ELECTROMAGNETIC & EDDY CURRENT BRAKING SYSTEMS

Conference Session A9 

Paper #3174 

ELECTROMAGNETIC & EDDY CURRENT BRAKING SYSTEMS 

Andrew Sponsler (aps50@pitt.edu, Bursic 2:00), Sean Kurtz (srk53@pitt.edu, Bursic 2:00) 

Abstract — The wheels of progress spin on and on, as 

do the wheels of everyday vehicles. While the cycle of 

progress need not be stopped or slowed, the wheels of cars, 

trains, and rollercoasters must at some point cease spinning. 

No longer must they grind to a halt either; electromagnetic 

brakes can eliminate frictional limitations and improve 

efficiency, all the while employing a more powerful 

retarding system. Both electromagnetic braking systems 

(EBS) and eddy current braking systems (ECB) are 

decelerating devices employed in rotating mechanisms. 

Traditional frictional systems apply surface to surface 

contact on the rotational component. ECB function by way 

of two discs positioned laterally to the rotational component 

that impede rotation by generating an electromagnetic force 

that works counter to the initial direction of rotation, 

slowing down the component. The elimination of surface 

contact contributes to increasing energy efficiency. The 

implementation of ECB into the wheelhouses of automobiles 

instead of current friction-based systems will decrease fuel 

consumption by limiting energy wasted in unnecessary heat 

transfer. 

Key Words — Brakes, Eddy Current, Efficiency, 

Electrodynamics, Induced Charge, Magnetic Fields, 

Mechanics 

BRAKES: WHY NOW? 

For the last several years the United States has been at a 

crucial point in the auto industry. Corporations, particularly 

automakers, have failed, gone bankrupt, and been given 

stimulus packages to stay financially afloat. Today, the auto 

industry stands at a crossroads; the future of the American 

auto industry will be decided by the choices auto executives 

make and the legislation that policy-makers pass. To 

stimulate production in today’s market, either technological 

advantages or cheap production costs are needed. Keeping 

production costs down in order to make a product 

domestically is problematic. Market production costs can 

only be driven down to a certain extent because wage laws 

limit scalability of labor, and trade laws limit costs of 

material stock volume for fabrication. The American auto 

industry is now at a crossroads where outsourcing and new 

innovations in engineering intersect. The path chosen by 

American automakers will influence the future strength of 

the American economy and the global competitiveness of 

the auto industry. The above factors drive the appeal of 

outsourcing but they come at the cost of American labor and 

American jobs. Exchanging domestic economic security for 

inexpensive production characterizes our outsourcing option, 

while investments in developing technology and its 

implementation characterize the sustainable engineering 

option. Taking the engineering route towards new 

innovations, valuing American labor and economic stability 

over higher profit margins for corporations, specifically 

implementing eddy current braking systems into 

automobiles, will not only provide technological advance. It 

will also contribute to revitalizing the auto industry, creating 

an improved product manufactured in the United States. 

Mechanics 

The braking system’s goal is to slow a moving body. 

What is the advantage of a braking system that relies on 

electric current? Why not continue to implement the 

friction-based braking systems installed on the vast majority 

of automobiles since their commercialization in the early 

1900s? The answer is simple: progress calls. The Ford 

Model T’s “wheel brake and reverse band … were actuated 

via different hand levers” [1] and today’s consumer vehicles 

primarily implement disc brakes made of cast iron steel [2]. 

Friction based-systems have been the industry standard since 

the beginning of consumer vehicles. The problems that come 

with friction brakes – such as brake squeal, thermal energy 

waste, and disc cracking – can be considerably reduced by 

switching to eddy current brakes. ECB take what has 

traditionally been a mechanical process and transform it into 

an electromagnetic process. Mechanizing an electrical 

process to fit the needs of a system is the path taken by eddy 

current brake systems. 

Walking Through the Structure 

As the name implies, eddy current brake systems 

manipulate eddy currents and electromagnetism in order to 

stop a moving element passing through a magnetic field. In 

this case, the moving element will primarily be wheels 

stopping or slowing. The brake system is made up of 

opposing coils on either side of the disc wheel. When a 

current is applied to the coils, a strong electromagnetic field 

is created and a charge is induced in the disc wheel [3]. Due 

to the motion of the disc wheel and the presence of an 

induced charge, eddy currents are produced that provide the 

stopping force that leads to the vehicle slowing down. There 

is no mechanical interaction between the braking element 

and the rotating element since the only forces are those from 

induced magnetic fields. This key piece of information is 

what sets apart ECB as unique from other systems: the 

braking element never has to touch the rotating element. 

The stopping force afforded to the vehicle is then spawned 

entirely from a magnetic force induced by an electric charge. 

University of Pittsburgh 

Swanson School of Engineering April 13, 2013 

1

Andrew Sponsler 

Sean Kurtz 

Moving Electricity 

The entire basis of the circuitry and construction of 

electrically actuated braking systems is in the concept of 

electric current. The formal definition of current is: 

= (1) [4] 

where i is current, q is charge and t is time [4]. Current is the 

change in charge over a change in time. Many of the 

relevant applications of electricity, such as the discovery of 

electromagnetism and induction of charge, have their roots 

in experiments with current. 

The entire notion of the feasibility of eddy current 

braking systems is predicated on the laws of 

electrodynamics. ECB use currents and induced magnetism 

to attract a rotating surface, thus slowing down a moving 

system [3]. The system relies heavily on the use of eddy 

currents to retard any given system. 

