Parameter Analysis on Torque Stabilization for the Eddy Current Brake: A Developed Model, Simulation, and Sensitive Analysis

Eddy current brake (ECB) is an attractive contactless brake whereas it suffers from braking torque attenuation when the rotating speed increases. To stabilize the ECB’s torque generation property, this paper introduces the concept of anti-magneto-motive force to develop the ECB model on the fundamental of magnetic circles. In the developed model, the eddy current demagnetization and the influence of temperature which make the braking torque attenuation are clearly presented. Using the developed model of ECB, the external and internal characteristics of the ECB are simulated through programming by MATLAB. To find the sensibility of the influences on ECB’s torque generation stability, the stability indexes are defined and followed by a sensibility analysis on the internal parameters of an ECB. Finally, this paper indicates that (i) the stability of ECB’s torque generating property could be enhanced by obtaining the optimal combination of “demagnetization speed point and the nominal maximum braking torque.” (ii) The most remarkable influencing factor on the shifting the demagnetization speed point of ECB was the thickness of the air-gap. (iii) The radius of pole shoe’s cross section area and the distance from the pole shoe center to the rotation center are both the most significant influences on the nominal maximum braking torque.