Abstract: An electromagnetic brake comprising an exciting coil with a water-proofing means, disposed in an armature or a serrated inductor, a liquid cooling cavity embracing the exciting coil, and a support ring to which the exciting coil is attached. The supporting ring and the water-proofing means are made of nonconducting materials.

Abstract: A speed control arrangement for a rotatable member driven by an energy source, such as a spring, whose driving torque can vary consists of an eddy current brake comprising an eddy current rotor driven with the rotatable member and a magnetic circuit coupled to the rotor to exert a braking effect. The magnetic circuit is carried by an arm movable relative to the rotor by unwinding of the spring (or other change in torque) to alter the coupling, and the braking effect, as the torque exerted by the energy source varies.

Abstract: The performance of an eddy current brake is controlled by controlling the magnetic flux in its housing by changing the energizing voltage of the energizing coil of the brake in accordance with a signal obtained by comparing a signal representative of the desired brake performance with a signal representative of the actual magnetic flux measured in the housing at a location of substantially homogeneous flux distribution. The desired performance signal may be a signal representative of the difference between a desired rotational speed signal and the actual rotational speed signal, or it may be a signal representative of the difference between a desired torque signal and an actual torque signal. The desired performance signal may also be a signal representative of the difference between a signal obtained by comparing desired and actual rotational speed signals with a signal representative of actual torque. A Hall generator is used to measure actual flux.

Abstract: An improved hermetic clutch for driving a shaft and adapted for securement to a non-rotating supporting structure includes first and second elongate annular members, the second being concentrically disposed within the first with the shaft coupled to one of the members for rotation therewith. Means are provided for electromagnetically coupling the members for imparting rotation to the one member upon mechanical rotation of the other. The assembly also includes a "can"-shaped hermetic seal disposed between the two members and fixedly secured at its open end to the supporting structure, and means mechanically coupled to the stationary support and the seal for preloading the seal in axial tension to enhance the structural integrity thereof. Means are also provided for supporting each of the members for rotation relative to the seal, and for maintaining concentricity therebetween.

Abstract: A hysteresis brake assembly comprising a fan member, a vaned heat dissipating cover member, a pair of pole members, a pair of hub members and a disc shaped ferro-magnetic brake member. The fan propells air through holes provided in the cover and one pole member and the air is directed by vanes on a first hub member to flow (1) in part over one side of the brake disc and (2) in part through holes in the brake disc to the other side of the brake disc, where a second vaned hub directs the air over the other side of the brake disc; thereby cooling the brake disc on both sides. After cooling the brake disc, the air is forced outward from the brake assembly through escape holes provided in the cover member and one pole member.

Abstract: A nutation damper apparatus capable of damping small nutation angles in a satellite. A permanent magnet mounted on the free end of a pendulum arm oscillates back and forth parallel to an adjacent conductive plate in the form of a circular segment having a cross-sectional area that increases from the center to its lateral ends, and induces in the plate a magnetic flux which is proportional to the deviation angle of the pendulum from its rest position.

Abstract: Magnetic flux from a plurality of permanent magnets interacts between a drive disc and a driven disc to transmit selected power in infinitely variable ratios from the drive disc to the driven disc. Control means operatively connected between the drive disc and the driven disc position the discs to vary the amount of magnetic flux coupled between the discs, thereby infinitely varying the transmitted power and the speed differential between the input and the output of the transmission. The magnetic flux may be selectively coupled from the driven disc to a stationary brake means to restrict movement of the driven disc and to absorb energy from the output of the transmission.

Abstract: A magnetic clutch or drag brake for a rotary shaft which is particularly adapted for use as a web or sheet tensioning control is disclosed. The device includes a first clutch element providing a selectively variable torque which is independent of shaft rotation or slip speed and a second clutch having an independently selectively variable torque which is dependent upon slip speed. The two clutch elements are associated in one housing between input and output shafts such that their clutching or braking action is cumulatively applied to the output shaft to provide an infinitely variable output from zero to maximum shaft speeds. The first clutch element utilizes the principal or magnetic hysteresis of a driven disc of high hysteresis-loss material while the second clutch element utilizes the principle of magnetic eddy current variations caused by an adjustable flux gate which varies the magnetic coupling between a driven and fixed member.

Abstract: The drive uses a recessed wall or partition between the pole-rings of the two rotors to substantially diminish the occurrence and strength of eddy currents. The recesses may be in the form of grooves, depressions or axial bores which reduce the mass of the wall. The wall is further reinforced by non-magnetic electrically non-conductive or insulated elements of high tensile strength to compensate for the reduction in strength caused by the grooves, depressions or bores.

