Induced Or Eddy Current Type Patents (Class 310/105)
  • Patent number: 5581139
    Abstract: A magnetic hysteresis clutch comprises an external rotor and a rotary magnetic inductor arranged in said external rotor so as to define a radial air gap. Rings of ferromagnetic hysteresis material are mounted in said external rotor so as to be able to undergo a reversible thermal expansion of their internal diameter leading to an increase in the radial air gap. The clutch is designed so that the heating up of the ferromagnetic material in the rings which accompanies an increase of the slip between the external rotor and the rotary magnetic inductor, produces a reversible increase in the radial air gap which is sufficient to decrease the transmitted torque. Thus it is possible to provide a magnetic hysteresis clutch in which the transmitted torque reversibly decreases when the slip increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Ipalco B.V.
    Inventor: Risto Toukola
  • Patent number: 5565723
    Abstract: A mechanical power transmission assembly which uses an electro-magnetic system with internal electrical feedback to obtain the desired torque speed characteristics at the load shaft is presented. The assembly comprises of two coaxial magnetic rotating parts having an air gap between them with one part capable of rotating over the other at different speeds. One of the rotors is connected to the driving engine and the other rotor to the load shaft. The magnetic parts house electrical windings which are connected to each other through means such as commutators or slip rings and brushes allowing direct or alternating currents, as desired, to circulate in the windings and with means for controlling the currents in them. The assembly system is capable of being used for a variety of purposes besides mechanical power transmission, such as for staffing the engine and supplying electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Pranab Dastidar
  • Patent number: 5523636
    Abstract: A mechanism for transferring torque from a motor to a gear train through a magnetic hysteresis slip clutch has a feature for disconnecting the motor from the gear train. A cup element of the clutch is carried on a shaft and can be shifted along the shaft's axis. The cup element has a magnetic member on its outer surface and an interior hysteresis layer. An electromagnet can magnetically apply force to the magnetic member to axially shift the cup element, and by so doing can shift a drive gear carried on the cup element into and out of mesh with a first gear of the gear train. In a preferred embodiment, the cup element shifts the drive gear into mesh with the gear train's first gear when the electromagnet is energized and magnetically applies force to the magnetic member, and allows magnetic force applied to the hysteresis layer by a permanent magnet element of the clutch to shift the drive gear into its unmeshed position when the electromagnet is deenergized and does not apply force to the magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin D. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5523638
    Abstract: An electric variable speed drive includes a hub member, a driven member, a magnetic coupler, and a rotary electrical connector. The hub member is mounted for rotating with the shaft of a prime mover. The driven member is rotatably supported on the hub member by bearings, and includes a mechanical output portion such as a pulley. The magnetic coupler includes an electric coil and magnetic poles which are mounted for rotating with one of the hub and the driven members. An armature is mounted to the other of the hub and driven members. An electric current is passed through the electric coil to magnetically couple the hub member to the driven member. The extent of the magnetic coupling between the hub and driven members is determined by the electric current passing through the electric coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventors: James W. Albrecht, James R. Boone, Larry D. Best
  • Patent number: 5514926
    Abstract: A method for transferring power employs moving a magnetic field past a nonmagnetic electrical conductor surface. In one instance, a magnet is mounted on a rotational axis, with the periphery of the magnet in close proximity to the object. The object may also be on a rotational axis. Rotating of the magnet causes rotation of the object. In another instance, an aluminized layer is placed on a conveyor belt. The rotating magnet is positioned closed to the conveyor belt layer to cause the conveyor belt to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Boyd B. Bushman
  • Patent number: 5513729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle transmission including an eddy current retarder, the stator of which is fastened to the housing of a gearbox by fastener members and the rotor of which is connected to the gearbox outlet shaft. According to the invention, the fastener members include at least two rigid parts, one fastened to the stator and the other to the rotor, each of the two parts including a bearing surface which corresponds to at least part of a surface of revolution centered on the gearbox outlet shaft, the two bearing surfaces being separated by a layer of an elastomeric material which is bonded to the two bearing surfaces and which allows a certain relative angular displacement of the two rigid parts, the two rigid parts being unmovable relative to one another in a direction parallel to the width of the air gap which separates the rotor and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Labavia SGE
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Courtois, Jean-Yves Disson
  • Patent number: 5490584
    Abstract: Eddy current brake equipment includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly adapted to be mounted on a transmission shaft of a vehicle. One of those assemblies includes inductor windings and the other assembly includes an armature facing the inductor windings. The inductor windings are selectively excited from an electricity source of the vehicle in response to a power feed setting. A processor is provided to estimate the braking torque that the equipment can provide as a function of the speed of rotation of the rotor assembly, of the temperature armature, and of the temperature of the inductor windings, and of at least one value for the power feed setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Labavia - S.G.E.
