An eddy current brake for a vehicle, the eddy current brake comprising a rotor, and an electromagnet arranged to receive current from an electromechanical energy generating means during braking of the vehicle and to induce an eddy current within the rotor.

A wheel brake arrangement for a vehicle, the wheel brake arrangement comprising an eddy current wheel brake configured to receive electric power from a source of electric power of the vehicle during braking, and a transmission arrangement comprising a first shaft connected to the eddy current wheel brake and a second shaft connectable to a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the transmission arrangement comprises a ratio varying arrangement, the ratio varying arrangement being configured to, for any rotational speed below a predetermined threshold speed of the second shaft during braking, control a rotational speed of the first shaft to be maintained within a predetermined rotational speed range.

A wheel brake arrangement for a vehicle, the wheel brake arrangement comprising an eddy current wheel brake configured to receive electric power from a source of electric power of the vehicle during braking, and a transmission arrangement comprising a first shaft connected to the eddy current wheel brake and a second shaft connectable to a wheel of the vehicle, wherein the transmission arrangement comprises a ratio varying arrangement, the ratio varying arrangement being configured to, for any rotational speed below a predetermined threshold speed of the second shaft during braking, control a rotational speed of the first shaft to be maintained within a predetermined rotational speed range.

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.

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.

Therefore, a first aspect provides a brake module for a magnetically suspended vehicle. The brake module comprising a first magnetically active brake element coupled to a first brake magnet actuator comprised by the brake module. The first brake magnet actuator is arranged to control the first magnetically active element to provide a first magnetic brake field of a pre-determined magnitude at a first pre-determined location relative to the brake module, of which first magnetic brake field the first field lines are, in use, substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle. By providing an Eddy current brake having magnetic field components that are substantially horizontally oriented, influence of magnetic forces excited by the Eddy currents generated on the (vertical) suspension are reduced and preferably minimised.

Therefore, a first aspect provides a brake module for a magnetically suspended vehicle. The brake module comprising a first magnetically active brake element coupled to a first brake magnet actuator comprised by the brake module. The first brake magnet actuator is arranged to control the first magnetically active element to provide a first magnetic brake field of a pre-determined magnitude at a first pre-determined location relative to the brake module, of which first magnetic brake field the first field lines are, in use, substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle. By providing an Eddy current brake having magnetic field components that are substantially horizontally oriented, influence of magnetic forces excited by the Eddy currents generated on the (vertical) suspension are reduced and preferably minimised.

A superconducting magnet for eddy-current braking for a high-speed train. The superconducting magnet is fixed at a bottom of a bogie of the high-speed train through a connecting mechanism, and an air gap is formed between the superconducting magnet and a top of a guide rail below the bogie. The superconducting magnet after being excited generates an eddy-current effect with the guide rail of the high-speed train, so as to generate a braking force opposite to a traveling direction of the train, thereby braking the high-speed train. A liquid-level meter is provided on the superconducting magnet to detect a position of a cooling agent liquid level in real time. The superconducting magnet withstands vibration impact through elastic tie rod assemblies when the high-speed train is under operation, showing good adaptability.

A superconducting magnet for eddy-current braking for a high-speed train. The superconducting magnet is fixed at a bottom of a bogie of the high-speed train through a connecting mechanism, and an air gap is formed between the superconducting magnet and a top of a guide rail below the bogie. The superconducting magnet after being excited generates an eddy-current effect with the guide rail of the high-speed train, so as to generate a braking force opposite to a traveling direction of the train, thereby braking the high-speed train. A liquid-level meter is provided on the superconducting magnet to detect a position of a cooling agent liquid level in real time. The superconducting magnet withstands vibration impact through elastic tie rod assemblies when the high-speed train is under operation, showing good adaptability.

Described herein are eddy current brakes and associated methods of their use, particularly configurations that have a kinematic relationship with at least two rotational degrees of freedom used to tune operation of the brake or apparatus in which the brake is located.