Parametric Design in Single Disk Axial Eddy Current Brake

The main factor in axial ECB braking torque is a primary magnetic field that induces conductor to create an eddy current. The magnetic density depends on the level of magnetic source quality and the magnetic source position. Some parameters to determine permanent magnet coordinate are its distance to the rotating center or to the conductor. This paper investigated the impacts of position parameters in single disk axial ECB on braking torque. The study was conducted using FEM modeling that had been validated by experiment. The results showed that distant permanent magnet position from the rotating center produced more braking torque due to larger hand force. The maximum value of the magnetic source coordinate was found at 50 mm from the rotation center. Braking torque decreased as the air gap increased. Equal braking torque was also found at the distant radius permanent magnet in all of air gap variations. This happened because of flux magnetic effect. Thus, with proper parameter positions, a design of single disk axial eddy current brake can achieve optimum performance with less cost.