APT has to stop from 155 mile/h within existing signalling distances and allowance has been made for the failure of 12½% of all brakes. Conventional brakes cannot accommodate the energy of stopping from such high speeds and a new 'Hydro-kinectic' brake has been developed. This brake blends with an on tread friction brake to give entirely adequate braking throughout the full speed range.
H-K brakes operate on the principle of pumping water from reservoirs on the vehicle into a rotor and stator chamber mounted within conical shaped axles to create a torque restraining relative movement between the two assemblies, halting fast trains within existing signalling distances.
For more information see Technical Training Notes APT6.1, APT6.2 and APT Course Notes CN3.
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