    Inventors: Michel Estaque, Philippe Gernot
  • Patent number: 5482146
    Abstract: The equipment comprises control device that establish a power feed setting for selectively exciting the stator windings as a function of the position of a control lever while also taking the temperature of the rotor armature into account. This temperature is evaluated in real time by a processor included in the control device. At each evaluation instant, the computation variables comprise the speed of rotation of the rotor, the power feed setting, the temperature of the armature as obtained for the preceding evaluation instant, and optionally the temperature of the stator. The invention can be used to make better use of the electrical power delivered to the stator while avoiding the need to measure armature temperature directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Labavia - SGE
    Inventors: Michel Estaque, Philippe Gernot
  • Patent number: 5477094
    Abstract: A magnetic coupler has a magnetic disc containing permanent magnets located between two electroconductive plates and separated therefrom by air gaps. The magnetic disc and electroconductive plates are mounted on coaxial or parallel-spaced input and output shafts so that rotation of the input shaft causes rotation of the output shaft by way of magnetic friction between the permanent magnets and the electroconductive plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Magna Force, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl J. Lamb
  • Patent number: 5465018
    Abstract: A drive has a hub with first and second end portions and a shoulder located thereon. An armature and sheave assembly is located on bearings on the hub first end portion. The armature forms a cavity for receiving an electromagnet, which abuts against the shoulder. Slip rings are coupled to the electromagnet by way of a fan and a slip ring shaft. The slip rings, which are adjacent to the second end of the hub, can be of a small diameter to extend brush life. In addition, the same size slip rings can be used on different sizes of the drive. Two piece brush holders are provided for each brush. Each brush holder can be disassembled into its respective pieces for cleaning. The brush holders and slip rings can be protected from the environment by a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Paul D. Boggs, III
  • Patent number: 5446327
    Abstract: A brushless shaft mounted eddy current drive has a coil mounted to bearings by way of a coil mount. The bearings are located on a hub. The coil mount is anchored to a fixed object. The pole pieces are coupled together by a nonmagnetic material to form a cavity that receives the coil. In another embodiment, a brushless drive has a coil rotatably mounted in a cavity within the pole pieces. A rotary inductive coil is mounted to the pole pieces about a stationary inductive coil. Alternating current is provided to the stationary coil to induce current into the rotary coil. In still another embodiment, an alternator is used to induce current into the rotating coil. In a still further embodiment, a brushless drive incorporates a liquid conductive rotatable coupler in the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Inventor: Paul D. Boggs, III
  • Patent number: 5437353
    Abstract: A magnetic adjustable braking device comprises a rotating housing, a magnetic conductor ring, a shaft member, a positioning device, a sliding housing and a driving device. The effective coupling area between the permanent magnetic and magnetic conductor ring can be adjusted and varied to provide variable braking torque (load) of the sporting device. This braking device has a compact size for easily applying it to different sporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Hong-Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 5434461
    Abstract: A drive has a hub with first and second end portions and a shoulder located thereon. An armature and sheave assembly is located on bearings on the hub first end portion. The armature forms a cavity for receiving an electromagnet, which abuts against the shoulder. Slip rings are coupled to the electromagnet by way of a fan and a slip ring shaft. The slip rings, which are adjacent to the second end of the hub, can be of a small diameter to extend brush life. In addition, the same size slip rings can be used on different sizes of the drive. Two piece brush holders are provided for each brush. Each brush holder can be disassembled into its respective pieces for cleaning. The brush holders and slip rings can be protected from the environment by a cover. In another embodiment, a brushless drive has a coil mounted to bearings by way of a coil mount. The bearings are located on a hub. The coil mount is anchored to a fixed object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Paul D. Boggs, III
  • Patent number: 5400876
    Abstract: A hysteresis brake including a casing having internal alternating first slots and first teeth, a pole having external alternating second slots and second teeth, a rotor including an annular portion located in spaced relationship between the casing and pole, and structure for permitting the pole and casing to be rotationally adjusted relative to each other and to lock the first slots and teeth of the casing in a rotationally adjusted position relative to the second slots and teeth of the pole to cause the brake to provide a torque output of a substantially predetermined value at a predetermined current. A method of calibrating a hysteresis brake to provide a torque of a substantially predetermined value at a predetermined current including the steps of rotating the casing and pole relative to each other to a position which provides substantially the desired torque at the predetermined current, and locking the casing and pole to each other in that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Magtrol, Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Duncan
