Abstract: A brake system for a piece of equipment includes a series of rotors and stators, and a first brake actuator including at least one first piston positioned within a first chamber such that pressurization of the first chamber causes the at least one first piston to operatively engage at least one of rotors or stators such that the rotors and stators are compressed together and thereby create braking torque, and may also include a second brake actuator including at least one spring operatively coupled to at least one second piston positioned within a second chamber such that depressurization of the second chamber causes the at least one second piston to operatively engage at least one of the rotors or stators such that the pluralities of rotors and stators are compressed together and thereby create braking torque.

Abstract: A brake pad assembly is provided, including a friction lining providing a wear surface for contacting a brake rotor and a back plate coupled to the friction lining. The back plate is made of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix composite. In one example, a majority of the carbon fibers of the back plate are oriented in a x-y in-plane direction resulting in a structure where the thermal conductivity is at least 2 times greater in the x-y in-plane direction versus a z through-plane direction. In another example, the back plate is provided as at least one sheet of a carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix composite. A method of manufacturing the brake pad assembly is also provided.