Permanent magnet eddy brake with flux-steering poles
First Claim
1. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:
- magnet means for providing a magnetic flux, said magnet means consisting of a single array of permanent magnets and a plurality of flux steering magnets disposed in gaps between said spaced apart permanent magnets, said flux steering magnets being oriented in order to provide a steering flux polarity that is rotated about 90°
with respect to a polarity of the magnetic flux of spaced apart permanent magnets;
electrically conductive means for exclusively engaging the magnet flux provided by the single array of permanent magnets;
means, mounting the magnet means and conductive means, for the enabling relative motion between the magnet means and conductive means to produce eddy currents in the conductive means resulting in a braking force between the magnet means and the conductive means; and
ferromagnetic backing means, supporting the conductive means, for providing a holding force between the magnetic means and the conductive means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Eddy current braking apparatus includes an array of spaced apart permanent magnets and a plurality of flux steering magnets may be disposed in gaps between the spaced apart permanent magnets. The flux steering magnets are orientated in a manner to provide a steering flux polarity that is rotated about 90 with respect to a polarity magnet flux of the spaced apart permanent magnets in order to increase the flux density in the air gap which results in better performance of the brake. Alternatively, cubic magnets may be used with each magnet being arranged to provide a change in flux polarity between adjoining magnets. An electrically conductive member is provided for engaging the magnetic flux provided by the array of permanent magnets and the magnets and conductive member are mounted for enabling relative motion between the magnet and the conductive member to produce eddy currents in the conductive member and resulting in a braking force between the magnets and the conductive member.
64 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:
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magnet means for providing a magnetic flux, said magnet means consisting of a single array of permanent magnets and a plurality of flux steering magnets disposed in gaps between said spaced apart permanent magnets, said flux steering magnets being oriented in order to provide a steering flux polarity that is rotated about 90°
with respect to a polarity of the magnetic flux of spaced apart permanent magnets;
electrically conductive means for exclusively engaging the magnet flux provided by the single array of permanent magnets;
means, mounting the magnet means and conductive means, for the enabling relative motion between the magnet means and conductive means to produce eddy currents in the conductive means resulting in a braking force between the magnet means and the conductive means; and
ferromagnetic backing means, supporting the conductive means, for providing a holding force between the magnetic means and the conductive means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:
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a car moveable along at least one rail;
magnet means, disposed on the car for providing a magnetic flux;
conductive means disposed in a curvilinear pattern exterior to the car, for engaging the magnetic flux and causing movement of the car along the rail to produce eddy currents in the conductive means resulting in a braking force between the magnet mean and the conductive means; and
ferromagnetic backing means, supporting the conductive means, for providing a holding force between the magnetic means and the conductive means. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:
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a car moveable along at least one rail;
magnet means, disposed in a curvilinear pattern exterior to the car, for providing a magnetic flux;
conductive means, disposed on the car, for engaging the magnetic flux and causing movement of the car along the rail to produce eddy currents in the conductive means resulting in a braking force between the magnet means and the conductive means; and
ferromagnetic backing means, supporting the conductive means, for providing a holding force between the magnetic means and the conductive means. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:
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magnet means for providing a magnetic flux, said magnet means consisting of an array of cubic permanent magnets, each permanent magnet being oriented with a flux polarity that is rotated about 90°
with respect to a flux polarity of an adjoining permanent magnet;
electrically conductive means for exclusively engaging the magnet flux provided by the array of permanent magnets;
means, mounting the magnet means and conductive means, for the enabling relative motion between the magnet means and conductive means to produce eddy currents in the conductive means resulting in a braking force between the magnet means and the conductive means; and
ferromagnetic backing means, supporting the conductive means, for providing a holding force between the magnetic means and the conductive means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:
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magnet means for providing a magnetic flux, said magnet means consisting of an array of cubic permanent magnets each permanent magnet being oriented with a flux polarity that is rotated about 45°
with respect to a flux polarity of an adjoining permanent magnet;
electrically conductive means for exclusively engaging the magnet flux provided by the array of permanent magnets;
means, mounting the magnet means and conductive means, for the enabling relative motion between the magnet means and conductive means to produce eddy currents in the conductive means resulting in a braking force between the magnet means and the conductive means; and
ferromagnetic backing means, supporting the conductive means, for providing a holding force between the magnetic means and the conductive means. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification