Abstract:
A trolley magnetic braking system having a brake block assembly engagable by a trolley, a substantially stationary conductor that is pitch adjustable and a carrier having magnetic members that are driven along the conductive member for braking a trolley. Providing a pitch adjustable conductor allows for modification of how much of the conductor interfaces with the magnets and therein varying the amount of eddy current applied in the braking apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to brake systems and, more specifically, to a trolley magnetic braking system comprising a brake block engagable by a trolley, a substantially stationary conductor that is pitch adjustable and a carrier having magnetic members that are driven along the conductive member providing means for braking a trolley. Providing a pitch adjustable conductor allows for modification of how much of the conductor interfaces with the magnets and therein varying the amount of eddy current applied in the braking apparatus. 
     The present invention provides for an additional element comprising one or more pulleys that may be used to vary the orientation of the braking system relative to the brake block, e.g. whether the apparatus is in a somewhat horizontal or vertical orientation or somewhere in between. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other breaking systems designed for the same purpose. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 1,898,555 issued to McCune on Feb. 21, 1933. 
     Another patent was issued to Yoshio Nomura et al. on Apr. 14, 1970 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,862. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,795 was issued to Baermann on Mar. 27, 1973 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 31, 1978 to Baermann as U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,922. 
     Another patent was issued to Kroger et al. on Jan. 26, 1999 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,891. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,897 was issued to Saumweber et al. on Mar. 28, 2000. Another was issued to Pribonic on 25, Sep. 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,376 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 2, 2002 to Pribonic as U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,611. 
     Another patent was issued to Pribonic et al. on Mar. 18, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,083. Yet another France Patent No. FR2832114 was issued to Kroger Uwe on May 16, 2003. Another was issued to Yasuaki on Oct. 6, 2005 as Japan Patent No. JP2005271704. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,898,555 
     Inventor: Joseph McCune 
     Issued: Feb. 21, 1933 
     A traction increasing apparatus for rail vehicles, the combination with an electromagnet of a member carried by the vehicle, rods secured to said magnet, brackets secured to said member in which said rods are slidably mounted, springs for yielding maintaining said magnet supported above the rail, and means for maintaining said springs under initial compression. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,862 
     Inventor: Yoshio Nomura et al. 
     Issued: Apr. 14, 1970 
     A brake system is claimed in which the eddy current braking devices are mounted to confront another rail laid parallel to a main rail for supporting a vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,395 
     Inventor: Max Baermann 
     Issued: Mar. 27, 1973 
     A novel eddy-current and hysteretic brake for track-bound vehicles is provided which incorporates resisting skids or rollers to eliminate wear problems associated with prior art brakes of this type. The particular magnetic construction of the pole surface is critical to obtain maximum hysteretic and eddy-current forces with a uniform air gap and the minimum energization. The pole surface is also formed to prevent undesirable air currents or the accumulation of dirt or other disturbing external build-up, while providing maximum pole surface and winding relationships. An alternating pole configuration is provided along the direction of movement of the vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,922 
     Inventor: Max Baermann 
     Issued: Oct. 31, 1978 
     An eddy current or hysteresis brake, preferably for track bound vehicles which is infinitely variable and wear-free. A cylindrical rotatable permanent magnet magnetized on its diameter is arranged between a pair of pole pieces in combination with the plurality of stationary magnets, each arranged to magnetize the pole pieces with opposite magnetic polarity. By rotating the cylindrical magnet, the magnetic field at the ends of the pole pieces can be varied from a maximum to zero. The generated flux is projected into the track. Braking occurs by induced eddy currents. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,891 
     Inventor: Uwe Kroger et al. 
     Issued: Jan. 26, 1999 
     A magnetic rail brake, particularly an eddy current brake for rail vehicles, has at least one exciter coil which comprises a coil around a pole core as well as a device for holding the coil and/or for the protection against outside environmental influences. The pole core and/or protection device are composed of individual components which are at least largely electrically insulated with respect to one another. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,897 
     Inventor: Eckart Saumweber et al. 
     Issued: Mar. 28, 2000 
     A magnetic brake, particularly a linear eddy-current brake for rail vehicles, having a magnet yoke which extends substantially along the whole eddy-current brake, has a concave shape with respect to a plane rail in its installed position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,376 
     Inventor: Edward Pribonic 
     Issued: Sep. 25, 2001 
     Eddy current braking apparatus includes a linear array of spaced apart permanent magnets arranged for defining a slot therebetween. A diamagnetic or non-magnetic fin is disposed and sized for movement through the slot. A pivotal linkage enables the magnets to move with respect to the fin from a spaced apart first position to a second position in which the fin passes through the slot. A control mechanism selectively moves the magnets between the first and second positions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,611 
     Inventor: Edward Pribonic 
     Issued: Jul. 2, 2002 
     An eddy current brake system with dual use conductive fin includes a linear array of spaced apart permanent magnets and a non-magnetic electrically conductive fin. The magnets are mounted with respect to the fin for enabling passage past one another at a distance sufficient to cause eddy currents to be induced resulting in a braking force between the magnets and the fin. A mechanical brake is provided for frictionally engaging the fin and a surface treatment of the fin and enables the fin to sustain mechanical abuse of friction without effecting a change in the eddy current braking. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,083 
     Inventor: Edward Pribonic et al. 