  • Patent number: 5363912
    Abstract: An improved electromagnetic coupling apparatus is advantageously utilized in conjunction with an oil well pump assembly. The electromagnetic coupling apparatus includes rotatable inner and outer shafts. A stationary annular coil assembly is supported on the outer shaft by bearings which allow the outer shaft to rotate relative to the coil. A pole piece drum extends around the outer shaft and is effective to concentrate magnetic flux conducted from the stationary coil. A rotatable eddy current drum extends around the pole piece drum. The pole piece and eddy current drums are fixedly connected with the inner and outer shafts. The inner and outer shafts extend in the same axial direction from the pole piece and eddy current drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 5337862
    Abstract: An eddy current retarder for an automotive vehicle braking system including an annular fixed frame defining a hollow chamber is disposed internally of a brake drum, a pair of transversely adjacent parallel support rings disposed in the chamber of the fixed frame, one of the support rings being fixed to the frame and the other being rotatable to permit relative angular movement therebetween. Each support ring supports a plurality of permanent magnets circumferentially spaced apart at a given pitch and having outwardly facing alternating polarities. Ferromagnetic plates circumferentially spaced apart at the given pitch are embedded in an outer wall of the fixed frame between the magnets and the brake drum. The ferromagnetic plates have central portions thicker than transversely projecting end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5318245
    Abstract: A fishing reel has a brake apparatus disposed between a reel body and a spool shaft. The brake apparatus includes a rotary element mounted on the spool shaft to be rotatable relative thereto and to the reel body, a first brake mechanism for transmitting a braking force from the reel body to the rotary element, and a second brake mechanism for transmitting the braking force from the rotary element to the spool shaft. When the spool reaches a maximum rotating speed, rotating speed of the rotary element does not increase greatly since the first brake mechanism slips due to inertia of the rotary element. Subsequently, the rotating speed of the rotary element increases with lapse of time. As a result, the first brake mechanism effectively applies a braking force to the spool after the spool reaches the maximum speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Sato, Shinichi Morimoto, Yoshiyuki Furomoto
  • Patent number: 5303802
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake structure defining an annular surface; an annular magnet support disposed adjacent to the annular surface; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on the magnet support and circumferentially spaced apart thereon, the polarities of the plurality of permanent magnets alternating circumferentially and each permanent magnet having circumferentially spaced apart end portions of substantially equal cross-sectional area joined by a middle portion of substantially smaller cross-sectional area; an annular pole piece support; and a plurality of ferromagnetic pole pieces mounted on the pole piece support and circumferentially spaced apart in positions between the annular surface and the permanent magnets, each pole piece having a circumferential length substantially equal to the circumferential length of a radially adjacent permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5279396
    Abstract: This concerns a rotor armature of an electromagnetic retarder, comprising at least one disk (2) axially prolonged over one of its faces by a plurality of fins (9), each fin being delimited by two faces which are parallel or substantially so, and are inclined with the corresponding radii, the tips of these fins being connected together by an annular flange (11) and the assembly of the disk, of the fins and of the flange being formed all in one piece molded from a ferromagnetic material. This rotor comprises, between the disk (2) and the flange (11), between the fins (9) molded in one piece with the disk and the flange, a plurality of thermally conductive independent inserts (13) extending parallel to the axis of the rotor and whose axial end edges (15) are embedded to a small depth in respectively the two mutually opposite transverse faces of the disk and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Labavia - SGE
    Inventors: Michel Estaque, Olivier Bardon
  • Patent number: 5238095
    Abstract: Improved hysteresis brakes and clutches are disclosed wherein a secondary magnet is so positioned as to establish a substantially unidirectional magnetic field in the annual gap through which the disk or drag cup rotates in order to reduce or eliminate the undesirable phenomenon of "cogging".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Pedu
  • Patent number: 5236069
    Abstract: This invention relates to a braking device for indoor exercise bicycles. In particular, this device is composed of a rotor, multiple rubber magnets, a wheel for the transmission belt, a stator, a coil, two pivot bearings, and an axle; when all of these components are assembled in place, the transmission belt can start the wheel for the transmission belt which drives the rotor in spin, producing relative motion between the rubber magnets of the rotor and the coil of the stator. There are magnetic flux loops between the rubber magnets and the stators. Hence, as the rotor spins, the coil crossed by the magnetic force lines will induce a potential, which by shorting the two ends of the coil starts a current and produces an inverse magnetic field, thus exerting a braking force upon the rotor or, in effect, achieving the end of consuming user energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Peng, Huan-Yau
