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Brake System in a Car – Hydraulic System

An example of a hydraulic system that we deal with every day is the brake system in our cars.  That system is an example of the material we have just discussed.  Look at the picture given below.  When the brake pedal is pressed down, the piston in the 1st cylinder goes down, pushing the oil through the tubing into the little wheel actuating cylinder near the brake shoes. The oil, in turn, pushes the little pistons out and this, in turn, pushes the shoes up against the brake drum causing the car wheel to be slowed to a stop.

<img src="images/hydro012.gif" align="bottom" width="300" height="225">

      If you don't see the animation, click here to download Macromedia Shockwave Player.

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Updated: March 12, 2004