An eddy current braking system for a wheel of a vehicle, the vehicle including a chassis and the wheel being rotatably mounted to the chassis, the wheel including a wheel rim made of an electrically-conductive material and extending annularly around a wheel cavity, the system comprising: a magnetic field generating member secured to the chassis and disposed annularly within the wheel cavity and proximal to the wheel rim, the magnetizable member being operable for generating a magnetic field towards the wheel rim to generate eddy current within the wheel rim upon rotation of the wheel; and a magnetic field controller operatively connected to the magnetic field generating member for selectively controlling an intensity of the magnetic field applied by the magnetic field generating member on the wheel rim.

The current subject matter describes a device and system including one or more movable arms containing one or more magnets that are caused to move relative to a non-ferrous material by motion of the device to generate eddy currents that cause a braking of the device. Devices of this disclosure may include one or more trolleys that moving along a coaster track and which contain braking arms having magnets that move due to inertial force and/or can be controlled by a remote server computer based on information obtained from the one or more trolleys as they move along the coaster track.

Present example embodiments relate generally to a ground transportation system for interacting with one or more vehicles, the vehicle comprising at least one magnetic element fixedly attached to the vehicle, each magnetic element operable to generate a magnetic field having a first magnitude and a first direction, the system comprising a magnetic coil assembly fixedly positioned near an area traversable by the vehicle and comprising a core and a magnetic wire coil wrapped around the core, the magnetic coil assembly operable to generate a magnetic field having a second magnitude and a second direction; and an energy storage unit operable to release energy to and store energy from the magnetic coil assembly.

Present example embodiments relate generally to a ground transportation system for interacting with one or more vehicles, the vehicle comprising at least one magnetic element fixedly attached to the vehicle, each magnetic element operable to generate a magnetic field having a first magnitude and a first direction, the system comprising a magnetic coil assembly fixedly positioned near an area traversable by the vehicle and comprising a core and a magnetic wire coil wrapped around the core, the magnetic coil assembly operable to generate a magnetic field having a second magnitude and a second direction; and an energy storage unit operable to release energy to and store energy from the magnetic coil assembly.

A transmission system selectively coupled to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine arranged on a vehicle includes a waste heat recovery (WHR) system, a brake assembly and a phase-change thermal heat storage system. The WHR system selectively circulates a WHR fluid in the transmission system. The brake assembly selectively couples a transmission output shaft to a drive axle. The brake assembly is configured to operate in a braking mode that retards relative rotation between the transmission output shaft and the drive axle while generating heat. The heat storage system includes a housing defining at least one cavity and a fluid transfer manifold. A phase-change material is disposed in the cavity that is configured to change phase during the braking mode. The WHR system circulates the WHR fluid through the fluid transfer manifold collecting braking heat to be used at a later time in the form of driveline power.

A transmission system selectively coupled to an engine crankshaft of an internal combustion engine arranged on a vehicle includes a waste heat recovery (WHR) system, a brake assembly and a phase-change thermal heat storage system. The WHR system selectively circulates a WHR fluid in the transmission system. The brake assembly selectively couples a transmission output shaft to a drive axle. The brake assembly is configured to operate in a braking mode that retards relative rotation between the transmission output shaft and the drive axle while generating heat. The heat storage system includes a housing defining at least one cavity and a fluid transfer manifold. A phase-change material is disposed in the cavity that is configured to change phase during the braking mode. The WHR system circulates the WHR fluid through the fluid transfer manifold collecting braking heat to be used at a later time in the form of driveline power.

A frictionless electromagnetic braking system utilizes linear alternators which are controlled by a power electronics converter interface to capture the car's kinetic energy and generate braking force on the wheel. The alternators are engaged by driver or operator input.

A frictionless electromagnetic braking system utilizes linear alternators which are controlled by a power electronics converter interface to capture the car's kinetic energy and generate braking force on the wheel. The alternators are engaged by driver or operator input.

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.