The present invention relates generally to a zip line trolley with magnetic eddy current braking, and more particularly to such a trolley with a heat dissipation system for dissipating heat generated during braking.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,065,507, as one example, shows a zip line trolley configured to generate eddy currents that cause braking of the trolley. However, eddy currents generate a significant amount of heat which can cause the trolley to fail.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a trolley for movement along a tensioned support member spanning from a first location to a second location, the trolley comprising:
This arrangement provides a manner of disposing of heat generated by induced eddy currents so that the trolley with eddy current brake system can be used in applications where prolonged or more aggressive braking of the trolley is needed, such as on steep slopes.
In one arrangement, the cooling system comprises a plurality of passive heat exchanger members arranged on a face of the eddy current-carrying portion, the passive heat exchanger members have exterior surfaces arranged to be exposed to the ambient air, and a total surface area of the exterior surfaces of the passive heat exchanger members is greater than a surface area of the face of the eddy current-carrying portion.
In one arrangement, the passive heat exchanger members are arranged on an exterior face of the eddy current-carrying portion opposite to the at least one wheel.
In one arrangement, the passive heat exchanger members comprise fins projecting from the face of the eddy current-carrying portion and made from thermally conductive material.
In one such arrangement, the fins extend longitudinally of the housing.
In one arrangement, each of the fins extends along a linear path on the face of the eddy current-carrying portion.
In one arrangement, the fins are arranged in side-by-side relation on the face of the eddy current-carrying portion.
In one arrangement, the fins are arranged on the face of the eddy current-carrying portion so that each adjacent pair of the fins forms a longitudinally extending duct on the face of the eddy current-carrying portion.
In one such arrangement, the trolley includes at least one longitudinally-extending covering member spanning between free tips of the fins to close the ducts.
In one such arrangement, the at least one covering member forms an air-scoop delimiting an inlet opening outwardly of the free tips of the fins.
In one such arrangement, the at least one covering member forms a plurality of air-scoops each delimiting an inlet opening outwardly of the free tips of the fins, the air-scoops being located at longitudinally spaced positions so as to provide a leading one of the air-scoops at a front end of the proximal side plate and at least one trailing air-scoop rearwardly thereof, and the inlet opening of said at least one trailing air-scoop being larger than the inlet opening of the leading one of the air-scoops.
In another arrangement, the passive heat exchanger members comprise thermally conductive bodies each defining an enclosed interior cavity containing a phase-change fluid, each thermally conductive body having a base portion in thermal contact with the eddy current-carrying portion and a free portion arranged in thermal contact with the ambient air, such that the phase-change fluid is enabled to receive heat from the eddy current-carrying portion at the base portion of the thermally conductive body and to release the heat at the free portion.
In one such arrangement, the trolley further includes a duct member supported adjacent the thermally conductive bodies, wherein the duct member forms an air-scoop delimiting an inlet opening outwardly of the passive heat exchanger members.
Typically, the at least one wheel is freewheeling.
In one arrangement, the eddy current-carrying portion is distinct from the proximal side plate.
In one such arrangement, the eddy current-carrying portion is supported in a recess on an interior side of the proximal side plate adjacent the at least one wheel.
In one such arrangement, the proximal side plate comprises one or more openings registered with the eddy current-carrying portion and the cooling system passes therethrough to an exterior of the housing.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a trolley for movement along a tensioned support member spanning from a first location to a second location, the trolley comprising:
In one arrangement, the magnetic assemblies are slidably movable between the inactive and deployed positions radially of the at least one wheel.
In one arrangement, the inner annular portion has a larger radial spacing between inner and outer edges than a radial spacing of the outer annular portion between inner and outer edges thereof.
In one arrangement, the magnetic assemblies are carried on a support disc connected in fixed rotational relation to a respective one of the at least one wheel, wherein the magnetic assemblies are respectively slidably supported in slots in the support disc, wherein each of the magnetic assemblies comprises a magnetic device configured to generate a respective magnetic field of the magnetic assembly and a counterweight with substantially the same mass as the magnetic device, and wherein the magnetic device and counterweight are supported for sliding movement relative to the disc on opposite sides thereof.
Preferably, the magnetic assemblies are respectively biased to the inactive position by biasing members received in the slots. This may provide modulated or gradual deployment of the magnetic assemblies for braking to produce different degrees of braking (torque).
