Eddy current brake

• US 6,659,237 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2001
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward M. Pribonic, P.E., Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magnetar Technologies Corporation
• Inventors: Pribonic, Edward M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack
• Assistant Examiner(s): KING, BRADLEY T
• Application Number:
  US09/880,353
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 188/159, 188/161, 188/164, 188/165, 188/180, 188/41, 188/84, 104/250
• US Class Current: 188/165
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2200/26 Rail vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 7/28 Eddy-current braking
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/09 Machines characterised by the presence of elements which are subject to variation, e.g. adjustable bearings, reconfigurable windings, variable pitch ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/64 Electric machine technologies in electromobility

Abstract

An eddy current brake includes a diamagnetic member, a first support wall and a second support wall with the first and second linear arrays of permanent magnets disposed on the walls facing one another. Apparatus is provided for moving at least one of the walls in order to control eddy current induced in the member in the passage of the member therepast to adjust the braking force between the magnets and the member. Apparatus is also provided for causing the velocity of the member to change the braking force between the magnets and the member.

Claims

1. An eddy current brake comprising:

a diamagnetic or non-magnetic member;

a first support wall;

a separate second support wall disposed in a spaced apart relationship with said first support wall for enabling the member to pass therebetween;

a first linear array of permanent magnets disposed on the first wall on a side of the first wall facing the second wall;

a second linear array of permanent magnets disposed on the second wall on a side of the second wall facing the first wall, the first and second arrays being parallel with one another; and

apparatus for adjusting eddy current induced in the member, and braking force, as a function of velocity of the member between the arrays, said apparatus including linkages for enabling movement of the member therepast to change the spaced apart relationship between the first and second walls.

2. Eddy current braking apparatus comprising:

a diamagnetic or non-magnetic member;

a linear array of permanent magnets including a channel and a plurality of magnets disposed therein, the magnets being arranged within said channel in two adjacent rows, each magnet in each row being arranged with a magnetic field at a 90°

angle to another adjacent magnets in each row along the channel, each magnet in each row also being arranged with a magnetic field at an angle to another adjacent magnet in the adjacent row; and

;

means, mounting the linear array with respect to the member, for enabling passage past one another at a distance sufficient to cause eddy currents to be induced in the member resulting in a braking force between the linear array and the member.

3. The brake according to claim 2 further comprising a second linear array of permanent magnets including a second channel and a plurality of magnets disposed therein, the magnets being arranged within said second channel in two adjacent rows, each magnet in each row being arranged with a magnetic field at a 90°

angle to adjacent magnets in each row along said second channel, each magnet in each row also being arranged with a magnetic field at a 90°

angle to another adjacent magnet in the adjacent row; and

means, mounting the second linear array with respect to the member, for enabling passage past one another at a distance sufficient to cause eddy currents to be induced in the member resulting in a braking force between the linear array and the member.

4. The brake according to claim 3 further comprising a first support wall for, supporting the linear array, and second wall for supporting the second linear array and apparatus for moving at least one of the first and second walls in order to control the eddy current induced in the member during passage of the member therepast to adjust braking force between the magnets and the member.

5. The brake according to claim 4 wherein the apparatus includes means for moving at least one of the first and second walls in a direction perpendicular to the member.

6. The brake according to claim 4 wherein the apparatus includes means for moving at least one of the first and second walls in a direction parallel to the member.

7. The brake according to claim 3 further comprising a first support wall for supporting the linear array, a second wall, disposed in a spaced apart relationship with said first support wall, for supporting the second linear array and apparatus for changing the spaced apart relationship between the first and second walls in order to adjust eddy current induced in the member, and braking force, as a function of velocity of the member between the arrays.

8. The brake according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus for adjusting eddy current includes a linkage mounting at least one of the first and second walls to a fixed foundation, for enabling movement of the member therepast to change a distance between at least one of the first and second walls and the member.

9. The brake according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus for adjusting eddy current includes linkages, mounting the first and second walls to a fixed foundation, for enabling movement of the member therepast to change the spaced apart relationship between the first and second walls.

10. An eddy current brake comprising:

a diamagnetic or non-magnetic member;

a first linear array of permanent magnets;

a second linear array of permanent magnets disposed in a spaced apart relationship with said first linear array for enabling the member to pass therebetween, the first and second arrays being parallel with one another; and

apparatus for adjusting eddy current induced in the member, and braking force, as a function of velocity of the member between the arrays, said apparatus including linkages for enabling movement of the member therepast to change the spaced apart relationship between the first and second arrays.