    Inventor: Yee-Hong Peng
  • Patent number: 5215169
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake disk structure defining an annular surface and having an axis; an annular magnet support assembly disposed adjacent to the annular surface in the direction of the axis; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pairs of circumferentially spaced apart magnets mounted on the magnet support and circumferentially spaced apart thereon, each pair arranged with like polarities facing the annular surface and the polarities of the pairs of permanent magnets facing the annular surface alternating circumferentially; an annular pole piece support assembly; and a plurality of ferromagnetic pole pieces mounted on the pole piece support assembly and circumferentially spaced apart in positions between the annular surface and the permanent magnets, each pole piece disposed adjacent to a pair of the permanent magnets and having a circumferential length substantially greater than the circumferential length of either of the adjacent pair of permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Ltd.
    Inventor: Tohru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5206555
    Abstract: A disk drive actuator is described including automatic eddy-current braking capability, enhanced by simple modifications of coil-mount structure, such as split damping ring and spaced-rib array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Unisys Corp.
    Inventors: Frank I. Morris, Whitney B. Kroetz
  • Patent number: 5185542
    Abstract: A unique electromagnetic brake which, when pulsed with a D.C. current, will latch and hold in either of two extreme positions; on position and off position. A continuous current is not necessary to maintain either position which eliminates power loss from a limited power supply and heat dissipation problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Electroid Company
    Inventor: Edward D. Lazorchak
  • Patent number: 5154623
    Abstract: An eddy current type brake system connected to an output shaft of a transmission of a vehicle comprises a rotor connected to the transmission shaft, a stator movable relative to the rotor and a magnet mounted on the stator. The rotor has a ferromagnetic part and a non-magnetic or feeble-magnetic part. The magnet of the stator can move into the vicinity of the ferromagnetic part of the rotor to allow an eddy current to flow in the rotor. The magnet also can move into the vicinity of the non-magnetic or feeble-magnetic part of the rotor to prevent the eddy current from reaching the rotor. Therefore, when the magnet is moved into the vicinity of the ferromagnetic part, a brake force is applied to the rotor due to the eddy current whereas when the magnet is moved into the vicinity of the non-magnetic or feeble-magnetic part, the brake force is no longer applied to the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Touru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5149998
    Abstract: A dynamic braking means for a variable speed dynamoelectric eddy current drive consists of an ac motor (4) rotationally coupled through a shaft (6) to an inductor drum assembly (13) of an eddy current coupling (3), where an annular field coil 12 generates an electromagnetic field which couples the inductor drum assembly to a pole assembly (10) which is rotationally coupled to an output shaft (16) which drives an inertial load (20). Upon command to stop and brake, a controller (30) signals a motor switch (26) to disconnect the ac motor from the ac source and connect it to a dc source, causing a braking torque to be produced. Concurrently, the controller signals a coupling switch (28) to go to an open position momentarily until the motor decelerates to approximately zero speed, whereupon the coupling switch is again closed, coupling the inertial load to the motor, thereby providing a braking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: John H. Wolcott
  • Patent number: 5145038
    Abstract: An eddy current type retarder for a vehicle comprises a hollow rotor mounted on an engine-rotated shaft, a first stator mounted on a frame of the vehicle such that it faces an inner wall of the rotor, a first group of permanent magnets mounted on the first stator at intervals in the circumferential direction of the first stator with poles of the magnets being reversed alternately in the circumferential direction of the first stator, a second stator adapted to be movable relative to the first stator and provided near the first stator such that the second stator faces the inner wall of the rotor, a second group of permanent magnets mounted on the second stator at the same intervals as the first group of permanent magnets in the circumferential direction of the second stator with poles of the magnets being reversed alternately like the first group of magnets, a magnetic-passage-forming-ring provided between the rotor and the first and second stators, the ring having ferromagnetic elements which extend over the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Tohru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5143183