In one arrangement, the biasing members are compression springs respectively configured to resist movement of opposite ends thereof along a spring axis.
In one arrangement, the inner annular portion is integral with the proximal side plate.
In one arrangement, the outer annular portion is distinct from the proximal side plate and supported in a recess therein.
In one arrangement, the trolley further includes a cooling system thermally coupled to the outer annular portion to receive heat generated by the induced eddy currents.
In one such arrangement, the proximal side plate comprises one or more openings registered with the outer annular portion so that the cooling system is passed through the one or more openings in the proximal side plate to an exterior of the housing.
In one arrangement, the inner and outer annular portions are both electrically conductive but made from different materials.
The cooling system may have any of the earlier mentioned features.
According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a trolley for movement along a tensioned support member spanning from a first location to a second location, the trolley comprising:
In one arrangement, the cooling device projects from the proximal side plate.
In one arrangement, the passive heat exchanger members are arranged on an exterior face of the proximal side plate opposite to the at least one wheel.
In addition or alternatively thereto, the passive heat exchanger members may be arranged on an interior face of the proximal side plate adjacent to the at least one wheel.
In one arrangement, the passive heat exchanger members comprise fins projecting from the face of the proximal side plate and made from thermally conductive material.
In one such arrangement, the fins extend longitudinally of the proximal side plate substantially the full length thereof.
In another arrangement, the passive heat exchanger members comprise thermally conductive bodies each defining an enclosed interior cavity containing a phase-change fluid, each thermally conductive body having a base portion in thermal contact with the proximal side plate and a free portion arranged in thermal contact with the ambient air, such that the phase-change fluid is enabled to receive heat from the proximal side plate at the base portion of the thermally conductive body and to release the heat at the free portion.
In one such arrangement, the thermally conductive bodies are arranged in a grid-like array on the face of the proximal side plate.
Any of the above features may be combined.
The invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.
Generally speaking, a zip line trolley 10 for movement along a tensioned support member 1 spanning from a first location to a second location, such as a tensioned cable spanning between a pair of spaced-apart towers, comprises a housing 12 having a leading end 13A arranged to face forwardly, in a forward direction of travel F, and a longitudinally opposite trailing end 13B and configured to receive the tensioned support member 1 therethrough. The tensioned support member 1 extends longitudinally through the housing 12. Furthermore, the housing 12 comprises a pair of upstanding side plates 15 supported in generally-parallel laterally spaced-apart relation and arranged on either side of the tensioned support member 1, and the side plates are metallic, meaning that they are made of metallic material, which may or may not be ferrous and which may or may not be electrically conductive. The side plates 15 are supported in generally-parallel, upstanding and laterally spaced-apart relation to one another by fasteners so as to receive the cable therebetween.
Furthermore, the trolley 10 comprises at least one wheel 17 supported by the housing 12 between the side plates 15. The at least one wheel 17 is configured for rolling engagement with the tensioned support member 1 and is rotatable around a wheel axis 18 which is laterally oriented, such that each of the at least one wheel is rotatable in an upstanding plane. Typically, the at least one wheel comprises two longitudinally-spaced carrier wheels 19A arranged for rolling engagement with an upper side of the tensioned support member 1, so as to carry a load of the trolley arranged under the support member 1, and one upstop wheel 19B arranged for rolling engagement with an underside of the tensioned member 1. The plurality of wheels 19A and 19B form a pathway or passageway for the tensioned support member 1 through the housing 12, to which the tensioned support member 1 is confined. Furthermore, all of the wheels are freewheeling, that is they are passive or not driven for example by a motor, and such that the trolley moves along the cable due to gravity, the speed and acceleration of its movement being dependent on the weight of the rider and angle of declination of the cable and various other factors.
To slow rotation of the at least one wheel to brake and eventually stop the trolley, the trolley 10 includes a braking system mounted to the at least one wheel 17 and configured to induce eddy currents that act to oppose rotation of the at least one wheel.
The braking system generally comprises a plurality of magnetic devices 24 respectively configured to generate magnetic fields. The magnetic devices 24 are supported on a respective one of the at least one wheel, in this case carrier type wheel 19A, to rotate around the wheel axis 18 therewith. In other words, the magnetic devices 24 are supported in fixed rotational relation with the respective wheel, so that they rotate with the wheel. The magnetic devices 24 are disposed on the respective wheel in proximity to a proximal one of the side plates 15 such that the magnetic fields of the magnetic assemblies passes through the proximal side plate. In the illustrated arrangement, this is the side of the wheel facing laterally outwardly towards the proximal side plate 15. In other words, the magnetic devices 24 are operatively mounted on a laterally outward side of the wheel relative to the tensioned support member 1.
