Westinghouse brake

American  

noun

1. a railroad air brake operated by compressed air.

---

Westinghouse brake British  

/ ˈwɛstɪŋˌhaʊs /

noun

1. a braking system, invented by Westinghouse in 1872 and adopted by US railways, in which the brakes are held off by compressed air in the operating cylinder: controlled leakage of the air or a disruptive emergency causes the brakes to be applied. The system is used on most heavy vehicles and is replacing the vacuum system on many railways

---

Etymology

Origin of Westinghouse brake

Named after G. Westinghouse, its inventor

Example Sentences

A further improvement introduced in the Westinghouse brake in 1906 was designed to give quick action for service as well as emergency stops.

From Project Gutenberg

A modification of the device for obtaining accelerated action, described above in connexion with the Westinghouse brake, is also applicable.

From Project Gutenberg

The passenger train had the Westinghouse brake fitted to all the carriages, and such was its efficiency that, had it extended to the engine and tender as well, Major Marindin believes the accident would have been entirely prevented.”

From Project Gutenberg

Air-pump for cycle tyres, 340; for Westinghouse brake, 199.

From Project Gutenberg

Our railroad exhibit is not very full: we have a Philadelphia and Reading coal-burning locomotive, a Pullman car, the Westinghouse brake, Stephenson's street-cars, car-wheels from Baldwin's and Lobdell's: the latter also sends calender-rolls of remarkable quality.

From Project Gutenberg