of the spring and forces the shoes against the friction drum, producing braking. When action on the pedal ceases, the spring separates the shoes, and the fluid recedes.
- Pneumatic Actuation: Uses compressed air for operation.
Friction Elements
These are machine components placed between a moving part and its support to withstand friction and wear, preventing damage to other, more critical mechanical elements.
Types:
- Bearings (Plain Bearings): Where the shaft or axle rotates against the support. They are installed inside the pressure support. Materials used include plastic, brass, and steel.
- Anti-Friction Bearings (Rolling Element Bearings): These are produced by certain elements interspersed between the bearing surfaces that rotate. Any rolling element bearing consists of rings, rolling elements, and the cage.
Subtypes of Rolling Element Bearings:
- Radial Rolling Bearings: Must support efforts that are primarily radial, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The rolling bodies are usually balls or needles.
- Axial Rolling Bearings: Support efforts that are primarily axial, i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation.
- Mixed Rolling Bearings: Can withstand both axial or radial efforts indistinctly due to the shape of their rolling bodies and the arrangement of the raceway.
Lubrication
Consists of introducing a layer or film of a liquid called lubricant between two moving surfaces or between any active moving machine bodies working against each other. There are three ways to achieve lubrication: contribution by external pressure and splashing (xipolleig).
Friction Elements
These are machine components placed between a moving part and its support to withstand friction and wear, preventing damage to other, more critical mechanical elements.
Types:
- Bearings (Plain Bearings): Where the shaft or axle rotates against the support. They are installed inside the pressure support. Materials used include plastic, brass, and steel.
- Anti-Friction Bearings (Rolling Element Bearings): These are produced by certain elements interspersed between the bearing surfaces that rotate. Any rolling element bearing consists of rings, rolling elements, and the cage.
Subtypes of Rolling Element Bearings:
- Radial Rolling Bearings: Must support efforts that are primarily radial, i.e., perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The rolling bodies are usually balls or needles.
- Axial Rolling Bearings: Support efforts that are primarily axial, i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation.
- Mixed Rolling Bearings: Can withstand both axial or radial efforts indistinctly due to the shape of their rolling bodies and the arrangement of the raceway.
Lubrication
Consists of introducing a layer or film of a liquid called lubricant between two moving surfaces or between any active moving machine bodies working against each other. There are three ways to achieve lubrication: contribution by external pressure and splashing (xipolleig).