Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.

A clutch assembly for a motor vehicle drivetrain for coupling coupling elements for conjoint rotation includes a clutch unit, a brake unit and at least one permanent magnet between the clutch unit and the brake unit. The clutch unit is shiftable into a coupling state in which the coupling elements are coupled to one another by shifting the clutch unit from a first position in which the coupling elements are decoupled into a second position in which the coupling elements are coupled. First and second electrically energizable coils are electrically energizable to move the permanent magnet from the first position into the second position or vice versa. A holding plate is located adjacent to the at least one permanent magnet to suppress magnetic flux from the at least one permanent magnet to the brake unit. A motor vehicle drivetrain containing at least one clutch assembly is also provided.

A brake and method of assembly are provided. The brake includes a friction plate configured for coupling to a rotatable body for rotation with the rotatable body about an axis of rotation, a pressure plate disposed about the axis on a first side of the friction plate and fixed against rotation, and an armature plate disposed about the axis on a second side of the friction plate. An electromagnet is disposed about the axis on an opposite side of the armature plate relative to the friction plate. A spring biases the armature plate in a first axial direction towards the friction plate and away from the electromagnet to engage the brake. A fastener couples the pressure plate to the electromagnet. The fastener conforms to a space between opposed surfaces of the pressure plate and the electromagnet and, upon hardening, bonds the pressure plate to the electromagnet.

An energy-saving electromagnetic brake includes a base, a first winding coil, a second winding coil, and a control circuit component. The first winding coil is disposed inside the base, wherein the first winding coil has a first resistance value. The second winding coil is disposed inside the base and is disposed around the first winding coil, wherein the second winding coil has a second resistance value, and the second resistance value is greater than the first resistance value. The control circuit component is disposed inside the base and is electrically connected to the first winding coil and the second winding coil. In a first period, the control circuit component drives the first winding coil. In a second period, the control circuit component simultaneously drives the first winding coil and the second winding coil, and the first winding coil and the second winding coil are connected in series.

Described herein are braking mechanisms and related methods of using eddy current interactions to resist relative movement between members, the magnetic flux about an eddy current region being modified beyond an inherent drag effect resulting from a simple magnetic pole arrangement.

Described herein is a system, method of use and Self Retracting Lifeline (SRL) apparatus using a system that governs a dynamic response between members causing a halt in relative motion between the members. Magnetic interactions, eddy current drag forces and centrifugal and/or inertial forces may provide various mechanisms of governing movement.

A wing for an aircraft is disclosed having a fixed wing, a foldable wing tip portion mounted to the fixed wing via a hinge rotatable about a hinge axis between an extended position and a folded position, and an actuation unit for actuating the foldable wing tip portion for movement about the hinge axis. The wing includes a brake unit for securing the foldable wing tip portion in the folded position, and the brake unit is formed separately from the actuation unit.

By means of the system described, the use of eddy current generators on vehicles, especially bicycles, can be simplified by easier integration into standardized components such as brake pads, making them more suitable for everyday use. The problem of overcoming the magnetic holding forces at low speeds is essential for cyclists, as these would otherwise rule out the use of such systems in everyday traffic due to the lack of power generation when starting off at low speed. The integration into brake pads provides a significant advantage, as a new functionality is achieved without the need for additional components. The claimed additional functions for signalling contribute to increased traffic safety, especially for two-wheel traffic.

A rotational resistance apparatus includes a rotational shaft member including a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion, and a third shaft portion disposed between the first and second shaft portions and having a diameter larger than that of each of the first and second shaft portions, and the rotational shaft member being made of a magnetic material, a housing member configured to hold the rotational shaft member and made of a magnetic material, a first coil disposed between an outer circumferential surface of the first shaft portion and an inner circumferential surface of the housing member, a second coil disposed between an outer circumferential surface of the second shaft portion and the inner circumferential surface of the housing member, and a magnetic viscose fluid disposed between an outer circumferential surface of the third shaft portion and the inner circumferential surface of the housing member.

The invention relates to a coil device for an electromagnetic track brake for a rail vehicle. The coil device has a winding wire, which has a first end and a second end. The coil device is the first end of the winding wire is formed as a first coil connection for establishing an electrically conductive joint connection to a first connection cable and/or the second end of the winding wire is formed as a second coil connection for establishing an electrically conductive joint connection to a second connection cable.