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Design, Analysis and Fabrication of Eddy Current Braking System
Design, Analysis and Fabrication of Eddy Current Braking System
Design, Analysis and Fabrication of Eddy Current Braking System
A project synopsis on
DESIGN, ANALYSIS AND FABRICATION OF EDDY CURRENT BRAKING SYSTEM
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
by
Introduction
Conventional braking system: Conversion of kinetic energy to heat energy by friction
Has its drawbacks and needs replacement
Proposed setup must be heat resistant and requires low maintenance
Principle of Operation
Eddy current: Current induced in a rotor when exposed to changing magnetic field.
Induced current in the conductor opposes the motion of the rotor by Lenz law.
PROJECT CONSIDERATION
Electromagnets are DC type that can be powered by battery and they have faster electrical
actuation with lower losses.
But we are using a strong permanent magnet to reduce the overall cost of the project and to
overcome the dis-advantage of an electromagnet.
In order to simulate a rotating wheel which rotates by the help of an IC engine with variable
loading condition, we are using a DC motor with variable rpm regulator. To simulate real life
conditions we are using a foot brake pedal that contains lever mechanism with a permanent
magnet attached at its end.
In the present scenario, most of the braking systems involve the conversion of kinetic energy to
heat energy by friction. This is accomplished by friction between two rubbing surfaces
These brakes pose several problems i.e. significant wear, fading, complex and slow actuation, lack
of fail-safe features, increased fuel consumption due to power assistance, and requirement for
anti-lock controls
So the problem statement will be to find a solution in order to overcome these problems
To design, fabricate and analyze a contactless braking system which works on the application of
eddy currents that are induced in the rotor due to the influence of varying magnetic field
The drawbacks of the conventional braking system can be overcome by eddy current braking
system.
Contactless brakes can be applied to machineries including electric vehicles, passenger trains,
bullet trains, roller coasters, hydraulic and turbo machinery, machine tools, elevators, etc.
The wide range applicability of these brakes strongly imply the effectiveness and ease of operation.
With increasing R&D on ECBs in International level, the ECB may evolve as a major alternative to
conventional friction braking system
Department of Mechanical Engineering, VVCE, Mysuru. 5
DESIGN, FABRICATION AND ANALYSIS OF EDDY CURRENT BRAKING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
1 – DC MOTOR
2 – ALUMINIUM DISC
3 – SHAFT SUPPORT STAND
4 – SHAFT
5 – PERMANENT MAGNET
6 – BRAKE PEDAL
7 – RPM REGULATOR
8 – RIGID BASE
Initially, the aluminum disk is coupled with shaft which contains a DC motor. The speed of
the disk can be varied with the help of rpm regulator. By the application of brake pedal the
permanent magnet is brought near the rotating disk with very small air gap. Then eddy
currents are induced in the rotor due to varying magnetic flux and these eddy currents
oppose the rotation of the rotor and hence within a few seconds the rotor comes to rest.
The air gap can be adjusted by using suitable clamping mechanism and since we are using a
rpm regulator, we will be able to vary different parameters of the ECB and come to suitable
results based on the analysis.
At present, the price of friction brakes for each wheel costs from Rs.8000 to Rs.12000. But the proposed model costs around
Rs.10000. We are using a permanent magnet to reduce the overall cost of the project. Electromagnet can also be used if the
budget is higher. Even though the initial investment is high, it will become economical in the long run due to very low
maintenance.
COST ESTIMATION