Abstract: A conductor rotor presents a pair of electroconductive rings spaced apart to receive magnet carrying shoes with permanent magnets to induce eddy currents in the rings and thereby retard rotation of the conductor rotor. The shoes are moved in and out in a controlled manner to move between a retracted brake-off position and an extended brake-on position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a homopolar machine. The homopolar machine can be used as a generator or a motor. In one embodiment, the homopolar machine has a conductive shaft which orbits around two stationary co-linear conductive shafts. There are four electrical connection means, two located on the orbiting shaft and one located on each of the stationary shafts. Each of the two electrical connections on the stationary shafts are connected to an electrical connection on the orbiting shaft. In this way, the three shafts are electrically connected. There is also an armature, which in a preferred embodiment is disc shaped, located at least one of the four electrical connections and comprises at least one of the electrical connections. Furthermore, a magnetic flux path mechanically associated with the orbiting shaft intersects the armature. In operation, the orbiting shaft moves around the two stationary shafts.