Eddy Current Brakes: A Seminar Report On
Eddy Current Brakes: A Seminar Report On
Eddy Current Brakes: A Seminar Report On
Seminar Report on
BATCH 2016-2020
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude and deep regards to all Those who
helped me to complete this report on “Eddy Current Brakes”. With respect I would like to
thank my Prof. Dr. R.R. Joshi, Head of Department of Electrical Engineering for their
exemplary guidance, monitoring and constant Encouragement throughout the course of this
project. I also wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Vinod Kumar Yadav, Dr. Jai Kumar
Maherchandani , Dr. Naveen Jain and Dr. Vikramaditya Dave, Assistant Professor,
Department of Electrical Engineering, C.T.A.E, for his supervision And guidance. A special
thanks goes to Mrs. Lokpriya Kumawat for her cordial support, Valuable information and
Tanmay Arya
Department of E.E.
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ABSTRACT
This is an electric braking system which works on the principle that eddy current
produced in it opposes the driving torque. This opposing torque is used to brake the
For operating this control switch is provided on the steering column in a position
for easy manual. The skidding and complexity of mechanical braking system can be
minimized by this system. Also the wear and tear of the vehicles can be reduced.
Since researches are going on to eliminate some of the disadvantages of this system,
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CONTENTS
Acknowledgement 2
Abstract 3
1. CHAPTER-1 INTRODUCTION 5
2. CHAPTER-2
2.1 Principle Of Operation 8
2.2 Construction 9
2.3 Working 11
2.4 Eddy Current Brakes In Train 18
4. CHAPTER-4
4.1 Braking Power Calculation 27
4.2 Eddy current Brakes Requirements 27
4.3 Mounting And Installation 28
5. CHAPTER-5
5.1 Advantages 30
5.2 Disadvantages 31
5.3 Applications 31
CONCLUSION 32
REFERENCES 33
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CHAPTER-1
INTRODUCTION
Many of the ordinary brakes, which are being used nowadays, stop the vehicle by means of
mechanical blocking. This causes skidding, wear and tear of the vehicle. And if the speed of
the vehicle is very high, the brake cannot provide that much high braking force and it will
cause problems. These drawbacks of ordinary brakes can be overcome by a simple and
method for braking of vehicles including trains. It makes use of the opposing tendency of
eddy current
change in magnetic field. Because of the tendency of eddy currents to oppose, eddy currents
cause energy to be lost. More accurately, eddy currents transform more useful forms of
energy such as kinetic energy into heat, which is much less useful. In many applications, the
loss of useful energy is not particularly desirable. But there are some practical applications.
of induction. Eddy currents flow in closed loops within conductors, in planes perpendicular to
the magnetic field. They can be induced within nearby stationary conductors by a time-
relative motion between a magnet and a nearby conductor. The magnitude of the current in a
given loop is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field, the area of the loop, and the
rate of change of flux, and inversely proportional to the resistivity of the material. When
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graphed, these circular currents within a piece of metal look vaguely like eddies or whirlpools
in a liquid.
By Lenz's law, an eddy current creates a magnetic field that opposes the change in the
magnetic field that created it, and thus eddy currents react back on the source of the magnetic
field. For example, a nearby conductive surface will exert a drag force on a moving magnet
that opposes its motion, due to eddy currents induced in the surface by the moving magnetic
field. This effect is employed in eddy current brakes which are used to stop rotating power
tools quickly when they are turned off. The current flowing through the resistance of the
conductor also dissipates energy as heat in the material. Thus eddy currents are a cause of
as laminated magnetic cores or ferrite cores to minimize them. Eddy currents are also used to
heat objects in induction heating furnaces and equipment, and to detect cracks and flaws in
a device used to slow or stop a moving object by dissipating its kinetic energy as heat.
