hydraulic brake
Quick Summary
A hydraulic brake is a braking system that uses a fluid-operated mechanism, similar to a small hydraulic press, to apply braking force. This technology replaced earlier mechanical brakes, which were difficult to adjust for even braking at each wheel and required significant driver effort as vehicle speeds and weights increased.12
In a hydraulic system, brake fluid transmits pressure from the master cylinder, activated by the brake pedal, through steel tubing to individual wheel cylinders. This fluid pressure forces brake shoes or pads against a rotating drum or disc attached to the wheel, slowing or stopping the vehicle. Hydraulic actuation is preferred over mechanical linkages for multiple brakes, such as on automobiles, because it ensures equal braking force at all wheels.23
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