VKSD Braking System with SOBO® iQ for Mine Escape Hoist

A major mine hoist OEM needed a custom braking solution for an emergency escape hoist positioned in a mine ventilation shaft. In an emergency, when the mine’s large primary hoist is not accessible, the escape hoist can be utilized to transport workers to the surface quickly.

To meet the hoist’s emergency stopping and parking application requirements, Twiflex provided Series VKSD spring-applied, hydraulically released, dual-spring caliper brakes acting on a pair of discs shaft-mounted to the hoist’s cable reel.

The Twiflex model VKSD58 disc brakes supplied feature a braking force of 58 kN. The brakes were modified to meet the customer’s mounting requirements and proximity switches were mounted to the end covers.

A SOBO iQ hydraulic power unit and a SOBO iQ control were supplied by Svendborg Brakes. The industry-leading SOBO iQ braking controller combines cutting-edge technologies to provide significant flexibility, safety and durability on applications including mine hoists. The controller features three-state digital modulation and a revolutionary dual-loop PI control (pressure/speed). The pressure control is based not only on speed but also on deceleration. Manufactured in-house, Svendborg Brakes’ specialized hydraulic power units are engineered to perform in tough mining applications.