However, unlike friction brakes, in which the drag force that stops the moving object is
provided by friction between two surfaces pressed together, the drag force in an eddy current
induction.
law of induction. By Lenz's law, the circulating currents create their own magnetic field that
opposes the field of the magnet. Thus the moving conductor experiences a drag force from
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the magnet that opposes its motion, proportional to its velocity. The kinetic energy of the
In an eddy current brake the magnetic field may be created by a permanent magnet or
an electromagnet, so the braking force can be turned on and off or varied by varying
the electric current in the electromagnet windings. Another advantage is that since the brake
does not work by friction, there are no brake shoe surfaces to wear out, necessitating
replacement, as with friction brakes. A disadvantage is that since the braking force is
proportional to the relative velocity of the brake, the brake has no holding force when the
Eddy current brakes are used to slow high-speed trains and roller coasters, as a complement
for friction brakes in semi-trailer trucks to help prevent brake wear and overheating, to stop
powered tools quickly when power is turned off, and in electric meters used by electric
utilities.
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CHAPTER-2
According to this law, whenever a conductor cuts magnetic lines of forces, an emf is induced
in the conductor, the magnitude of which is proportional to the strength of magnetic field and
the speed of the conductor. If the conductor is a disc, there will be circulatory currents i.e.
eddy currents in the disc. According to Lenz’s law, the direction of the current is in such a
Essentially the eddy current brake consists of two parts, a stationary magnetic field
system and a solid rotating part, which include a metal disc. During braking, the metal disc is
exposed to a magnetic field from an electromagnet, generating eddy currents in the disc. The
magnetic interaction between the applied field and the eddy currents slow down the rotating
disc. Thus the wheels of the vehicle also slow down since the wheels are directly coupled to
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the disc of the eddy current brake, thus producing smooth stopping motion.
2.2 CONSTRUCTION
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. Two members are separated
by a short air gap; they’re being no contact between the two for the purpose of torque
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Stator consists of pole core, pole shoe, and field winding. The field winding is
wounded on the pole core. Pole core and pole shoes are made of east steel laminations and
fixed to the state of frames by means of screw or bolts. Copper and aluminum is used for
winding material the arrangement is shown in fig. 1. This system consists of two parts.
1. Stator
2. Rotor
Stator:-
poles energized by windings. Current is supplied to the winding from the battery.
Rotor:-
It is a rotating disc, which is fitted on the line of crankshaft with small air gap to stator.
When disc rotates a flux change occur in the section of the disc passing the poles of stator.
Due to the flux change there is a circulatory or eddy current in the disc around the magnetic
lines of force. The effect of this eddy current induces ‘N’ and ‘S’ poles at the surface of the
disc. Then there will be a ‘drag’ or braking effect in between eddy current induced poles and
magnetic poles in the stator. By changing current from the battery we can change the braking
force. In this breaking system kinetic energy of the vehicle is converted to heat and this heat
R = L/A
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The rotor is a rotating disc on shaft, which is placed very near to the stator with small
air gap (1 mm to 2 mm). Rotating disc may be one or both side of stator.
The two units have common ring member, poles cores on which winding are provided
being fixed to ring number. If a malleable casting is employed, then the pole core could be
cast integrally with the right. After fitting the windings on the cores, poles shoes are fitted to
provide pole faces of appropriate shape and area. The rotor disc should be provided with
properly designed fins for faster heat removal. The magnetic circuits of the two units are
substantially the same, non-undue and thrust would be imposed on the motor bearings. Slight
axial displacement of rotor could however, cause quite appreciable discrepancy, the air gap of
two units. The effect would be to increase the magnetic pull in one air gap and diminish it on
other which could give to rise to excessive and thrust on rotor bearing to overcome the
inherent defect, the air gaps of both units could be put in series by making the central number
non magnetic and providing a continues pole core for each pair axially opposite poles. This
modification could possibly reduce the length of the combined pole course or permits a larger
winding length.
