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.

An axial displacement amplified eddy current damper is disclosed. The axial movement of a slide bar is converted into the rotation of copper sheets and generates eddy current for energy consumption. The copper sheets are rotated and amplified by adjusting the sizes of gears. The short displacement of the slide bar can cause a large angle rotation of the copper sheets, so that energy consumption efficiency is high. The damping parameter can be adjusted by adjusting the magnetic field strength of permanent magnets, the thickness of the copper sheets and the distance from the copper sheets to the permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are adopted to provide continuous magnetic field sources, without external energy, thereby generating long-term and stable vibration reduction effect.

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 system (100), electromagnetic actuator (102) and track (101) for braking are provided. The actuator (102) includes pole portions (109) extending from back-iron portions. Respective longitudinal axes (104) of the pole portions (109) are arranged about parallel to one another and about perpendicular to a common movement axis (104). A pole pitch of the pole portions (109) is selected to induce eddy currents in a segmented track (101), such that the eddy currents are present in a skin depth at more than one surface of segments (105) of the segmented track (101) when the pole portions (109) are moving at given speeds. Eddy current generated losses occupy about an entirety of a volume of a segment (105) of the track (101) below a given intermediate speed, and the eddy current generated losses occupy at least one third of the volume of the segment (105) at a given maximum speed greater than the given intermediate speed. Individually controllable electrical windings are around respective pole portions (109).

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.

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.

Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Described herein is an assembly and methods of use thereof for controlling or governing the relative speed of motion between the assembly parts via eddy current formation. The assembly and methods also may minimize the number of parts required and may minimize the number of moving parts thereby increasing the mechanical durability of the assembly compared to art designs that may have more moving parts and greater part complexity

Described herein is a device comprising members in a kinematic relationship. The kinematic relationship is at least partially governed by at least one magnetically induced force that introduces a force threshold that, in effect, provides a threshold to part movement and confers a degree of hysteresis, preventing movement until a sufficiently large energizing force is applied. The effect may be further altered by use of an additional magnetically induced force interaction with at least one further member to urge or slow movement once started and/or to prevent movement once a new position is reached.