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.

Proposed are a synchronous braking control method and system for carriages of a train, that are related to the field of electrical control. The synchronous braking control system includes a main controller, an electric energy conversion controller, and a shunt. During actual braking, the main controller obtains a real-time speed and real-time mass of the train, and determines whether the real-time speed is greater than a set speed. If not, the train is directly braked in a mechanical friction braking mode. If yes, an exciting current of a synchronous brake in each of the carriages of the train is adjusted by adjusting an input voltage of the synchronous brake, and unit braking forces of the carriages are controlled equal by using the adjusted exciting current, thereby realizing synchronous constant deceleration braking of the carriages.

Proposed are a synchronous braking control method and system for carriages of a train, that are related to the field of electrical control. The synchronous braking control system includes a main controller, an electric energy conversion controller, and a shunt. During actual braking, the main controller obtains a real-time speed and real-time mass of the train, and determines whether the real-time speed is greater than a set speed. If not, the train is directly braked in a mechanical friction braking mode. If yes, an exciting current of a synchronous brake in each of the carriages of the train is adjusted by adjusting an input voltage of the synchronous brake, and unit braking forces of the carriages are controlled equal by using the adjusted exciting current, thereby realizing synchronous constant deceleration braking of the carriages.

A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.

A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.

Systems and methods for energy storage and management may be useful for a variety of applications, including launch devices. A system can include a direct current (DC) bus configured to operate within a predetermined range of voltages. The system can also include an array comprising a plurality of ultra-capacitors connected to the DC bus and configured to supply the DC bus with energy. The system can further include an input configured to receive energy from a power grid, wherein the power grid is configured to supply fewer than 250 amps of power. The system can additionally include an output configured to supply more than 250 amps of power. The system can also include a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the array of ultracapacitors and configured to control the DC bus to remain within the predetermined range of voltages.

Systems and methods for energy storage and management may be useful for a variety of applications, including launch devices. A system can include a direct current (DC) bus configured to operate within a predetermined range of voltages. The system can also include an array comprising a plurality of ultra-capacitors connected to the DC bus and configured to supply the DC bus with energy. The system can further include an input configured to receive energy from a power grid, wherein the power grid is configured to supply fewer than 250 amps of power. The system can additionally include an output configured to supply more than 250 amps of power. The system can also include a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the array of ultracapacitors and configured to control the DC bus to remain within the predetermined range of voltages.

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.

An assembly comprising a rotational driving mechanism of a drive shaft, and an electromagnetic retarder capable of slowing down the rotation of the drive shaft. The driving mechanism has a housing and a drive shaft extending along an axial direction. The electromagnetic retarder has a stator support fixed to the housing that has at least one relief extending along the axial direction, and in that the housing comprises at least one complementary relief cooperating with at least part of the relief of the stator support to fix the position of the stator support in relation to the housing along at least one direction contained in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.