2.3 WORKING
When the vehicle is moving, the rotor disc of eddy current brake which is coupled to
the wheels of the vehicle rotates, in close proximity to stationary magnetic poles. When we
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want to brake the vehicle, a control switch is put on which is placed on the steering column in
When the control switch is operated, current flows from a battery to the field winding,
thus energizing the magnet. Then the rotating disc will cut the magnetic field. When the disc
cuts the magnetic field, flux changes occur in the disc which is proportional to the strength of
the magnetic field. The current will flow back to the zero field areas of the metal plate and
thus create a closed current loop like a whirl or eddy. A flow of current always means there is
a magnetic field as well. Due to Lenz’s law, the magnetic field produced by the eddy currents
work against the movement direction. Thus instead of mechanical friction, a magnetic friction
is created. In consequence, the disc will experience a “drag” or the braking effect, and thus
the disc stops rotation. The wheels of the vehicle, which is directly coupled to the disc, also
stop rotation. Faster the wheels are spinning, stronger the effect, meaning that as the vehicle
The control switch can be set at different positions for controlling the excitation
current to several set values in order to regulate the magnetic flux and consequently the
magnitude of braking force i.e. if the speed of the vehicle is low, a low braking force is
required to stop the vehicle. So the control switch is set at the lowest position so that a low
current will be supplied to the field winding. Then the magnetic field produced will be of low
When the control switch is operated during the standby position of the vehicle, the
magnet will be energized and magnetic field is created. But since the wheels are not moving,
magnetic lines of force are not cut by it, and the brake will not work. However, a warning
lamp is provided on the instrument panel to indicate whether the brake is energized. This
provides a safe guard for the driver against leaving the unit energized.
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When control switch is put in any one of the operating positions, the corresponding
conductor in the contractor box is energized and current flows from the battery to the field
winding to the contractor box. This current magnetizes the poles in stator, which placed very
near to the rotor. When rotor rotates it will cut magnetic lines and eddy current will set up in
the rotor. The magnetic field of this eddy current produces a breaking force or torque in the
opposite direction of rotation disc. This kinetic energy of rotor is converted as heat energy
and dissipated from rotating disc to surrounding atmosphere. Current in the field can change
by changing the position of the controls switch. Thus we can change the strength of the
braking force.
An eddy current brake consists of a conductive piece of metal, either a straight bar or a disk,
which moves through the magnetic field of a magnet, either a permanent magnet or
an electromagnet. When it moves past the stationary magnet, the magnet exerts a drag
force on the metal which opposes its motion, due to circular electric currents called eddy
currents induced in the metal by the magnetic field. Note that the conductive sheet is not
made of ferromagnetic metal such as iron or steel; usually copper or aluminum are used,
which are not attracted to a magnet. The brake does not work by the simple attraction of a
It shows a metal sheet (C) moving to the right under a magnet. The magnetic field (B, green
arrows) of the magnet's North Pole N passes down through the sheet. Since the metal is
moving, the magnetic flux through sheet is changing. At the part of the sheet under the
leading edge of the magnet (left side) the magnetic field through the sheet is increasing as it
gets nearer the magnet. From Faraday's law of induction, this field induces a
counterclockwise flow of electric current (I, red), in the sheet. This is the eddy current. In
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contrast, at the trailing edge of the magnet (right side) the magnetic field through the sheet is
Another way to understand the action is to see that the free charge carriers (electrons) in the
metal sheet are moving to the right, so the magnetic field exerts a sideways force on them due
to the Lorentz force. Since the velocity v of the charges is to the right and the magnetic
field B is directed down, from the right hand rule the Lorentz force on positive
charges qv×B is toward the rear in the diagram (to the left when facing in the direction of
motion of the sheet) This causes a current I toward the rear under the magnet, which circles
around through parts of the sheet outside the magnetic field in two currents, clockwise to the
right and counterclockwise to the left, to the front of the magnet again. The mobile charge
carriers in the metal, the electrons, actually have a negative charge, so their motion is
Due to Ampere's circuital law, each of these circular currents creates a counter magnetic field
(blue arrows), which due to Lenz's law opposes the change in magnetic field, causing a drag
force on the sheet which is the braking force exerted by the brake. At the leading edge of the
magnet (left side) by the right hand rule the counterclockwise current creates a magnetic field
pointed up, opposing the magnet's field, causing a repulsive force between the sheet and the
leading edge of the magnet. In contrast, at the trailing edge (right side), the clockwise current
causes a magnetic field pointed down, in the same direction as the magnet's field, creating an
attractive force between the sheet and the trailing edge of the magnet. Both of these forces
oppose the motion of the sheet. The kinetic energy which is consumed overcoming this drag
force is dissipated as heat by the currents flowing through the resistance of the metal, so the
The braking force of an eddy current brake is exactly proportional to the velocity V, so it acts
similar to viscous friction in a liquid. The braking force decreases as the velocity decreases.
