Comparative Analysis of Mine Shaft Hoisting Systems' Brake Temperature Using Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Area of Science:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Mining Engineering

Background:

• Mine hoists require reliable braking systems for safety during emergency stops.
• Understanding the thermo-mechanical behavior of brake systems under extreme conditions is crucial for design and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comparatively analyze the thermal and mechanical performance of drum-and-shoe versus disc-and-pad brake systems in mine hoists during emergency braking.
• To evaluate the feasibility of using computer simulations for assessing brake behavior when physical testing is impractical.

Main Methods:

• Developed Solidworks models for drum-and-shoe and disc-and-pad brake configurations.
• Utilized COMSOL Multiphysics for simulations, employing Heat Transfer and Structural Mechanics modules.
• Investigated frictional heat generation, temperature distribution, von Mises stress, and deformation under simulated emergency braking conditions.

Main Results:

• Simulations identified critical hot spots, with drum temperatures reaching 115-159 °C and disc temperatures reaching 97 °C.
• Von Mises stress values were 2x10^8 N/m^2 for drum-and-shoe and 4x10^8 N/m^2 for disc-and-pad brakes, both below material yield stress.
• Maximum deformations were 0.45 mm for the drum-and-shoe system and 0.25 mm for the disc-and-pad system.

Conclusions:

• Computer simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics provide a viable noninvasive method for evaluating the thermo-mechanical behavior of mine hoist brake systems.
• Both analyzed brake configurations demonstrated acceptable thermal and mechanical performance under simulated emergency braking, remaining within safe operational limits.