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system including a brake structure defining an annular surface; an annular magnet support disposed adjacent to the annular surface; a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart pairs of circumferentially spaced apart permanent magnets mounted on the magnet support and circumferentially spaced apart thereon, each pair arranged with like polarities facing the annular surface and the polarities of the pairs of permanent magnets facing the annular surface alternating circumferentially; an annular pole piece support assembly; and a plurality of ferromagnetic pole pieces mounted on the pole piece support assembly and circumferentially spaced apart in positions between the annular surface and the permanent magnets, each pole piece disposed adjacent to a pair of the permanent magnets and having a circumferential length substantially greater than the circumferential length of either of the adjacent pair of permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Tohru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5134324
    Abstract: In a moving magnet type linear motor for automatic door of the invention, a stator fixed inside a guide rail having a substantially .andgate.-shaped cross section and a moving unit having a substantially U-shaped cross section are combined so that a height of the linear motor can be the same as that of the guide rail and the moving unit is supported slidably relative to the guide rail and fixing members of the stator has at least the both longitudinal ends or the stroke ends formed of non-magnetic conductive materials in order that the moving magnet type linear motor for automatic door produces only a low sound and is durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Sakagami, Yoshiaki Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 5125283
    Abstract: A speed governor comprises a speed increasing wheel train and an electroconductive plate confronting a magnet, the electroconductive plate integrally formed with the final stage of the speed increasing wheel train, a disk-like yoke, a cup-like yoke, abutted against the disk-like yoke, enclosing the electroconductive plate, a magnet fixed on one of the disk-like yoke and the cup-like yoke, and a plurality of inclined surfaces formed on a circumferential end surface of the cup-like yoke, each of the plurality of inclined surfaces identical with each other, each of the plurality of inclined surfaces abutted against a projection of the disk-like yoke whereby one of the disk-like yoke and the cup-like yoke can be moved in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: K.K. Sankyo Seiki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Kenji Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 5115693
    Abstract: To reduce as much as possible the extension of a vehicle transmisson due to the cantilever fitting of an electric retarder with two rotor discs and two rotor rings on the casing of the gearbox of this transmission, between the gearbox flange and the journal cross of the nearest cardan joint a single tubular insert is provided bearing the two rings externally and pierced radially with two bores forming bearings for two journals of the journal cross with interpositioning of bushings and by two apertures adapted to let pass bushings associated with the other two journals of the journal cross for pivotally mounting same on the fork of the cardan joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Labavia - S.G.E.
    Inventor: Guy Rugraff
  • Patent number: 5096024
    Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable magnetic brake and in particular to one including an aluminum fan, a magnetic conducting ring enclosing the aluminum fan, a permanent magnet disposed within the aluminum fan, a fixing seat for keeping the permanent magnet in position, a sliding seat mounted in the fixing seat and provided with a bearing, a housing, bolts provided on one side of the fixing seat and extending out of the housing, a mounting plate connected with the bolts and a wire connected with the mounting plate such that when the wire is pulled outwards, the permanent magnet will be moved outwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Inventor: Hung-Chi Wu
  • Patent number: 5072929
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rowing machine (10) having two resistance mechanisms or flywheels (44, 49). The dual resistance is applied through the movable handle (19) and movable seat (12). The handle (19) is interconnected by means of a cord (28) to the first flywheel (44), and the seat (12) is interconnected by means of a cord (29) to the second flywheel (49). The seat (12) is mounted upon an inclined track (11) and is anatomically contoured. The resistance mechanisms (44, 49) are adjusted by means of drag straps (53, 54) and an adjuster (55). The inclination of the track (11) and the position of the foot plates (23) is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Nordictrack, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen S. Peterson, Harold C. Blawd, Michael E. Heutmaker, Timothy S. Engel, Robert A. Iverson
  • Patent number: 5064029
    Abstract: An eddy current retarder includes a rotor (3) fitted over a rotating shaft (1) at one end thereof and a support ring (7) around which a plurality of permanent magnets (10) are circumferentially provided in such a manner that the polarities of any adjacent magnets become opposite to each other. The support ring (7) is provided such that it is allowed to move back and forth in the axial direction of the rotating shaft (1) from a first position where the pole surfaces of the permanent magnets (10) fully confront the rotor (3) with a predetermined gap being secured therebetween to a second position where the former fully deviate from the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignees: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Special Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Araki, Jyunichi Miyamae, Takashi Kobayashi, Akira Saito
  • Patent number: 5054587