In the illustrated arrangements, all of the carrier wheels 19A include the magnetic devices 24.
Also, in the illustrated arrangements, and as more clearly shown in
To cooperate with the magnetic devices 24 for braking, there is provided an eddy current-carrying portion 26 on the proximal side plate 15, which is non-ferrous and electrically conductive. The eddy current-carrying portion 26 is in fixed relation with a remainder of the side plate, so as to be stationary relative to the magnet-carrying wheel. As such, when the magnets move relative thereto, eddy currents are generated in this portion.
Referring back to
The magnetic devices 24 are configured to move from the inactive position to the deployed position based on rotational speed of the respective wheel. More specifically, movement from the inactive position to the deployed position is based on change in rotational speed. As the rotational speed increases, the magnetic devices move radially outwardly. Correspondingly, eddy currents increase in magnitude, which is directly proportional to braking force applied on the wheel carrying the magnetic devices.
With reference to
To effect movement between the non-braking and braking positions relative to the wheel, each one of the magnetic devices 24 forms a respective magnetic assembly 28, for generating a respective magnetic field, which is slidably movable relative to the respective wheel between the inactive position, in which the magnetic assemblies are located at inwardly spaced locations from a circumference of the respective wheel, and the deployed position in which the magnetic assemblies are located radially outward from the inactive position. That is, the magnetic assemblies are configured for sliding movement within a rotational plane of the respective wheel between the inactive and deployed positions, between which there is spacing generally in a radial direction of the wheel. In the deployed position, the magnetic assemblies are located at the circumference of the respective wheel. In the inactive position, the magnetic assemblies 28 are closer to a shaft 30 defining the wheel axis 18 of the respective wheel than to the circumference of the wheel, and in the deployed position, the assemblies 28 are located closer to the circumference than to the shaft.
To minimize or avoid braking action in the inactive position, even if the magnetic assemblies are generating their magnetic fields in the inactive position, for example when the magnetic devices comprise permanent magnets, there is provided an inner annular portion 32 on the proximal side plate, in opposite relation to the magnetic assemblies on a proximal side of the wheel 17, which is shaped to follow or register with a path followed by the magnetic assemblies when arranged in the inactive position. The inner annular portion is arranged, for example by spacing in the lateral direction from the magnetic devices, such that substantially no eddy currents are induced therein. The inner annular portion is represented schematically as an area between the shaft and a circular stippled line in
Furthermore, the trolley 10 includes an outer annular portion on the proximal side plate, defining the eddy current-carrying portion 26, which is shaped to follow or register with a path followed by the magnetic assemblies when arranged in the deployed position. The outer annular portion is non-ferrous and electrically conductive such that eddy currents are inducible therein to oppose rotation of the respective wheel for braking thereof. The outer annular portion is represented by an area between the circular stippled line in
In the first illustrated arrangement, and with reference to
The inner annular portion 32 of the illustrated arrangement is integral with the proximal side plate 15 so as to be made of the same material. Since the side plates 15 are structural components providing structural strength to the trolley 10, they are typically made from metallic material, which is usually electrically conductive. As such, the inner annular portion 32 may also be conductive, so, when the side plate with integral inner annular portion is made from a planar sheet of metallic material, the inner annular portion 32 may be recessed from an interior face of the side plate by reducing at this location a thickness of the side plate, such that there is a greater lateral spacing of the inner annular portion from the magnetic assemblies located in a common longitudinally-extending rotational plane. Furthermore, when the inner annular portion 32 is integrally formed with the side plate, the inner edge thereof receives the shaft 30 of a corresponding one of the carrier wheels 19A.
Conversely, in the first illustrated arrangement, the outer annular portion 26 is distinct from the proximal side plate 15 and supported in a recess therein. Thus the outer annular portions 26 act as inserts relative to the corresponding side plate receiving same. The recess is formed on an interior side 34 of the plate 15 and encompasses the inner annular portion 32. The outer annular portion is made from, for example, copper, while the proximal side plate 15 is made from, for example, stainless steel or aluminum, which are electrically conductive. Even when both the outer annular portion and the side plate are electrically conductive and in physical contact with one another, eddy currents are substantially not transmitted, in other words they do not flow, from the outer annular portion to the side plate because they are not integral. This effect may be further emphasized by use of different materials.
