An actuator has an electrically conductive coil which has a longitudinal axis and a plurality of turns and a magnet arranged at a distance from the turns in radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis. The coil is partially covered by a central region of a first conducting element on a side which faces away from the magnet and the magnet is partially covered by a mid region of a second conducting element on a side facing away from the turns of the coil. The first conducting element projects beyond the coil and the second conducting element projects beyond the magnet in the direction of the longitudinal axis and there each have collar-like projections. The coil has a first winding turns region and a second winding turns region.

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).

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).

An electromagnetic actuator for generating force is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a ferromagnetic body extending along a longitudinal axis, the ferromagnetic body comprising: a back-iron portion; and a pair of pole portions, extending from the back-iron portion, the back-iron portion connecting the pair of pole portions. The electromagnetic actuator further includes one or more magnetic-flux changing components at the pole portions, a respective magnetic-flux changing component located at a respective pole face, the respective magnetic-flux changing component configured to change magnetic flux density at a respective track-facing surface relative to the respective pole face. The electromagnetic actuator further includes electrical windings around the pole portions.

An electromagnetic actuator for generating force is provided. The electromagnetic actuator includes a ferromagnetic body extending along a longitudinal axis, the ferromagnetic body comprising: a back-iron portion; and a pair of pole portions, extending from the back-iron portion, the back-iron portion connecting the pair of pole portions. The electromagnetic actuator further includes one or more magnetic-flux changing components at the pole portions, a respective magnetic-flux changing component located at a respective pole face, the respective magnetic-flux changing component configured to change magnetic flux density at a respective track-facing surface relative to the respective pole face. The electromagnetic actuator further includes electrical windings around the pole portions.