Abstract: The present invention provides an eddy current coupling including an input member, an output member rotatable relative to the input member and an interdigitated pole assembly attached to the output member for rotation therewith. A field coil is provided surrounding a portion of the interdigitated pole assembly and an inductor member is connected to the input member. The field coil when energized establishes a flux field which couples the pole assembly and the inductor member to thereby couple the input member to the output member. The interdigitated pole assembly includes a core portion which is surrounded by the field coil and a plurality of pole members which extend at one end thereof from said core portion and have a pole face at the opposite end thereof with the pole faces of the plurality of pole members extending in opposite directions in an interdigitated fashion. The numerical value of the total surface area of the plurality of pole faces of each of the pole members is equal to between 2.

Abstract: The invention concerns an eddy-current retarder whose stator comprises a ring of electro-magnets mounted on a transverse common support 4, each electro-magnet comprising a core surrounded by a coil of wire 2. Each coil 2 is entirely enveloped in a case of hard insulating material moulded thereon and this case is wedged angularly on support 4 by cooperation of bosses 7 moulded therewith and notches 6 or other depressions hollowed out in support 4.

Abstract: A bowl type centrifuge for separating solids and liquids from mixtures in which the rotary differential speed between the centrifuge bowl and an internal conveying scroll is established by variably augmenting the frictional torque imparted to the bowl by the mixture driven in rotation by the scroll. The scroll is directly driven in rotation by a drive motor. The mixture to be separated is in turn driven in rotation by the rotating scroll and the frictional drag between the rotating mixture and the inner surface of the bowl induces rotation of the bowl. The speed of rotation of the bowl thus induced is less than that of the scroll, thus creating a rotary speed differential which enables the scroll to convey solid particles of the mixture axially toward one end of the bowl.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for braking the rotation of a centrifuge rotor is disclosed comprising magnet means operable in a first condition wherein substantially no eddy currents are induced in a rotating rotor made of electrically conductive material by the magnetic flux of the magnet means and a second condition wherein eddy currents are induced into the rotating rotor sufficiently to slow the rotor. In one embodiment, magnet means is movable from a first position wherein substantially no eddy currents are induced in an electrically conductive portion of the rotating rotor by the magnetic flux to a second position wherein eddy currents are induced into the rotating rotor in a quantity sufficient to slow the rotor.

Abstract: A stopping member located within an air driven rotor and designed to respond to a magnetic field generated within the rotor housing, causing the completer stoppage of the rotor subsequent to its high speed centrifugation. The stopping member is comprised of a ferrous metal element positioned within the rotor for alignment with the poles of a magnet to facilitate sufficient attractive forces between the magnet and the metal element to completely stop the rotative motion of the rotor on a support cushion of air.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for braking the rotation of a centrifuge rotor is disclosed comprising magnet means operable in a first position wherein substantially no eddy currents are induced in a rotating rotor made of electrically conductive material by the magnetic flux of the magnet means and a second position wherein eddy currents are induced into the rotating rotor sufficiently to slow the rotor. In the preferred embodiment, the magnet means is movable by fluid pressure from the second position to the first position and movable by a bias force from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coupling is provided of the type including a housing, a rotor member disposed in the housing, and an inductor drum means disposed in the housing and rotatable relative to the rotor member. A coil means electromagnetically couples the rotor member and the inductor drum means. The inductor drum means includes a generally cylindrical drum portion having a substantially uniform magnetic reluctance. The drum portion defines an outer, heat-dissipating surface which includes a plurality of circumferentially extending, heat-dissipating grooves spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the drum portion. A means is included for directing cooling fluid into the housing to dissipate the heat generated in the inductor drum means, and a plurality of fluid-directing members are disposed on the cylindrical drum portion adjacent the heat-dissipating surface.

Abstract: A brake mechanism, applicable to the braking of trailer vehicles, has an electro-magnetic arrangement which is disposed between the inner ends of coaxial wheel supporting shaft units to selectively and individually control the rotation thereof. Each shaft unit has a gearing arrangement for transmitting the braking action to the wheels. Oil is circulated between the spaces of the stationary and moving parts of each shaft unit. And the production of air pressures from heat generated by the functioning of the units is eliminated.

Abstract: A magnetic particle device such as a magnetic particle brake in which the flux producing means are mounted in a stationary member, said device having improved means for dissipating heat, improved means for locating the heat sensitive members including the bearing members relatively remote from the region where most of the heat is generated, the rotatable portions of the subject devices being mounted between stationary portions thereof, and means forming an improved magnetic gap construction for such devices. The device may also include improved means for circulating a liquid coolant from an external source through stationary portions of the device and simplified relatively trouble free means for making the electrical connections to the flux producing means.

Abstract: The electromagnetic winding is made up of a plurality of insulated coils which are formed by a wound-up sheet metal strip. The strip is of a material having high magnetic permeability so that the coils eliminate the need for a magnetic core. The coils can be insulated from each other by a wound strip of insulating material such as paper or by means of a synthetic lacquer.The electromagnetic coupler can be of the synchronous or asynchronous type and can be in the form of a clutch or brake.