As such, the eddy current braking system induces increasing amounts of electrical current in a non-ferrous, electrically conductive component in proximity to the magnetic devices, so that the magnetic fields thereof pass through this component, which acts to increasingly resist the rotary motion of the magnets, thus creating the brake torque on the wheels which slows the speed of the trolley on the tensioned support member.
A major effect of the eddy current braking is electrical resistance heating in current-carrying component. This heat generation can be so large as to cause component failure.
Turning back now to the magnetic assemblies 28 and with reference to
In the first illustrated arrangement, and as shown in
The magnetic assemblies 28 are respectively slidably supported in slots 42 in the support disc 36. In addition to the magnetic device 24, each magnetic assembly 28 comprises a counterweight 44 with substantially the same mass as the magnetic device 24 and supported for sliding movement relative to the disc on an opposite side of the disc to the device 24. The counterweight 44 is carried on a side of the disc 36 which is distal to the closest side plate. In each assembly, the magnetic device 24 and counterweight 44 are interconnected by a slidable base 46 which is slidably mated with the slot 42 in the disc 36.
To control a rotational speed at which the magnetic assemblies 28 move from the inactive position to the deployed position, the magnetic assemblies are respectively biased to the inactive position by biasing members 47 received in the slots 42. This may provide modulated or gradual deployment of the magnetic assemblies for braking to produce different degrees of braking (torque). In the first illustrated arrangement, the biasing members 47 are conventional compression springs respectively configured to resist movement of opposite ends thereof towards each other along a spring axis. The biasing members 47 are respectively connected at first ends to the respective magnetic assembly 28 and at opposite second ends in fixed relation to the disc 36 by a cap 49 which closes the slot 42 which is otherwise open at the wheel circumference. The biasing members 47 are linear and respectively coaxial with the slots 42 in which they are received.
Upon braking, the induced eddy currents in the outer annular, eddy current-carrying portion 26 generate heat, and as such the trolley 10 includes a cooling system 52 thermally coupled thereto to receive this heat and configured to release the same to ambient air as the trolley moves along the tensioned support member 1. Basically, the cooling system 52 is a heat exchanger operating between the eddy current-carrying portions 26 of the trolley 10 and to the air, so as to transfer heat therebetween.
With reference to
To maximize cooling effect, the passive heat exchanger members 54A, 54B have exterior surfaces 57 arranged to be exposed to the ambient air, and a total surface area of the exterior surfaces of the passive heat exchanger members is greater than a surface area of the face 56 of the eddy current-carrying portion.
The passive heat exchanger members 54 are arranged on a face 56 of the eddy current-carrying portion opposite to the corresponding carrier wheel. This face 56 is exposed to an exterior side 59 of the side plate 15 by one or more openings 60 registered with the eddy current-carrying portion 26 so that the cooling system passes therethrough to an exterior of the housing.
In the illustrated arrangements, the passive heat exchanger members 54 comprise at least one of (i) fins 54A projecting from the face of the eddy current-carrying portion 26 and made from thermally conductive material, and (ii) thermally conductive bodies 54B, such as conventional heat pipes, which are more clearly shown in
The fins 54A may be integrally formed with the outer annular portion 26.
In the case of the fins, they extend longitudinally of the housing 12, typically respectively along a linear path on the face of the eddy current-carrying portion, and they are arranged in side-by-side relation on the face of the eddy current-carrying portion. Furthermore, each fins 54A, at its location on the face 56 of the outer annular portion, extends a full distance between longitudinally opposite edges on the outer annular portion 26.
In the illustrated arrangements, the fins 54A are arranged on the face 56 of the eddy current-carrying portion so that each adjacent pair of the fins forms a longitudinally extending duct 64.
To assist in guiding or directing ambient air through the ducts 64, the trolley 10 includes at least one longitudinally-extending covering member 67 spanning between free tips 68 of the fins to close the ducts. Since the braking system is provided on both sides of the housing, there are two covering members, one for each side.
Each covering member 67 forms at least one air-scoop, such as 71A, delimiting an inlet opening 72 outwardly of the free tips 68 of the fins. Thus, ambient air from areas outward of the heat exchanger members is guided over same.
