阅读说明：本技术 更改涡流相互作用的方法 (Method for modifying eddy current interactions ) 是由 安德鲁·卡尔·迪尔 凯文·A·莱特 韦斯顿·希尔 达韦·沃尔特斯 于 2015-12-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本文描述了使用涡流相互作用来抵抗构件之间的相对移动的制动机构和相关使用方法,其中在涡流区域周围的磁通量被改变为超过由简单的磁极布置产生的固有拖曳力效应。(Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of use that use eddy current interaction to resist relative movement between components, wherein the magnetic flux around the eddy current region is altered to exceed the inherent drag effect produced by a simple pole arrangement.)

1. A braking mechanism comprising a halbach array, the halbach array comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by a magnetic element, the magnetic element comprising a north pole facing magnet element and a south pole facing magnet element, the north pole facing magnet element and the south pole facing magnet element being aligned to induce a magnetic field between the north pole facing magnet element and the south pole facing magnet element and around a predetermined region between the north pole facing magnet element and the south pole facing magnet element; and

at least one further magnet arranged in a semi-circular shape around the magnet elements in the form of a magnetic coating around the north and south pole facing magnet elements, the magnetic coating acting to alter the magnetic flux density within the halbach array around the predetermined region between the north and south pole facing magnet elements; and

at least one conductive member or a portion thereof;

wherein when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof does not interact with the predetermined area, independent movement occurs between the conductive member and the predetermined area, and when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, eddy current drag forces are generated that resist relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the predetermined area and cause dependent movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the predetermined area, and wherein the predetermined area has a gap through which the conductive member passes.

2. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one conductive member passes through the centre of the halbach array to cause an interaction.

3. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined region is located around the region of maximum magnetic flux density.

4. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one conductive member has a shape selected from circular, spherical, ovoid or toroidal.

5. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or 4 wherein the at least one conductive member or part thereof is uninterrupted.

6. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or 4 wherein the at least one conductive member or part thereof is segmented.

7. A method of controlling relative movement between components of a braking mechanism, the braking mechanism comprising the steps of:

selecting a braking mechanism according to claim 1;

connecting at least one first member to the magnetic element and at least one other member to the conductive member; and

applying a motive force to the first member or the other member and resisting relative movement between the first member and the other member with the resulting eddy current drag force generated by the braking mechanism.

8. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the braking mechanism is incorporated into an automatic tether system.

9. The braking mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein the braking mechanism is incorporated into a self-retracting lifeline (SRL) system.

Technical Field

Methods of relative movement between a brake mechanism and a brake member are described herein. More specifically, described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of use that use eddy current interaction to resist relative movement between components, wherein the magnetic flux around the eddy current region is altered to exceed the inherent drag effect produced by a simple pole arrangement.

Background

Devices in the art may utilize eddy current drag forces to apply drag forces to conductive members that undergo relative movement with respect to a magnetic field. The eddy current drag effect applies a frictionless retarding force and can therefore be used for various braking applications, especially where a wear effect is not desired. The eddy current effect can also be tailored to suit various applications, some examples of which are described in other applications of the inventors.

One aspect of eddy current drag interaction is that magnetic field strength is squared with braking torque. In other words, a small increase in magnetic field strength can result in a dramatic increase in eddy current drag.

Applicants' co-pending and issued patents in the field of eddy current related devices, including US8,851,235, US8,490,751, NZ619034, NZ627617, NZ627619, NZ627633, NZ627630 and other equivalent patents, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. While the devices described in these patents/applications may be useful, other methods of modifying eddy current interaction, such as by increasing magnetic flux density, may also be useful, or at least provide the public with a choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the above-described braking mechanism and method of braking relative movement should become apparent from the ensuing description, which is given by way of example only.

Disclosure of Invention

Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of use that use eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between components, wherein the magnetic flux around the eddy current region is altered to exceed the inherent drag effect created by the constant magnetic field resulting from a simple pole arrangement.