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When the conductive sheet is stationary, the magnetic field through each part of it is constant,
not changing with time, so no eddy currents are induced, and there is no force between the
magnet and the conductor. Thus an eddy current brake has no holding force.
PROPOSED METHODOLODGY
A. CONCEPT DESIGN
According to this law, whenever a conductor cuts magnetic lines of forces, an e.m.f is
magnetic field and the speed of the conductor. If the conductor is a disc, there will be
circulatory currents i.e. eddy currents in the disc. According to Lenz's law, the
direction of the current is in such a way as to oppose the cause, i.e. movement of the
disc. Essentially the eddy current brake consists of two parts, a stationary magnetic
field system and a solid rotating part, which include a metal disc. During braking, the
currents in the disc. The magnetic interaction between the applied field and the eddy
currents slow down the rotating disc. Thus the wheels of the vehicle also slow down
since the wheels are directly coupled to the disc of the eddy current brake, thus
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B. MARKET SURVEY
According to our concept of the project, we study many types of eddy current braking
system and compare the design of our braking system. On the basis of the survey, we
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C. MATERIAL SELECTION
1) Rotor Disc: The rotor is usually made of cast iron, but may in some cases be made
This is connected to the wheel and/or the axle. To retard the wheel, friction
material in the form of brake pads, mounted on the brake caliper, is forced
sides of the rotor. Friction causes the rotor and attached wheel to slow or stop.
which is used to transmit power from one part to another, or from a machine which
produces power to a machine which absorbs power. The various members such as
pulleys and gears are mounted on it. The material used for ordinary shafts is mild
steel. When high strength is required, alloy steel such as nickel, nickel-chromium
and finished to size by cold drawing or turning and grinding. C45 is a medium
carbon steel is used when greater strength and hardness is desired than in the "as
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3) Permanent Magnet: In an eddy current brake the magnetic field may be created by
and off or varied by varying the electric current in the electromagnet's windings.
Another advantage is that since the brake does not work by friction, there are no
the brake has no holding force when the moving object is stationary, as is
D. EXISTING METHOD
1) Ordinary Brakes: Moving things have kinetic energy and, if you want to stop them,
you have to get rid of that energy somehow. If you're on a bicycle going fairly
slowly, you can simply put your feet down so they drag on the ground. The soles
of your feet act as brakes. Friction (rubbing) between the rough ground and the
grip on your soles slows you down, converting your kinetic energy into heat
energy (do it long enough and your shoes will get hot). Brakes on vehicles work
pretty much the same way, with "shoes" that press rubber pads (brake blocks)
2) Eddy Current Brakes: If the conductor we are moving through the magnetic field
isn't a wire that allows the electricity to flow neatly away. We still get electric
currents, but instead of flowing off somewhere, they swirl about inside the
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They're electric currents generated inside a conductor by a magnetic field that
can't flow away so they swirl around instead, dissipating their energy as heat. One
of the interesting things about eddy currents is that they're not completely
random: they flow in a particular way to try to stop whatever it is that causes
them. This is an example of another bit of electromagnetism called Lenz's law (it
follows on from another law called the conservation of energy, and it's built into
the four equations summarizing electromagnetism that were set out by James
down the inside of a plastic pipe. It might take a half second to get to the bottom.
Now repeat the same experiment with a copper pipe and you'll find your magnet
takes much longer (maybe three or four seconds) to make exactly the same
journey. Eddy currents are the reason. When the magnet falls through the pipe,
conductor, it produces a magnetic field. So the eddy currents generate their own
magnetic field. Lenz's law tells us that this magnetic field will try to oppose its
cause, which is the falling magnet. So the eddy currents and the second magnetic
field produce an upward force on the magnet that tries to stop it from falling.
That's why it falls more slowly. In other words, the eddy currents produce a
braking effect on the falling magnet. It's because eddy currents always oppose
whatever causes them that we can use them as brakes in vehicles, engines, and
another machine.
