Patent ID: 6523650
Filing Date: 2003-02-25
Classification: B60L

Abstract:
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 90Â° 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.