In a first aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element that induces a magnetic flux around the predetermined area;

at least one magnetic flux density changing device;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In a second aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element and a magnetic cladding around the magnetic element, the cladding at least partially altering the magnetic flux around the predetermined area; and

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In a third aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by a magnetic element positioned to form a Halbach array that alters magnetic flux around one or more predetermined regions,

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In a fourth embodiment, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element that induces a magnetic flux around the predetermined area;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area;

a ferrofluid located at least partially around the magnetic element and the at least one electrically conductive member or a portion thereof, thereby changing a magnetic flux density of the predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof passes through the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In a fifth embodiment, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element that induces a magnetic flux around the predetermined area;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area;

a magnetic flux density altering device located on and/or in the at least one conductor or a portion thereof, the magnetic flux density altering device increasing the magnetic permeability between the magnetic element and the at least one conductor or a portion thereof, thereby altering the magnetic flux density around the area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof passes through the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of controlling relative movement between components, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting at least one braking mechanism substantially as described above;

(b) connecting at least one first member to the magnetic element and at least one other member to the one or more conductors;

(c) power is applied to one or more of the members and relative movement between the members is resisted by the resulting eddy current drag force generated by the braking mechanism.

Advantages of the braking mechanism and method of use described above include the ability to vary and adjust the retarding force. One embodiment allows the ability to induce significantly greater deceleration forces than would be possible without the use of the magnetic flux density increase option.

Drawings

Other aspects of the above-described braking mechanism and method of braking relative movement will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a typical magnetic field around a north and south magnetic pole resulting from the interaction of magnetic elements configured in a simple pole arrangement without changing magnetic flux density;

FIG. 1B shows a magnetic field subjected to a magnetic cladding;

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a magnetic circuit subjected to magnetic cladding;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative braking mechanism using a magnetic coating and conductors;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a braking mechanism using a magnetic coating and a magnetic circuit;

FIG. 5 illustrates a brake mechanism using a looped conductor through a Halbach array;

FIG. 6 illustrates a ferrofluid brake mechanism embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows an alternative ferrofluid brake mechanism embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows another alternative ferrofluid brake mechanism embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a modified conductor using an additive in the conductor to enhance magnetic flux; and

figure 10 shows a possible compact shape of the braking mechanism.

Detailed Description

As described above, described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of use that use eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between components, wherein the magnetic flux around the eddy current region is altered to exceed the inherent drag effect created by the constant magnetic field resulting from a simple pole arrangement.

For the purposes of this specification, the term "about" or "approximately" and grammatical variations thereof means that an amount, level, degree, value, quantity, frequency, percentage, size, total amount, weight, or length varies by as much as 30%, 25%, 20%, 15%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% from a reference amount, level, degree, value, quantity, frequency, percentage, size, total amount, weight, or length.

The term "substantially" or grammatical variations thereof means at least about 50%, e.g., 75%, 85%, 95%, or 98%.

The terms "comprises" and "comprising," as well as grammatical variations thereof, are to be construed in an inclusive sense, i.e., to mean that a listed component is included not only in its immediate reference, but also in other unspecified components or elements.

In the context of magnetic flux, the term "alter" and grammatical variations thereof refers to any or all of directing, enhancing, attenuating, retarding, or increasing the density of magnetic flux in or around a predetermined area. The term "invariant magnetic effect" or "simple pole arrangement" and grammatical variations thereof refers to the impedance to the moving effect of a conductive element, the invariant effect being observed with respect to one or more simple (e.g., north/south) pole arrangements that do not have a magnetic flux altering effect. One example of a varying effect may be through the use of a magnetic flux redirecting device or a magnetic flux gathering device.

In a first aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element that induces a magnetic flux around the predetermined area;

at least one magnetic flux density changing device;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In a second aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element and a magnetic cladding around the magnetic element, the cladding at least partially altering the magnetic flux around the predetermined area; and

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

A magnetic cladding may be formed around at least a portion of each magnetic element. The cladding may surround substantially all of the magnetic elements to confine and/or direct substantially all of the generated magnetic field.