     Issued: Mar. 18, 2003 
     Eddy current braking Apparatus is provided which includes a single array of permanent magnet for providing a magnet flux. An electrically conducted member for exclusively engaging the magnetic flux provided by the single array of permanent magnet. The magnets and conductive member are mounted for enabling relative motion between the magnet array and the conductive member to produce any currents in the conductive member resulting in the braking force between magnets and the conductive member. The configuration of the magnets and the conductive member enable the braking system to be installed over curvilinear paths. 
     France Patent Number FR2832114 
     Inventor: Uwe Kroger 
     Issued: May 16, 2003 
     The brake is held clear of the rail in normal running of the train, but may fall onto the track if its support is damaged or breaks. The system includes a detector and monitoring program that monitors the distance (h) between the brake ( 2 - 7 ) and the track ( 1 ′). One or more distance detectors ( 11 , 12 ) measure the air gaps between the magnetic brake and the track. 
     Japan Patent Number JP2005271704 
     Inventor: Sakamoto Yasuaki 
     Issued: Oct. 6, 2005 
     PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce heat generation and temperature rise of a rail in an eddy current brake device using the rail as a secondary conductor. 
     SOLUTION: The eddy current brake device is disposed at the position opposing to the rails  21 ,  22  in a rolling stock, and is equipped with an electromagnetic converters  11 ,  12  and a power converter  15 . The electromagnetic converters  11 ,  12  generate the eddy current in the rail by the magnetic field generated according to the supplied current, and generate an electromotive force in connection with the change of relative position to the rail. The power converter  15  supplies current into the overhead wire or the device consuming or storing power based on the electromotive force impressed from the electromagnetic converters by supplying alternating exciting current into the electromagnetic converters based on the voltage impressed on the rolling stock from the overhead wire and generates the braking force.
 
While these brake systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.
 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic braking system that is based on drag created by relative movement between a conductor and a magnet. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic braking system comprising a brake block in communication with substantially stationary conductor and a carrier having a plurality of magnets thereon. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic braking system where the conductive member is pitch adjustable to varying the generated eddy currents and thereby drag. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a trolley magnetic braking system comprising a brake block engagable by a trolley, a substantially stationary conductor that is pitch adjustable and a carrier having magnetic members that are driven along the conductive member providing means for braking a trolley. Providing a pitch adjustable conductor allows for modification of how much of the conductor interfaces with the magnets and therein varying the amount of eddy current applied in the braking apparatus. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the magnet carrier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the magnet carrier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the brake block of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an assembled perspective view of the brake block of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of option two of the present invention in use; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the second option of the present invention in use; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the present invention in use. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternate brake block. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of another alternate brake block. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of an alternate brake block magnet carrier configuration. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Eddy Current Braking System for Trolley Zip Line Cable with a Stationary Conductor of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Eddy Current Braking System for Trolley Zip Line Cable with a Stationary Conductor     12  brake block assembly     14  zip line     16  brake cable     18  magnetic carrier assembly     20  copper sheet conductor     22  trolley     24  pulley     26  support post for  20       28  slot of  26       30  adjustment bolt     32  magnet carrier support track     34  brake cable connection point     36  magnet     38  steel back plate for  36       40  wheels/covered cam follower     42  base of  18       44  brake block housing plate     46  contact flange of  44       48  pulley wheel of  18       50  spacer     52  washer     54  bolt     56  connection rod       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the present invention  10  in use. The present invention  10  is based on drag created when magnets on a magnetic carrier assembly  18  pass along a copper sheet conductor  20 . Angled copper is provided so as the magnets moves it picks up more and more conductor  20 . The design allows for easy changes in angle, thus easy adjustment of braking forces. A trolley  22  moves along a zip line  14  and encounters a brake block assembly  12  that is provided to remotely engage the brake system via a brake cable  16  or rope that is redirected to a remote location by a pulley  24  and connected at the other end to the magnet carrier  18 . The invention  10  provides a magnetic braking system for use on zipline/cable rides and trolley  22 . Keep in mind that any rigging set-up may be employed and oriented to suit the application and that the ones illustrated in the drawing figures are used to demonstrate the relationship of the primary components and their interaction therewith. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the position of the present invention  10  prior to the trolley  22  making contact with the brake block  12  on the zip line  14 . The conductor  20  is retained in place by support posts  26  and adjustment bolts  30  with at least one having a pair of bolt slots  28  for adjusting the position of the conductor  20  accordingly. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the half way position of the present invention  10  when the trolley  22  makes contact with the brake block  12  and remotely engages the brake system via a brake cable  16  redirected by a pulley  24  to draw the magnet carrier  18  along a magnet carrier support track  32 . The magnets of the magnet carrier  18  are disposed on opposing sides of the conductor  20  wherein the resulting eddy currents serve to create drag to slow down and stop travel of the magnet carrier  18  and the associated brake block  12  and trolley  22 . Angled copper is provided so as the magnet moves it picks up more and more conductor  20  and consequently increases the drag through greater exposure to the eddy currents. