Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A descent control device for controlling rotational motion of an object includes: at least one drive assembly for rotationally engaging the rotating object; a first substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; a second substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly, and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; and at least one conducting plate disposed proximate the first and second moving elements. A magnetic field may be induced by rotational movement of the first or second moving element relative to at least one conducting plate in a direction to oppose acceleration of at least one drive assembly as it rotationally engages the object.

Abstract: A single cable descent control device comprises a pair of rotors with corresponding frames of conductive material mounted on a common central axle on either side of a drive pulley. The pulley is adapted to sit above a single descent cable. An enclosure is suspended from the device. Disposed along at least one surface of each of the rotors or of the corresponding frames or both, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotors relative to the frames induces eddy currents that oppose the magnetic field and create a rotational braking force providing precise and controllable descent of the enclosure with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. In this configuration, constraints on the size of the enclosure are dispensed with, as are corresponding limitations on the positioning and angle of descent of the cable. Further, significant labor and material savings in manufacturing the enclosure may be obtained from the resulting simplicity of design.

Abstract: A descent control device for controlling rotational motion of an object includes: at least one drive assembly for rotationally engaging the rotating object; a first substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; a second substantially planar ferromagnetic moving element in rotationally locked engagement with at least one drive assembly, and comprising at least one recess formed in a surface thereof having at least one magnet fixedly disposed therein; and at least one conducting plate disposed proximate the first and second moving elements. A magnetic field may be induced by rotational movement of the first or second moving element relative to at least one conducting plate in a direction to oppose acceleration of at least one drive assembly as it rotationally engages the object.

Abstract: A movable cable loop descent system comprises a cable for forming into a loop, a receiver for attachment to a structure having a receiver pulley for engaging the cable loop, a brake assembly, having a drive pulley for being rotated by the cable loop, the brake assembly for slowing a rate of travel of the cable loop and a carriage supporting a load for attachment to the cable loop at a point and for movement between the structure and the ground. A rotor and substantially parallel conductive frame is mounted on an axle through the drive pulley. Magnets on a surface of the rotor and/or the frame induce eddy currents, as they are relatively rotated, which create a rotational braking force controlling descent of the carriage and load. The brake assembly may be removably positioned by a drive-on anchor. The cable is removable and the system may form a kit.

Abstract: A magnetic descent control device is disclosed. The device comprises an input shaft affixed to a rotating driven sheave acting as a drive assembly, which grips a cable guiding the descent path of a body carrying cage. The input shaft has a shoulder upon which rests a rotor. The rotor is encased within a front and back enclosure of conductive material. Disposed along at least one surface of the rotor and/or at least one of the conductors, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotor relative to the conductors creates relative motion between the magnets' magnetic field and the conductor inducing eddy currents in the conductor that oppose the magnetic field creating a rotational braking force. As a result, very precise and/or controllable descent may be obtained over a broad range of descent angles and/or distances with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. Preferably, the sheave gripping the cable may have a circumferential groove to better improve traction and grip of the cable.

Abstract: A single cable descent control device comprises a pair of rotors with corresponding frames of conductive material mounted on a common central axle on either side of a drive pulley. The pulley is adapted to sit above a single descent cable. An enclosure is suspended from the device. Disposed along at least one surface of each of the rotors or of the corresponding frames or both, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotors relative to the frames induces eddy currents that oppose the magnetic field and create a rotational braking force providing precise and controllable descent of the enclosure with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. In this configuration, constraints on the size of the enclosure are dispensed with, as are corresponding limitations on the positioning and angle of descent of the cable. Further, significant labor and material savings in manufacturing the enclosure may be obtained from the resulting simplicity of design.

Abstract: A magnetic descent control device is disclosed. The device comprises an input shaft affixed to a rotating driven sheave acting as a drive assembly, which grips a cable guiding the descent path of a body carrying cage. The input shaft has a shoulder upon which rests a rotor. The rotor is encased within a front and back enclosure of conductive material. Disposed along at least one surface of the rotor and/or at least one of the conductors, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotor relative to the conductors creates relative motion between the magnets' magnetic field and the conductor inducing eddy currents in the conductor that oppose the magnetic field creating a rotational braking force. As a result, very precise and/or controllable descent may be obtained over a broad range of descent angles and/or distances with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. Preferably, the sheave gripping the cable may have a circumferential groove to better improve traction and grip of the cable.