EDDY CURRENT

BRAKE
 CONTENTS :~
Introduction of eddy
current
Introduction of eddy
current brake
Components And
Operational Features Of
Eddy Current Brakes
How eddy current brake
works?
Advantages
Disadvantages
Applications
conclusion
INTRODUCTION OF EDDY CURRENT

Eddy currentsareelectric currents induced

inconductorswhen exposed to a changingmagnetic
field; due to relative motion of the field source and
conductor or due to variations of the field with time.

This can cause a circulating flow ofelectrons, or

current, within the body of the conductor.

These circulatingeddies of current

haveinductanceand thus induce magnetic fields.
 Introduction Of Eddy
Current Brake
Eddy current brakes, like conventional friction brakes, are
responsible for slowing an object, such as rotating machinery, a
moving train, or even a roller coaster.
These brakes make use of opposing tendency of eddy currents.
The drawbacks of ordinary brakes which uses mechanical
blocking could be eliminated by use of a more simple and
effective mechanism known as eddy current brakes.

There are two basic types:

(1)circular

(2)linear
 CIRCULAR EDDY
CURRENT BRAKES:-
Linear Eddy Current
Brakes:-
 COMPONENTS AND
CONSTRUCTIONAL
FEATURES OF EDDY

CURRENT BRAKES:-
Electromagnets
Cast Iron Core
Conducting (Copper) Wire
Mounting bolts
Disc
Mild steel machined from plates

Essentially the eddy current brake consists of two parts, a

stationary magnetic field system and a solid rotating part,
which include a metal disc.

Two members are separated by a short air gap, they're being

no contact between the two for the purpose of torque
transmission. Consequently there is no wear as in friction
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.

During braking,
Copper the metalisdisc
and aluminum usedisas
exposed tomaterials.
winding 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 the disc of the eddy current brake, thus producing
smooth stopping motion.
Working Principle
 HOW DOES AN EDDY CURRENT BRAKE STOP SOMETHING MOVING?

Suppose we have a huge solid block of copper mounted on

wheels. It is moving at a very high speed and we need to stop it.
Suppose we place a giant magnet next to the track so that
train had to pass nearby.
As the copper approached the magnet eddy currents
would be generated inside the copper which would their
own magnetic field.
 As the front part approached the magnet eddy currents
in that bit of copper would try to generate a repulsive
magnetic field to slow down coppers approach to magnet.

As the front passed by, slowing down, the currents there

would reverse, generating an attractive magnetic field that
tried to pull the train back again. (again, slowing it down).

The copper would heat up the eddy currents swirled

inside it, gaining the kinetic energy lost by the train as it
slowed down.
ARRANGEMENT OF DIFFERENT PARTS
IN EDDY CURRENT BRAKE
(Arrangement of ECB in high speed trains)
 Advantages Of Eddy
Current Brakes:-
It uses electromagnetic force and not mechanical friction
Non-mechanical (no moving parts, no friction)
Fully resettable
Can be activated at will via electrical signal
Low maintenance
Operates at any rotational speed
Light weight
Eddy-current brakes are quiet, frictionless, and wear-free,
and require little or no maintenance.
They produce no smell orpollution (unlike friction brakes,
which can release toxic chemicals into the environment).

All this makes them much more attractive than noisy friction
brakes that need regular inspection and routinely wear out. It's
been estimated that switching an electric train from friction
brakes to eddy-current brakes could halve the cost of brake
operation and maintenance over its lifetime.
 DISADVANTAGES:-
Braking force diminishes as speed diminishes with no
ability to hold the load in position at standstill.

That could be considered to be asafety issue, but it

really means that friction braking may need to be used as
well.

Eddy-current brakes can only be used where the

infrastructure has been modified to accept them.

It can not be used at low speed vehicles or vehicle

running at low speed
 Applications:-
For additional safety on long decants in mountain area

For high speed passenger and goods vehicle.

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 faster roller
coasters.

There are a number of major commercial applications of eddy

current brake technology in the mining, railroad, and elevator
industries.

We'll also find eddy current brakes in all kinds of machines, such as
circular saws and other power equipment. And they're used in things
like rowing machines and gym machines to apply extra resistance to
the moving parts so your muscles have to work harder.
 Conclusion:-
The ordinary brakes which are being used now a days stop the
vehicle by means of mechanical blocking. This may cause skidding
and wear and tear of the vehicle.

And if the speed of the vehicle is very high the brake could not
provide that much high braking force and it will cause problems.

These drawbacks can be eliminated by using a simple and effective

mechanism of braking system called eddy current brakes.

It is an abrasion free method for braking of vehicles including

trains.

It makes use of opposing tendency of eddy currents .

THE END