The braking mechanism may include: a magnetic circuit of at least two magnetic fields provided by the magnetic element and a magnetic cladding around the magnetic element, the cladding at least partially altering the magnetic flux around at least two predetermined regions; and at least one conductive member or a portion thereof that interacts with the predetermined area. As mentioned, the magnetic circuit may be formed by using two sets of opposing magnetic elements and cladding, with a gap around a predetermined region and at least one conductive member or a portion thereof passing through the region.

Two predetermined regions in the loop may be positioned opposite each other. Such alignment may be useful for the shape and design of the conductors, but is not required.

The conductive member may be in the shape of a rotor. Alternatively, the conductive member may be rod-shaped. The term "rod" refers to an elongated solid body that may be curvilinear in shape but may also have a polygonal cross-section. The rod may be solid or hollow.

The magnetic field may comprise one magnet element facing north and one magnet element facing south, the magnet elements facing north and south being aligned to form a magnetic field between the elements.

The predetermined area may be located around the area having the maximum magnetic flux density. The predetermined area may be located directly between the magnetic elements. The predetermined area is typically the space directly between the poles, but may also be at other locations, such as may be produced by a halbach array as described in more detail below.

The predetermined area may have a gap through which one or more conductive members may pass.

In a third aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by a magnetic element positioned to form a halbach array that alters magnetic flux around one or more predetermined regions;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof interacts with the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

In one embodiment, the halbach array may comprise a magnetic array arranged in a semi-circular shape, the predetermined region being a region within the circular region having the highest magnetic flux density.

The at least one conductor may have various shapes such as a circle, a sphere, an oval, and a ring. At least one conductor, or a portion thereof, may pass through the center of the halbach array.

Regardless of shape, at least one conductor member or a portion thereof may be uninterrupted or segmented. If the conductor is segmented, each segment can move, for example, about the axis of the toroid, in conjunction with driving the conductor to move about the main axis, thereby generating even greater eddy current drag forces from both conductor movement and segment movement.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element that induces a magnetic flux around the predetermined area;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area;

a ferrofluid located at least partially around the magnetic element and the at least one electrically conductive member or a portion thereof, thereby changing a magnetic flux density of the predetermined area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof passes through the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

As mentioned above, there may be a gap between the magnetic elements through which the at least one conductor member or a part thereof passes. A backplate may be used behind the magnetic element to seal the magnetic element and the at least one conductor or a portion thereof within the backplate cavity. The free space within the cavity of the backplate can be filled with a ferrofluid. By sealed is meant that the magnetic element and at least one conductor are enclosed within other elements to form a sealed region. The seal may be impermeable to prevent loss of material, such as ferrofluid, in the seal area.

In the alternative embodiments described above, the magnetic elements may be spaced apart by the use of spacers or barriers. These barriers may also reduce the size of the cavity in which the ferrofluid is placed. The barrier may also prevent "shorting" of the magnetic field outside of the conductor's area.

In another embodiment, the braking mechanism may include a back plate having a magnetic element therein as described above. Two conductor plates may be located between the magnetic elements, defining a cavity or space between the conductor plates. The cavity or space between the conductors may be filled with a ferrofluid.

In the above embodiments, the ferrofluid may also have fluid properties that inhibit movement of the conductor, thereby further enhancing the drag effect. Fluid properties may refer to fluid viscosity-viscosity drag as a known means to absorb kinetic or kinetic energy. In this embodiment, fluid properties such as conductivity and viscosity may be altered to modify drag dynamics.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a brake mechanism comprising:

at least one magnetic field provided by the magnetic element that induces a magnetic flux around the predetermined area;

at least one conductive member or portion thereof that interacts with a predetermined area;

a magnetic flux density altering device located on and/or in the at least one conductor or a portion thereof, the magnetic flux density altering device increasing the "permeability" between the magnetic element and the at least one conductor or a portion thereof, thereby altering the magnetic flux density around the area; and

when the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof passes through the predetermined area, an eddy current drag force is generated that resists relative movement between the at least one conductive member or a portion thereof and the magnetic field.

