Contents .

y Introduction y Theory Of Operation y Working Principle y Constructional Details y Classification of eddy current brakes y Advantages & Disadvantages y Applications y Conclusion

EDDY CURRENT:
y It is a swirling current set up in a conductor in

response to a changing magnetic field.

y By Lenz's law, the current swirls in such a way as to

create a magnetic field opposing the change

Eddy Current Brakes

y It slow an object by creating eddy currents through

emi which create resistance, and in turn either heat or electricity. y Braking action is made by varying the strength of the magnetic field.

A braking force is possible when electric current is passed through the electromagnets.

THEORY OF OPERATION

y Eddy current brakes develop torque by the direct

magnetic linking of the rotor to the stator.

y This linking generates eddy currents in the driven rotor. y Eddy current brakes must have a slip between the rotor

and the stator to generate torque.

y An eddy current brake having an electromagnetic pole

and the rotor is positioned in close proximity to the stator with an air gap between them

y The stator comprises steel pole pieces with hollow cores

that establish a magnetic circuit for a magnetic flux field.

y The pole pieces have machine-wound electrical windings. y The windings are fastened with pole caps. y The hollow core reduces the weight and material of the

stator without significantly adversely affecting the braking capacity.

y The pole caps reduce the magnetic saturation and

increases the overall brake torque output.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

y Electromagnets produce magnetic field from supplied

current
y Change of magnetic flux (with time) induces eddy

currents in conductor (disc)

y Eddy Currents produce another magnetic field

opposing first field

y Opposing magnetic fields create force that reduces

velocity

CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS

Components
y Electromagnets y Cast Iron Core y Conducting (Copper) Wire y Mounting bolts y Disc y Mild steel y Machined from plates

y It consists of two members, a stationary magnetic

field system and a solid rotary member, generally of mild steel, which is sometimes referred to as the secondary because the eddy currents are induced in it.

y Two members are separated by a short air gap, they're

being no contact between the two for the purpose of torque transmission.

y Consequently there is no wear as in friction brake.

y

Stator consists of pole core, pole shoe, and field winding.

y The field winding is wounded on the pole core. y Pole core and pole shoes are made of east steel

laminations and fixed to the state of frames by means of screw or bolts. y Copper and aluminum is used as winding materials.

CLASSIFICATION OF EDDY CURRENT BRAKES

Linear eddy current brakes

y It consists of a magnetic yoke with electrical coils which are being magnetized alternately. y This magnet does not touch the rail (held at approx 7 mm.) y When the magnet is moved along the rail, it generates a nonstationary magnetic field which generates electrical tension and causes eddy currents. y These disturb the magnetic field in such a way that the magnetic force is diverted to the opposite of the direction of the movement. y The braking energy of the vehicle is converted in eddy current losses which lead to a warming of the rail.

Eddy current brakes at the roller coaster

Circular eddy current brakes

y When electromagnets are used, control of the braking action is made possible by varying the strength of the magnetic field. y A braking force is possible when electric current is passed through the electromagnets. The movement of the metal through the magnetic field of the electromagnets creates eddy currents in the discs. y These eddy currents generate an opposing magnetic field, which then resists the rotation of the discs, providing braking force. y The net result is to convert the motion of the rotors into heat in the rotors.

Circular eddy current brakes

Advantages. . .
y

It uses electromagnetic force and not mechanical friction

y y y y y y

Non-mechanical (no moving parts, no friction) Fully resettable Can be activated at will via electrical signal Low maintenance Operates at any rotational speed Light weight

Disadvantages. . .
y Braking force diminishes as speed diminishes with no

ability to hold the load in position at standstill.

y That could be considered to be a safety issue, but it

really means that friction braking may need to be used as well.

y Eddy-current brakes can only be used where the

infrastructure has been modified to accept them.

APPLICATIONS
y It is used as a stopping mechanism in trains.

y It is also used in the smooth breaking and functioning

of roller coasters and such fast moving machines.

CONCLUSION
The ordinary brakes which are being used now days, stop the vehicle by means of mechanical blocking. This causes skidding and wear and tear of the vehicle. If the speed of the vehicle is very high, it cannot provide that much high braking force and it will cause problems. These drawbacks of ordinary brakes can be overcome by a simple and effective mechanism of braking system 'The eddy current brake'. It is an abrasion-free method for braking of vehicles including trains. It makes use of the opposing tendency of eddy current