    Abstract: The present invention provides an eddy-current brake comprising a rotator made of a ferromagnetic material and electromagnets arranged so that the rotator will intercept the magnetic flux, wherein a braking force is produced by the eddy current generated in the rotator. An Ni-Cu-Ni three-layer thin metallic cladding 30 is provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical peripheral wall portion 11 of the rotator 10, and the coils 45 of the electromanets 40 are enclosed by a magnetic pole case 46 made of a ferromagnetic material, thereby to enable development of a large braking torque. This device is suited for use as an auxiliary brake for vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Tokyo-Buhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Matsui, Isao Sanjo, Shuuichi Chiba
  • Patent number: 5051638
    Abstract: A combination air load and magnetic load device applies load to a rotor of an exercise machine. The rotor includes a fan wheel and an eddy current disc. A non-rotating magnet plate faces the eddy current disc and is spaced from it by an air gap. The non-rotating magnet plate includes a circumferential array of permanent magnets, their polarity orientations alternated. The eddy current load is variable by manual or automated control of the air gap between the eddy current disc and the non-rotating magnet plate. The user can reduce the load by increasing the air gap, or increase the load by decreasing the air gap. The rotating fan wheel generates air movement for cooling of operator and equipment, and a corresponding fan load on the rotor. The rotating eddy current disc induces an eddy current load on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Inventor: Nathan Pyles
  • Patent number: 5049768
    Abstract: Noise and vibration in a structure are reduced through application to the structure of an oscillatory torque. An electromechanical energy converter provides the oscillatory torque when the input signal to the electromechanical energy converter has a frequency and harmonics thereof required to counteract the noise and vibration desired to be attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Anders O. Andersson
  • Patent number: 5045739
    Abstract: A rotor for an eddy current type retarder produces a brake force by producing eddy current using magnets mounted on a stationary member of the retarder. The rotor is mounted on a rotatable shaft and faces the magnets. The base member is made from a material containing steel. A thin film is formed on that face of the base member which faces the magnets. The film is made from a material containing rust-preventative material. A plurality of fins are formed on the base member by casting, using a material of good castability, with the base member as an insert. The rotor can be manufactured inexpensively and has the same characteristics as a rotor made from low-carbon-made steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Touru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 5044228
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission is constructed so as to reduce as much as possible its length due to the cantilevered mounting of an electric retarder (2, 3) with two rotor discs (9a, 9b) on the casing of the gear-box (1) of this transmission. To this end, the rotor of this retarder is supported by the periphery of a gear-box flange (14) via a tubular insert (23) having at one of its ends an internal collar (24) fixed to the periphery of the flange and at its other end, an external collar (13) surrounded by the rotor rings (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Labavia - S.G.E.
    Inventor: Guy Rugraff
  • Patent number: 5044227
    Abstract: To reduce as much as possible the extension of a vehicle transmission due to the cantilevered mounting of an electric retarder (2, 3) with two rotor discs (9) on the casing of the gearbox of this transmission, between the gearbox flange (14) and the journal cross (33) of the cardan joint (15), a tubular insert (23) and a reversed cardan flange (24) are provided successively. These two parts are applied one against the other along external collars which form an annulus (13) on which the rings (10) of the two rotor crowns of the retarder are mounted axially on each side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Labavia-S.G.E.
    Inventor: Guy Rugraff
  • Patent number: 5023499
    Abstract: An eddy current type brake system adapted to a vehicle comprises a drum-like rotor mounted on an output shaft of a transmission of the vehicle, a stator provided in the rotor and being able to reciprocate in an axial direction of the rotor, a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on the stator, a brake force producing device provided between the stator and the rotor for magnetically connecting the permanent magnets of the stator with the rotor to apply brake force to the rotor, and a device for magnetically cutting the permanent magnets of the stator from the rotor to release the brake force from the rotor. When the stator is moved to a position to face the brake force producing device, the permanent magnets of the stator are connected to the rotor magnetically and the eddy current is produced in the rotor so that the rotating shaft is decelerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Isuzu Motors Limited
    Inventor: Touru Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 4982127
    Abstract: For improving the cooling of the rotor armature disk (2) of an electromagnetic retarder, connected to an outer flange (10) by a circle of arms (9) forming ventilation fins, these arms are formed by two parallel dividing walls (12) defining a narrow elongate pocket (13) whose bottom is formed by the disk and which opens axially into the free face of the flange through a slit (14) formed in this flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Labavia - S.G.E.