To maximize cooling effect, a plurality of the air-scoops 71A and 71 B may be provided, each delimiting an inlet opening outwardly of the free tips of the fins. The multiple air-scoops 71A, 71B are located at longitudinally spaced positions so as to provide a leading one of the air-scoops at a front end of the proximal side plate and at least one trailing air-scoop rearwardly thereof, and the inlet opening of said at least one trailing air-scoop being larger than the inlet opening of the leading one of the air-scoops.
In the case of the phase change fluid-containing thermally conductive bodies 54B, such as heat pipes, the covering member 67 forms a duct member supported adjacent the thermally conductive bodies, which is in the form of an air-scoop delimiting an inlet opening outwardly of the passive heat exchanger members.
In typical use, the trolley with freewheeling wheels 17 is under uncontrolled acceleration based on a weight of a load suspended from the trolley (i.e. a rider), providing an acceleration force due to gravity, and an angle of declination of the tensioned support member.
In use, when the trolley 10 is in translational motion, typically in the forward direction of travel F along the tensioned support member 1, magnetic devices 24, which are configured to generate magnetic fields, are caused to move relative to a housing 12 of the trolley containing wheels 17 amongst other components of the trolley. When the magnetic devices are mounted on a respective one of the wheels, this movement is in effect a revolution about an axis 18 of the wheel.
Upon revolution around the wheel axis, the magnetic devices 24 induce eddy currents in non-ferrous electrically conductive component located in proximity to the magnetic devices such that the magnetic fields thereof pass through the component. Generation of the eddy currents acts to resist or oppose the motion of the magnets, which in turn resists rotation of the wheel on which they are mounted (and which is effecting their motion).
The non-ferrous electrically conductive component is shaped to register with a revolutionary path traversed by the magnetic devices 24 in revolution around the wheel axis 18. Preferably, this path is that of an outermost position of the magnetic devices from the wheel axis 18.
The path of the outermost position of the magnetic devices therefore corresponds to a maximum braking force which may be generated for application to the wheel.
As the magnetic devices approach the outermost position from the wheel axis, based on rotational speed of the wheel, an increasing magnitude of eddy currents are induced in the eddy current-carrying component which creates a braking force of proportional magnitude.
This arrangement provides a manner of disposing of heat generated by induced eddy currents so that the trolley with eddy current brake system can be used in applications where prolonged or more aggressive braking of the trolley is needed, such as on steep slopes.
In regard to finned heat sink passive air cooling, there are provided aluminum or copper finned heat sinks having parallel fins protruding perpendicular to their base and parallel to each other and longitudinally oriented 102 could be attached to the outside or inside of the two parallel electrically conductive (at bases of the fins which are generally T-shaped), non-ferrous metal side plates 101 which are spaced apart an appropriate distance. The function of the heat sink 102 is to draw heat out of side plates 101 when the eddy current brake system is active. There could then be ducting 103 on the outward side of and around the heat sinks 102 arranged open to the front/top/bottom to force the maximum amount of air over the heat sinks when the trolley is rolling down the tensioned cable 107. The finned heat sink 102 and outer duct cover 103 arrangement would be utilized on both sides of the trolley in a mirrored orientation. The connection between the finned heat sink 102 and the conductive non-ferrous metal side plates 101 can be optimized in various ways including the utilization of thermal paste or the side plates could be made from the base the finned heat sinks themselves. There can be many arrangements of finned heat sinks 102. Upstop wheel 105 located below the cable 107 and riding near the bottom of the cable 107 prevents the trolley from moving upward and off of the cable 107. The spreader beam 106 is a transverse member hanging below the trolley that the rider attaches their body harness to, thereby connecting the rider to the trolley.
As shown in
As shown in
On each side of each wheel 104 and mounted to the wheels is a set of magnets (not shown) that rotate with the wheel. The magnets can be moved either radially or axially in order to bring them near to the side plates 101. The magnets are moved by centrifugal force of either the magnets themselves of other components arranged in a suitable way and the magnet position is dependent upon the wheel speed. One version of that magnetically induced eddy current braking system is covered in U.S. Pat. No. 10,065,507. When the eddy current braking system is activated it creates electrical current in the side plates 101 which slows the motion of the magnets to create the brake torque on the wheels which slows the speed of the trolley on the cable.