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2.4 EDDY CURRENT BRAKE IN TRAINS
In the case of trains, the part in which the eddy current is induced is rail. The brake
shoe is enclosed in a coil, forming an electromagnet. When the magnet is energized, eddy
currents are induced in the rail by means of electromagnetic induction, thereby producing
braking action.
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DISTRIBUTION OF MAGNETIC FLUX DENSITY
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CHAPTER-3
3.1 There are two types of eddy current brakes according to the method of excitation.
Electrically excited eddy current brakes are abruption-free method for braking.
In high-speed trains they offer a good alternative to the mechanical rail brakes which are
being used nowadays. During braking, the brake comes in contact with the rail, and the
magnetic poles of brakes are energized by a winding supplied. Magnetic poles of brakes are
energized by a winding supplied with current from the battery. Then the magnetic flux is
distributed over the rail. The eddy currents are generated in the rail, producing an
electromagnetic braking force. This types of braking need an additional safety power supply
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ELECTRICALLY EXCITED EDDY CURRENT BRAKE
Recently, permanent magnet eddy current brakes have been developed for subways, trams
and local trains. These brakes need a mechanical actuator to turn the magnets jn an on and off
position. The main advantage of this type of brake is safety i.e. it does not need electrical
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3.2 Eddy current brakes come in two geometries:
In a linear eddy current brake, the conductive piece is a straight rail or track that the
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3.2.1 Disk eddy current brakes
Disk eddy current brake on 700 Series Shinkansen, a Japanese bullet train
Disk electromagnetic brakes are used on vehicles such as trains, and power tools such
as circular saws, to stop the blade quickly when the power is turned off. A disk eddy current
brake consists of a conductive non-ferromagnetic metal disc (rotor) attached to the axle of the
vehicle's wheel, with an electromagnet located with its poles on each side of the disk, so the
magnetic field passes through the disk. The electromagnet allows the braking force to be
varied. When no current is passed through the electromagnet's winding, there is no braking
force. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, current is passed through the electromagnet
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windings, creating a magnetic field, The larger the current in the winding, the larger the eddy
currents and the stronger the braking force. Power tool brakes use permanent magnets, which
are moved adjacent to the disk by a linkage when the power is turned off. The kinetic energy
of the vehicle's motion is dissipated in Joule heating by the eddy currents passing through the
disk's resistance, so like conventional friction disk brakes, the disk becomes hot. Unlike in the
linear brake below, the metal of the disk passes repeatedly through the magnetic field, so disk
eddy current brakes get hotter than linear eddy current brakes.
Japanese Shinkansen trains had employed circular eddy current brake system on trailer cars
brakes in favor of regenerative brakes, since 14 of the 16 cars in the train set used electric
motors. In regenerative brakes, the motor that drives the wheel is used as a generator to
produce electric current, which can be used to charge a battery, so the energy can be used
again.
of providing an electrically adjustable load on the engine. They are often referred to as an
Inexpensive air-cooled versions are typically used on chassis dynamometers, where their
inherently high-inertia steel rotors are an asset rather than a liability. Conversely,
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performance engine dynamometers tend to utilize low-inertia, high RPM, liquid-cooled
RPM) loading or to motor the engine - for starting or motoring (downhill simulation).
Also, since they do not actually absorb energy, provisions to transfer their radiated heat out of
the test cell area must typically be provided. Either a high-volume air-ventilation or water-to-
air heat exchanger adds additional cost and complexity. In contrast, the high-end AC-motor
Linear eddy current brakes are used on some vehicles that ride on rails, such as trains. They
are used on roller coasters, to stop the cars smoothly at the end of the ride.
The linear eddy current brake consists of a magnetic yoke with electrical coils positioned
along the rail, which are being magnetized alternating as south and north magnetic poles.
This magnet does not touch the rail, but is held at a constant small distance from the rail of
approximately 7 mm (the eddy current brake should not be confused with another device, the
magnetic brake, in wide use in railways, which exerts its braking force by friction of a brake
shoe with the rail). It works the same as a disk eddy current brake, by inducing closed loops
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of eddy current in the conductive rail, which generate counter magnetic fields which oppose
The kinetic energy of the moving vehicle is converted to heat by the eddy current flowing
through the electrical resistance of the rail, which leads to a warming of the rail. An
advantage of the linear brake is that since each section of rail passes only once through the
magnetic field of the brake, in contrast to the disk brake in which each section of the disk
passes repeatedly through the brake, the rail doesn't get as hot as a disk, so the linear brake
can dissipate more energy and have a higher power rating than disk brakes.