At least one conductor or a portion thereof may be altered in magnetic flux by the use of additives, such as particles or nanoparticles, located on or in some or all of the conductor. The particles may be made of various magnetic flux enhancing materials including, for example, iron and nickel. The particles may be formed into, bonded to, and/or laminated outside of the conductor.

The various braking mechanisms described above may employ a wide range of final topologies, including linear motion, rotational motion, polar motion, axial motion, and the like. Topologies within these ranges may be combined to achieve various types of relative movement between the magnetic field and the conductor.

In addition to the varied topology described above, the conductor shape itself may also be varied, for example to optimize the size and shape of the space and overall braking mechanism. For example, the conductor may have fins and the fins may serve as the conductor portions of the pass-through regions, in which embodiment the fins may extend from the central hub in different directions to optimize the conductive surface across multiple magnetic flux regions.

In a sixth aspect, there is provided a method of controlling relative movement between components, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting at least one braking mechanism substantially as described above;

(b) connecting at least one first member to the magnetic element and at least one other member to the one or more conductors;

(c) power is applied to one or more of the members and relative movement between the members is resisted by the resulting eddy current drag force generated by the braking mechanism.

The final embodiment of the braking mechanism described herein may vary. The magnetic field portion may for example be connected to a first member of the braking mechanism and the one or more conductor members are connected with a second member. For example, embodiments of self-belay or self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) may utilize the braking mechanism. In this embodiment, the conductor may be connected to a cord on a spool, for example, and the magnetic field portion may be connected to a separate rotor, the conductor and magnetic element interacting to arrest payout of the cord and prevent an accident by arresting a fall when the cord is protracted at a predetermined rate, which may be equivalent to a fall. This embodiment should not be considered limiting as the described braking mechanism may be applied to a wide variety of other applications, non-limiting examples including speed control of:

rotating the rotor in the turbine;

sports equipment, such as rowing machines, planetary trainers;

roller coasters and other amusement rides;

elevators and escalator systems;

evacuation descender and safety ladder devices;

a conveying system;

rotary drives in factory production facilities;

material handling devices, such as conveyor belts or braking devices in chutes;

a dynamic display flag to control the rate of change of the rotary flag;

roadside safety systems, for example eddy current brakes may be connected in the system to provide crash attenuation through energy dissipation through the brakes;

safety belts in vehicles;

high altitude strop;

trams and car braking mechanisms.

The advantages of the braking mechanism and the using method include: the ability to vary and adjust the braking force, and the ability to potentially cause significantly greater braking force than would be the case without the use of the magnetic flux density increase option.

The embodiments described above may also be broadly construed to include the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Further, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments pertain, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Working examples

The above-described braking mechanism and method of use will now be described with reference to specific embodiments.

Example 1

Referring to fig. 1 to 4, a magnetic cladding embodiment as a means for changing magnetic flux by guiding and increasing magnetic flux density around an area is described.

FIG. 1A shows an uncoated magnetic field. The magnetic field 3 comprises two magnetic elements (north 1 and south 2) and the generated magnetic field 3 follows a classical field path around the poles 1,2, with the region of strongest flux 4 being directly between the elements 1, 2. Fig. 1B shows how the magnetic field 3 changes when the magnetic coating 6 is used. The illustrated cladding 6 guides and increases the magnetic flux density around a predetermined area, which in this embodiment is the space 7 directly between the magnetic elements 1, 2.

Fig. 2 shows a magnetic circuit. The circuit 10 is established by means of magnet elements 13, 14 establishing pole pairs. The magnet elements 13, 14 are joined together with a structural material 15 of high magnetic permeability to form a magnetic circuit. The coating is established by means of magnets 12 adjacent to the field magnets 13, 14. An additional cladding 16 is provided adjacent the gap region 18. The magnetic field of the coated magnets 12, 16 focuses and enhances the resulting magnetic field in the gap region 18.

Fig. 3 and 4 show a possible braking mechanism using the coated magnetic field of fig. 1 and 2 in combination with a conductor member 20 passing through the region 21. In fig. 3, conductor 20 has an elongated foot end that passes through region 21. When such a pass-through occurs, eddy current drag forces act on the conductor 20 to slow or resist relative movement between the magnetic elements 22, 23 and the conductor 20. Fig. 4 shows the conductor 20 moving through the magnetic circuit 10 of fig. 2, in which case the two parts 20A, 20B of the conductor member 20 interact with different magnetic areas 21A, 21B, thereby increasing the possible eddy current drag.

