Eddy Current Brakes: Working & Application! 

Eddy current brakes use electromagnetism to stop objects from moving, unlike mechanical brakes, which use friction and kinetic energy as their primary energy sources.  

When a conductor passes via a magnetic field, opposing forces spin inside the conductor and produce eddy currents. Electromagnetic Eddy Current Brakes are an inverse reaction to the source magnetic field because, by Lenz's law, they generate a magnetic field that is opposed to the magnetic field that produced them. For a smooth deceleration, this electromagnetic force reaction works well.  

Eddy current braking is a cutting-edge technique that offers many advantages over conventional brakes. Eddy's current brakes require very little maintenance because there is no physical contact between the components, making them perfect for many types of machinery.   

Due to their physical and financial benefits, Eddy's current brakes are popular among mechanical engineers. A non-ferromagnetic conductive disc rotates perpendicularly through a toroidal magnetic field in one primary eddy current brake design.   

Eddy currents are produced while the disc rotates. After that, energy is lost throughout the disc, creating a braking torque force. Because the strength of the magnetic field and, consequently, the braking action can be modified, electromagnets are frequently utilized for eddy current brakes rather than permanent magnets. The inability of eddy current brakes to provide a "holding" torque is one of their main drawbacks. As a result, they are frequently utilized in addition to conventional mechanical brakes.  

Electromagnetic eddy current brake offers a lot of advantages, some of which are listed below:   

Power Tools & Industrial Equipment  

Eddy current breaks are frequently used in industrial machinery and power tools for emergency shut-off functions. Eddy's current brakes can quickly and safely stop a piece of powerful equipment when activated. Even in non-emergency situations, eddy current braking is utilized in these machines to prevent them from operating.  

High-Speed Trains  

High-speed rail travel is viewed as a means of coping with increased demands on public transit networks as nations seek to solve concerns connected to commuting and urban life. A speeding train can be safely slowed down while providing comfort for the passengers using eddy currents. With the aid of this technology, commuter trains and even streetcars may go at higher speeds while still being safe.  

Amusement Park Rides  

The high-speed rides in nature amusement parks are a lot of fun, but they require a very safe and secure braking system because they are massive, heavy machines going at high speeds. Eddy's current brakes are necessary to the modern amusement park experience and are frequently seen in roller coasters and other amusement park rides. Eddy currents allow rides to change direction and speed quickly while maintaining a high safety level for everyone on board.  

Due to the nature of eddy current brakes, they can slow a roller coaster down faster the faster it moves. The force produced by eddy currents can be used to cause a roller coaster to slow down at specific predetermined locations on the track automatically. This braking technique is typically applied following a rollercoaster ride or a significant increase in speed for the train. Due to their weather resistance and low maintenance requirements, electromagnetic eddy current brakes are also excellent for amusement parks.  

Conclusion  

After understanding the working principle and applications of eddy current brake, you can now understand its effectiveness in numerous applications.