The eddy current brake does not have any mechanical contact with the rail, and thus no wear,
and creates no noise or odor. The eddy current brake is unusable at low speeds, but can be
used at high speeds both for emergency braking and for regular braking.
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CHAPTER-4
Sophisticated calculation methods for the determination of braking forces of eddy current
For a simple eddy current brake employing a thin non-magnetic disc as copper the drag or
Where
Torque = F * R Nm
energy of a vehicle into heat and dissipate it such a rate to maintain the temperature of unit
within reasonable limits under maximum and prolonged braking conditions. The energy
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absorbed by the brake is transformed into heat by the currents induced in the motor, and this
is heat manly dissipated in surrounding air through the medium of suitable designed fins the
rotating member.
In mountains area, continues braking force is needed for a long time (say about half
an hour), at this condition, eddy current braking is more suitable to function without
They can be advantageously employed on public service vehicles on city routes without
frequent stops. But in this braking system there without be any braking force in the vehicle is
rest. So the eddy current brake is used as an auxiliary heavy-duty retarder. By using auxiliary
retarder very smooth retardation is assumed and likely hood of skidding on slippery roads
surfaces is minimized. Smooth braking action cuts down tier were and since brake is used as
assumed and likely hood of skidding on slippery roads surfaces is minimized. Smooth
braking action cuts down tier were and since the conventional brakes are relieved of heavy
A typical mounting of an eddy current brake consists of two discs in which pole
salient type, supported between the frame numbers of a vehicle chassis. Rotor is coupled to
road wheels being often mounted on a shaft that is interposed between the gearbox and
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The driver who can select one or four excitation settings according to the breaking
effect required mounts a control switch on a steering column in a position for easy operation.
In the operative positions of this switch 1, 2, 3, 4 contractors are energized to supply current
to the excitation windings of the retarder. Warning lamp is also provided on the instrument
panel to indicate when the retarder is energized. This provides a safe guard for the driver
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CHAPTER-5
5.1. ADVANTAGES
Less maintenance
Long life
Eddy current brakes offer smooth retardation of vehicles without skidding. It is totally
free of wear and tear. So it has long life compared to ordinary brakes. These need less
maintenance.
In mountain areas continuous braking is needed for a long time. At this condition,
By changing the excitation current to the field winding, i.e. by adjusting the position
of the control switch, we can vary the braking force to required range. The operation of eddy
current brake is very simple i.e. the control switch is a soft switch which can be operated
Eddy current brakes works even under the toughest environmental conditions. For
example, in larger water slides and water coasters where the humidity would immediately
results in reduction of friction and thus impair the effectiveness of ordinary brakes. It works
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5.2. DISADVANTAGES
The main disadvantage of the eddy current brake is that it needs electric power to
work. Researchers are going on to overcome this disadvantage by making the brake
regenerative i.e. by converting the kinetic energy of the vehicle into electric energy and
5.3. APPLICATIONS
Eddy current brakes are best substitutes for ordinary brakes, which are being used
nowadays in road vehicles even in trains, because of their jerk-free operation. In mountain
areas where continuous braking force is needed, for a long time, the eddy current braking is
very much useful for working without overheating. Eddy current brakes are very much useful
for high-speed passengers and good vehicles. It can also be used to slow down the trolleys of
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CONCLUSION
Eddy current brakes are the best choice when demands for reliability and safety are
the highest. They work even in the toughest environmental conditions. Even the strike of
Eddy current braking system is not popular nowadays. But we hope that the eddy
current braking system which is simpler and more effective will take the place of the ordinary
braking system and we can do expect it to be the norm one in few years of time.
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REFERENCES
3. Analysis of eddy current brake for high-speed railway by Wang.P.J. & Chiuch.S.J.
7. www.reelectromagneticbrakes.com
8. www.lineareddycurrentbrakes.com
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