    Inventor: Andre Marandet
  • Patent number: 4960186
    Abstract: An elevator hoist apparatus with an outer rotor motor includes a support structure, a sheave rotatably mounted on the support structure, and an electric motor mounted on the support structure for driving the sheave. The motor includes a stator fixedly mounted on the support structure, a motor frame mounted only to the sheave for rotation therewith, and a rotor mounted to the frame in an electromagnetically inductive relationship with the stator. The support structure comprises a pair of pedestals and an elongated support member supported at its opposite ends by the pedestals for supporting the sheave and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takenobu Honda
  • Patent number: 4937483
    Abstract: An eddy-current brake comprising a rotor or rotors made of a ferromagnetic material and electromagnets, in which the rotor is so disposed that it crosses the magnetic flux and a braking force is produced by the eddy current generated in the rotor. The rotor is provided with a metallic layer formed from a non-magnetic material having a greater electroconductivity than the rotor, and the coil of each electromagnet is enclosed by a magnetic pole case made of a ferromagnetic material, so that the device is capable of developing a large braking torque and suited for use as an auxiliary brake for vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Tokyo-Buhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Matsui, Isao Sanjo, Shuuichi Chiba
  • Patent number: 4924128
    Abstract: A polyphase electric motor including a body mobile relative to a fixed body, one of these bodies carrying an exciter strip formed by a plurality of alternating coil windings aligned with each other and connected to an energizer device including a switch adapted to excite the pluralities of coils alternately, the other body comprising a row of alternating magnets and, one on each side of this row, two magnetic bars determining along the row an airgap of constant width in which the exciter strip is disposed. The permanently magnetized row is disposed parallel to the magnetization directions of the magnets constituting it between two continuous magnetic plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Aerospatiale Societe Nationale Industrielle
    Inventors: Hubert Vaillant de Guelis, Patrice Jamain, Jean-Pierre Roland
  • Patent number: 4885489
    Abstract: A permanent magnet, alternating current motor having a variable hysteresis output coupling has an annular permanent magnet rotor caused to rotate within a stator structure. This permanent magnet rotor is capable of being shifted laterally to engage or disengage a hysteresis drag cup output device. With this arrangement either an off-on output torque can be provided, or the output torque can be modulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Leslie P. Stuhr
  • Patent number: 4876471
    Abstract: A magnetic coupler employing hysteresis for coupling a driving motor to a winding and reeling machine to produce a constant torque independent of any slippage between the input and output of the coupler. The coupler includes a driving disc molded of magnetic particles in an insulating binder interfaced with a driven disc formed of a radial array of permanent magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: L'Enrouleur Electrique Moderne
    Inventor: Gilles Lacour
  • Patent number: 4864173
    Abstract: An assembly is provided formed by an electromagnetic vehicle retarder and its electric supply means, where the retarder has a rotor (2) mounted on the output shaft of the gearbox of the vehicle and a stator (13) cantilevered on the casing of this gearbox. The armature (5) of the retarder forms part of the stator and is cooled by water and its inductor (4), which forms part of the rotor, is fed electrically by an alternator whose rotor (13) and stator (14) are secured respectively to the rotor (2) and the stator (3) of the retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Labavia S.G.E.
    Inventor: Denis Even
  • Patent number: 4864172
    Abstract: An eddy current power absorption unit has a particular cooling system which alleviates overheating of the unit and its individual components. Cooling conduits comprising a plurality of meandering paths, each including axially oriented flow lines, are disposed close to the heated components to uniformly remove heat therefrom. The flow velocities at the entrance and exit of the meandering flow paths are generally equal to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Carl Schenck AG
    Inventor: Hans-Walter Dodt
  • Patent number: 4857785
    Abstract: A torque coupling device of the synchronous reluctance type having a magnetic flux generating device and concentric rotors, each rotor having a sleeve of diamagnetic material including a plurality of flux windows, the diamagnetic sleeves on the two rotors cooperating to provide a reluctance gradient within a magnetic circuit, thereby variably magnetically linking the two rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick B. McCarty