Eddy Current Brakes

Electrically excited eddy current brake 18kB

Electrically powered eddy current brakes are an abrasion free method for breaking. In high speed trains they offer a good alternative to the mechanical rail brakes which are used nowadays. In such an application the rail represents the part in which the eddy currents are induced. The eddy currents then cause, according to Lentz´s rule, the breaking effect.

Sophisticated calculation methods for the determination of the braking and attracting forces of eddy current brakes are important for the design of the brake`s magnetic path. The department has developed especially for this problem a 3D-FEM-solver for non-linear materials with movement term. The solver can be incorporated into available software packages. With this solver the design and function of eddy current brakes can be optimized.

Recently, permanent magnet excited eddy current brakes have been developed for subways, trams and local trains. These brakes need a mechanical actuator to turn the magnets in an on and off position. One of the brakes main advantages is safety. In contrast to electrically excited eddy current brakes permanent magnet brakes do not need an additional safety power supply when there are breakdowns in the electric power supply.

Permanent magnet excited eddy current brake 39,9kB