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention in use. Shown is the final brake position of the present invention present invention  10  when the trolley  22  makes contact with the brake block  12  and remotely engages the brake system via a brake cable  16  redirected by a pulley  24  to draw the magnet carrier  18  along a magnet carrier support track  32 . The magnets of the magnet carrier  18  are disposed on opposing sides of the conductor  20  wherein the resulting eddy currents serve to create drag to slow down and stop travel of the magnet carrier  18  and the associated brake block  12  and trolley  22 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the magnet carrier  18  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the magnet carrier  18  installed with the copper sheet conductor  20  running through the middle of the magnet carrier  18 . The magnet carrier  18  travels along an I-beam style support track  32  when drawn by the brake cable that is connected to brake cable connection point  34  on the magnet carrier  18 . Also shown is the support post  26  for the conductor  20  having slots  28  for the adjustment bolts  30  thereby enabling the conductor  20  to be raised or lowered accordingly. The greater the surface area of the conductor  20  exposed to the magnetic field within the magnet carrier  18 , the greater the resultant eddy currents and drag. 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective view of the magnet carrier  18  of the present invention  10 . Shown is a detailed view of the magnet carrier  18  having a pair of interiorly disposed spaced apart magnets  36  mounted on steel back plates  38  projecting perpendicularly from a base  42 . A plurality of wheels/covered cam followers  40  are disposed underneath the base  42  to reduce friction and wear as the magnet carrier  18  glides along the support track. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the brake block  12  of the present invention  10 . The brake block  12  is intended to ride on the primary zipline. Rider&#39;s trolley will encounter this block  12 , which is attached to the brake cable that will engage the magnet carrier in some remote location. Thus as this moves, it will move the magnet carrier along the conductor via the brake cable. This design features sheaves/wheels that will allow smooth travel on the zipline, reducing wear and initial impact to the trolley and zipline rider. The brake block assembly  12  comprises a pair of spaced apart housing plates  44  with each having a contact flange  46  extending perpendicularly outward from on end to form a substantially flat surface for engaging the trolley. A plurality of pulley wheels  48  are freewheelingly disposed between the housing plates  44  and the unit is assembly using a plurality of threaded spacers  50 , bolts  54  and washers  52 . 
       FIG. 8  is an assembled perspective view of the brake block of the present invention  10 . The brake block assembly  12  comprises a pair of spaced apart housing plates  44  with each having a contact flange  46  extending perpendicularly outward from on end to form a substantially flat surface for engaging the trolley. A plurality of pulley wheels  48  are freewheelingly disposed between the housing plates  44  and the unit is assembly using a plurality of threaded spacers  50 , bolts  54  and washers  52 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of option two of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the position of the present invention  10  prior to the trolley  22  making contact with the brake block  12  on the zip line  14 , remotely engages the brake system via a brake cable  16  or rope. The conductor  20  and magnet carrier  18  are oriented vertically and a plurality of pulleys  24  is employed. This serves to demonstrate that the rigging may set-up accordingly for the needs of the application without deviating from the function of the components. 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the second option of the present invention  10  in use. Shown is the half way position of the present invention  10  when the trolley  22  makes contact with the brake block  12  on the zip line  14  thereby drawing the brake cable  16  through the pulleys  24  and pulling the magnet carrier  18  upward along the conductor  20 . 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the present invention in use. Shown is the final brake position of the present invention  10  when the trolley  22  pushed the brake block  12  on the zip line  14  thereby drawing the brake cable  16  through the pulleys  24  and pulling the magnet carrier  18  upward along the conductor  20 . 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of an alternate brake block. Shown is an alternate configuration of the eddy current braking system  10  for zip line  14  trolleys  22  comprising a brake block  12  having the magnetic carrier  18  fixed thereto and forming an integral part therewith. The present invention provides that the magnetic carrier  18  can be moved along the conductive member  20  inducing eddy currents by pushing or pulling the magnetic carrier  18 . As illustrated, the brake block  12  and magnet carrier  18  are combined into a single unit that can be pushed or pulled along the zip line  14 . 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of another alternate brake block. Shown is an alternate configuration of the eddy current braking system  10  for zip line  14  trolleys  22  comprising a brake block  12  and magnetic carrier  18  having a rigid connective member  56  therebetween used to drive the magnetic carrier  18  along the conductive member  20  inducing eddy currents by pushing the magnetic carrier  18 . The present invention provides that the magnet carrier can be pushed or pulled along the conductive member  20  when the trolley engages break block  12 . 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an alternate brake block magnet carrier configuration. Shown is an alternate configuration of the eddy current braking system  10  for zip line  14  trolleys  22  comprising an elongated brake block  12  having connective members engaging the magnetic carrier  18  fixed thereto and forming an integral part therewith. The present invention provides that the magnetic carrier  18  can be moved along the conductive member  20  inducing eddy currents by pushing or pulling the magnetic carrier  18  when the trolley engages break block  12 . As illustrated, the brake block  12  and magnet carrier  18  are combined into a single unit that can be pushed or pulled along the zip line  14 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.