Note that the movement of the conductor member relative to the magnetic field may be linear, rotational, or in different directions, and the illustrated embodiment should not be considered limiting. The conductor shape may also take various forms including, for example, a rod or rotor shape.

It is also noted that an important aspect is the different relative movement between the magnetic element and the one or more conductor members. For example, the magnetic element may be stationary while the conductor member moves. Alternatively, the conductor member may remain stationary and the magnetic element may move. In another alternative, both the magnetic element and the conductor member may move, but with different speeds and possibly also different directions of movement.

Example 2

Halbach arrays may also be used as a means of directing and increasing the magnetic flux density around a predetermined area.

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a possible braking mechanism using a halbach array. In this embodiment, the magnetic array 30 is arranged in a semicircular shape, and the halbach array enhances the magnetic flux in a predetermined region 31 within the circular region. The conductor 32 passes through the semicircular region 31 and when this occurs, eddy current drag forces are generated. In fig. 5, the conductor member 32 has an annular shape, however various shapes may be used.

Example 3

Fig. 6-8 illustrate alternative embodiments that utilize ferrofluid to change the magnetic flux density by increasing the magnetic permeability between the magnetic element and the conductor.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the brake mechanism 40 includes: two back plates 41, 42; magnetic elements 43, 44 extending perpendicularly from the back plates 41, 42; and one or more conductors 45 between the magnetic elements 43, 44 through the gap. The back plates 41, 42 seal the magnetic elements 43, 44 and the conductor 45 within the cavity. The free space within the cavity may then be filled with ferrofluid 46 as described above. When relative movement occurs, a vortex drag force is generated that resists the relative movement.

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment 40A in which the magnetic elements 43, 44 are spaced apart by the use of spacers or barriers 47 and these barriers also reduce the size of the cavity in which the ferrofluid is placed. The barrier 47 may prevent shorting of the magnetic field and may reduce the amount of ferrofluid needed. The barrier 47 may extend beyond the length of the magnetic elements 43, 44 to further reduce the size of the cavity and short circuiting of the magnetic field.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment 40B, the braking mechanism comprising back plates 41, 42 having magnetic elements 43, 44 therein as described above. The two conductive plates 45A, 45B may be located between the magnetic elements 43, 44, thereby defining a cavity or space between the conductive plates 45A, 45B. The cavity or space between the conductor plates 45A, 45B may be filled with a ferrofluid 46.

In the above embodiments, the ferrofluid 46 may also have fluid properties such as viscous drag that inhibits movement of the conductors 45, 45A, 45B, thereby further enhancing the drag effect.

Example 4

Fig. 9 shows another braking mechanism 50, which mechanism 50 comprises the same back plates 51, 52 and magnetic elements 53, 54 as in fig. 6 to 8, however, the magnetic flux direction and density is changed by using a magnetic flux changing material in the form of particles or additives 55 mixed in or placed on a conductor member 56 instead of using a ferrofluid. The additives/particles 55 may be located on or in the conductor member 56. The particles 55 may be made of various magnetic flux enhancing materials including, for example, iron and nickel. The particles 55 may be formed into the conductor member 56, bonded outside of the conductor member 56, and/or laminated outside of the conductor member 56. In fig. 9, the particles 55 are uniformly dispersed throughout the structure of the conductor member 56.

Example 5

As described above, the conductor member and the magnetic field may take various shapes and forms. Some braking mechanisms may require a compact form or topology. One way to achieve a compact form may be to use a conductor 60 with fins 61, the fins 61 serving as the portion of the conductor 60 that passes through the flux region 62 as shown in fig. 10. In this embodiment, tabs 61 extend from central hub 63 in different directions to optimize the conductive surface across multiple magnetic flux regions 62.

Various aspects of the braking mechanism and method of braking relative movement have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.