Laminated Track Channel Segment to Reduce Shear-Pin Eddy Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed transportation systems face challenges in achieving high efficiency and high-power density due to issues with channel segments peeling apart or sliding under high magnetic flux changes, where traditional shear pins can cause electrical shorts and eddy currents, hindering system operation.
Innovation Solution
A channel segment design featuring laminations of ferromagnetic material with C-shaped, U-shaped, or horseshoe-shaped magnetic flux pathways, incorporating shear pins positioned to minimize eddy currents and a retention mechanism that keeps the laminations insulated and securely fastened, reducing the impact of magnetic flux changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If shear pins are used to hold laminations together, then structural integrity is improved, but electrical shorts and eddy currents occur due to electrical conductivity of shear pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrically insulating material as an intermediary between the shear pins and laminations. This mediator allows the shear pins to maintain structural integrity while preventing electrical conductivity, thereby eliminating eddy currents and electrical shorts. The insulating material acts as a barrier that decouples the mechanical fastening function from the electrical conduction path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the electrical conductivity property from the shear pin system by using electrically insulating materials. The shear pins retain only their mechanical fastening function while the electrical conduction path is removed, allowing the system to benefit from structural integrity without the harmful electrical effects.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional fastening methods are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but channel segments peel apart or slide under high magnetic flux changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by combining multiple materials with different properties: ferromagnetic laminations for magnetic flux conduction, electrically insulating materials for electrical isolation, and shear pins for mechanical fastening. This composite approach allows each material to perform its optimal function, achieving both ease of manufacture and high reliability under magnetic flux changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel segments are constructed from multiple stacked laminations rather than a single solid piece. This segmentation allows the structure to flex and accommodate magnetic flux changes while maintaining overall integrity. The layered construction with insulating materials between laminations prevents peeling and sliding while preserving manufacturing simplicity.
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 solution effectively reduces eddy currents and maintains structural integrity under high magnetic flux conditions, preventing peeling and electrical shorts, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of high-speed transportation systems.
Implementation Method 1
the channel segments may magnetically conduct magnetic flux in two perpendicular directions to propel the mover along the track formed by the channel segments
Implementation Method 2
forces due to the changing magnetic flux in the other of these directions may cause the laminations to peel apart and/or slide part. While shear pins may be used to hold the laminations together... use of shear pins to hold the laminations together at regions of high magnetic flux change may be detrimental to the operation of the transportation system due to eddy currents which occur one or more of in and around the shear pins
Data Source
AI summary
A channel segment for a track of a mover device is provided, the channel segment comprising: opposite ends joined by a body forming a magnetic flux pathway between the opposite ends, the magnetic flux pathway being one or more of C-shaped, U-shaped and horseshoe shaped between the opposite ends, the opposite ends forming respective transverse magnetic flux pathways about perpendicular to the magnetic flux pathway; laminations of ferromagnetic material forming the body, the laminations about parallel to the magnetic flux pathway and about perpendicular to the respective transverse magnetic flux pathways; shear pins through the laminations, the shear pins positioned to reduce eddy currents one or more of in and around the shear pins; and a retention mechanism at the opposite ends, the retention mechanism configured to transversely fasten the laminations together at the opposite ends while remaining insulated from each other.