Abstract
Eddy current braking systems are used in order to avoid the limit of mechanical brake. The eddy current braking system with dc-excited magnet needs the power supply and has the consequent power losses. The braking system using permanent magnets can obtain high efficiency due to no power losses. The magnetic flux density of permanent magnet Halbach array is stronger than that of conventional permanent magnet array. Further more Halbach array is of one-sided flux structure and has self-shielding property, magnetic field of one side is enhanced and the other side is weakened. Hence applying linear Halbach array to eddy current brake system is studied. Analytical method is used to analyze the electromagnetic mechanism in eddy current brake and the braking force equation is deduced. An experimental system is designed, the braking force equation is verified with the experimental result, and the result of experiment is analyzed.