Components shown in
Components shown in
The third embodiment of the thermal cooling system for the trolley is to use heat pipes or vapor chambers to draw heat away from the plates which contain the heat generated by the eddy currents and transfer the heat to the ambient air. In this configuration the electrically conductive, non-ferrous side plates 301 that are parallel, aligned and spaced apart an appropriate distance, would have integrated or separately attached heat pipe or vapor chamber cooling module or individual heat pipes or vapor chambers 303, integrated onto the exterior surface in some suitable arrangement such as a grid-like array as shown in
The heat pipes or vapor chambers are conventional arrangements of passive heat exchangers comprising thermally conductive bodies each defining an enclosed interior cavity containing a phase-change fluid, each thermally conductive body having a base portion in thermal contact with the proximal side plate and a free portion arranged in thermal contact with the ambient air and free from thermal contact with the side plate (i.e., spaced therefrom). Thus the phase-change fluid is enabled to receive heat from the proximal side plate at the base portion of the thermally conductive body and to release the heat at the free portion. The phase-change fluid typically gravitationally resides in the base portion in liquid state, where it is positioned to receive or absorbs heat from the side plate until the phase-change fluid changes from the liquid to the gaseous state, and accordingly rises to the free portion of the heat pipe/vapor chamber that is located. The interior cavity has a lower portion at the base portion of the thermally conductive body to gravitationally collect the phase-change fluid in the liquid state, and an upper portion at the free portion of the thermally conductive body disposed at a higher elevation than the lower portion of the cavity to collect the phase-change fluid in the gaseous state as it expands and rises.
On each side of each wheel 302 and mounted to the wheels is a set of magnets (not shown) that rotate with the wheel. The magnets can be moved either radially or axially in order to bring them near to the side plates 301. The magnets are moved by centrifugal force of either the magnets themselves of other components arranged in a suitable way and the magnet position is dependent upon the wheel speed. One version of that magnetically induced eddy current braking system is covered in U.S. Pat. No. 10,065,507. When the eddy current braking system is activated it creates electrical current in the side plates 301 which slows the motion of the magnets to create the brake torque on the wheels which slows the speed of the trolley on the cable.
Thus according to the present invention there is provided a cooling device, such as one or more of devices 102 or 303, thermally coupled to the proximal side plate 101 to receive heat generated by the induced eddy currents, and which is configured to release the received heat to ambient air as the trolley 10 moves along the cable. Thus is provided a manner to dispose of that heat so that the eddy current brake system can be used on more steep slopes than it could without these solutions.
Typically, the cooling device comprises a plurality of such devices arranged on the proximal side plate 101 to increase a rate of heat dissipation.
The cooling device 102 or 303 projects from the proximal side plate 101 in which the eddy currents are induced when the magnets are in the deployed position.
The cooling device comprises a plurality of passive heat exchanger members 101 or 303 arranged on a face of the proximal side plate 101. The passive heat exchanger members have exterior surfaces arranged to be exposed to the ambient air, and a total surface area of the exterior surfaces of the passive heat exchanger members is greater than a surface area of the face of the proximate side plate.
Furthermore, the passive heat exchanger members may be arranged on an exterior face of the proximal side plate opposite to the at least one wheel. Additionally or alternatively, the passive heat exchanger members may be arranged on an interior face of the proximal side plate adjacent to the at least one wheel. When arranged on the interior face, the passive heat exchanger members are connected in the same manner to the side plates as shown and described in relation to connection on the exterior face thereof, except that the passive heat exchanger members are arranged in a manner so as not to interfere with rotation of the at least one wheel between the side plates.
The cooling devices could extend over the top of the trolley and it would make sense to have a ducted cover on top of the trolley as well.
As described hereinbefore, the present invention relates to a zip line trolley for movement along a tensioned support member, such as a cable, with an eddy current braking system including non-ferrous electrically conductive components between which there is rotatably supported at least one wheel rollingly engaged with the cable and carrying magnetic devices which induce eddy currents in the side plates to brake the respective wheel, features a cooling system thermally coupled to the side plate arranged to carry the eddy current, so as to receive heat generated by the induced eddy currents, and configured to release the received heat to ambient air as the trolley moves along the cable. According to another aspect, the braking system features magnetic assemblies supported for generally radially-directed sliding movement on at least one of the wheels and a distinct annular component, which is conducive to carrying eddy currents, and which registered with an outward-most location of the sliding magnetic assemblies.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/CA2021/051258 | 9/10/2021 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63076570 | Sep 2020 | US |