Eddy Current Wheel Brake Layout for Higher Torque With Less Bulk
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Eddy current magnetic braking devices for vehicle wheels, particularly aircraft wheels, are heavy and bulky due to the power and dimensions of the magnets required for significant braking, which is a constraint for applications like airplanes.
Innovation Solution
An eddy current magnetic braking device with a central element surrounded by external elements carrying magnets that generate a magnetic flow to induce eddy currents, optimizing the magnetic flow and concentrating it to achieve a higher braking torque with reduced weight and bulk by using a Halbach pattern arrangement of magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high power magnets are used to achieve significant braking torque, then braking performance is improved, but weight and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-sided magnet arrangement to a dual-sided configuration where magnets are positioned on both external elements surrounding a central element. This dimensional change allows magnetic flux to penetrate the central element from both faces, effectively doubling the braking torque generation capability without proportionally increasing magnet mass, thereby improving power-to-weight ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two braking surfaces (front and rear faces of the central element) into a single integrated braking structure. The magnetic flux from both external elements converges through the central element, merging the braking actions into a unified system that achieves higher total braking torque while sharing the mechanical load and thermal dissipation across both interfaces
2Power
If high power magnets are used to achieve significant braking torque, then braking performance is improved, but device bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing both faces of the central element for magnetic flux penetration, the patent effectively uses the thickness dimension of the central element to its advantage. This allows the magnetic circuit to be compact in the radial direction while maximizing the use of available space in the axial direction, achieving high braking torque without excessive radial bulk
3Productivity
If the central element thickness is reduced to optimize skin effect superposition, then braking efficiency is improved, but thermal and mechanical stress resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of the central element to achieve the desired skin effect superposition. By carefully selecting this parameter, the design achieves maximum braking efficiency through enhanced eddy current generation while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to withstand operational thermal and mechanical stresses
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides a significant increase in braking torque while minimizing weight and bulk, achieving up to 60% more performance with optimized magnetic flow and skin effect superposition.
Implementation Method 1
magnets capable of emitting via the first faces a magnetic flow generating in the central element, made of electrically conductive material, eddy currents when the elements are in relative movement
Implementation Method 2
magnetic flow generating in the central element, made of electrically conductive material, eddy currents when the elements are in relative movement
Implementation Method 3
With a suitable thickness of the central element, a 'superposition of skin effects' can be obtained
Data Source
AI summary
An eddy current magnetic braking device includes two outer elements surrounding a central element in relative movement with respect to the two outer elements, the central element being made of an electrically conductive material, the two outer elements having first faces facing opposite second faces of the central element and each of the two outer elements including plural magnets for emitting, via the first faces, a magnetic flow that generates in the central element eddy currents when the two outer elements are in relative movement. The plural magnets are arranged in such a way that the two outer elements attract each other. The central element has a thickness such that a skin effect is generated from each face of the central element over more than half the thickness of the central element over at least a range of possible relative speeds of the central element relative to the two outer elements.