A note regarding the formal definition of current: in the 

context of electromagnetism, it is especially important to 

distinguish the definition of current to be a change in the net 

charge through an area. For example, take a solitary rod of 

copper and imagine a cross-sectional slice anywhere along 

the rod perpendicular to the length. Many electrons pass 

through this planar intersection at any given moment. 

However, since the electrons are passing through the plane 

in both directions, there is no net change in charge in any 

direction. If the same copper rod were attached to a rod, the 

presence of an electric potential would then create a flow of 

electrons through the cross-section and the rod would be said 

to be experiencing a current. 

Eddy Currents 

When a non-conducting material passes through a 

magnetic field, reactionary currents stir up beneath the 

surface of the metal. These circulating currents, called eddy 

currents, apply themselves against the magnetic field 

creating a force that is contrary to the field [4]. This 

principle is a product of Faraday’s law of induction. 

In order to provide a clearer basis of understanding, a 

brief overview of induction should be given consideration. 

Similar to an electric field, a magnetic field can pass through 

or be contained within an object. Thus how much of the field 

is contained within an object must be defined. The quantity 

of the magnetic field enclosed by an object is called the 

magnetic flux. The magnetic flux through area A is given by 

this equation. 

Φ = ⋅ (2)[4] 

Once the amount of magnetic flux has been 

quantitatively analyzed the flux equation can be used to 

formally state the Faraday-Lenz law of induction for a closepacked 

coil of N turns, 

= − (3)[4] 

The clearest example of an eddy current being induced 

in a conducting metal may be demonstrated by dropping a 

magnet through a vertically oriented copper pipe. The 

relative motion of the magnetic field, created by the magnet, 

past the conducting metal, the copper pipe, will create eddy 

currents inside the copper pipe and will slow the fall of the 

magnet. The magnet will quickly reach terminal velocity and 

will fall at a constant rate much slower than free fall. The 

currents are stirred up beneath the surface of the metal 

passing through the magnetic field. The swirling currents 

point in every direction in actuality; however, since the 

metal is in motion through the electric field, the only force 

that is “felt” is the force opposite of the direction of motion 

[5]. This antagonist force is the basis for an eddy current 

brake system. 

Levin et al. performed a study on eddy currents using 

the example of a magnet falling through a copper pipe to 

create an accessible model demonstrating Faraday’s theory 

of electromagnetic induction [5]. 

FIGURE 1 

Diagram of elements involved in Levin’s experiment [5] 

In the study, a cylindrical magnet was dropped through 

a copper pipe of a certain radius. The study took record of 

the time the magnet took to travel through the length of the 

pipe. When a second magnet of equal mass to the first was 

attached to the first, the time required to travel through the 

pipe increased. It is assumed that a magnetically and 

electrically neutral object dropped through the copper pipe 

will have the fastest descent of all of these objects. From 

their measurements, Levin was able to calculate velocity, 

using the length of the pipe and the time of travel in the 

equation: 

= / (4)[5] 



2


Sean Kurtz 

Levin then calculated a value qm by measuring the 

magnetic field in the center of one of the flat surfaces of the 

magnet and using that value in the equation of a magnetic 

field created between two discs within parallel planes of 

separation d. 

= 

! "# ! (5)[5] 

This formula implies that the force of attraction and 

consequently the eddy currents due to the induced field are 

related to the strength of the charge on the surface of the 

magnet. Since the charge can be manipulated by applying a 

current, the strength of the eddy currents within essentially 

any conducting element can also be manipulated. 

Electromagnetic brakes work by inducing current in a 

moving conducting loop. When electricity is applied to the 

ends of the brake coils a strong magnetic field is created in 

the space between. If the metal disc spins counterclockwise 

through the field, clockwise eddy currents are induced and 

the portion of the disc within the magnetic field experiences 

a force in the direction opposite of its rotation. The disc must 

then do work in order to continue rotating and will slow 

down. As Levin’s experiment demonstrated, the strength of 

the stopping force is proportional to the strength of the 

magnetic field, which is in turn dependent on the essentially 

limitless magnitude of the applied current. Since the strength 

of the force can be manipulated by adjusting the current put 

through an electromagnet, the strength of the magnetic field, 

and thus the stopping power of the brake, can be adjusted. 

Once paired with an operable foot pedal, this system 

becomes a variable pressure brake system. 

An Important Distinction 

Simply put, the terms “electromagnetic brake system” 

and “eddy current brake system” are not necessarily 

synonymous. While certain types of electromagnetic brake 

systems may induce eddy currents in the correlating metal 

conducting element, EBS are not the same as “eddy current 

brakes.” Electromagnetic brake systems employ 

electromagnetism to force the wheel and the brake element 

together to cause friction. An electromagnetic braking 

system sends a current through a coil of wire, creating a 

magnetic field to generate the mechanical force of friction, 

which is the source of the stopping power for the vehicle [3]. 

Thus electromagnetic brakes are electromagnetic in their 

actuation but apply a torque mechanically. “Electromagnetic 

brake system” is a broad umbrella term categorizing brake 

systems that utilize electromagnetism. Eddy current brake 

systems are a subcategory of electromagnetic brake systems. 

Thus, EBS should be taken to mean the spectrum of brake 

systems actuated by electromagnetism, including, but not 

limited to, the eddy current system. When mentioned simply 

as EBS, it should be noted that in this instance the system 

referenced is one of electromagnetic actuation but that 

applies torque mechanically. 

FIGURE 2 

Basic schematic showing the discussed elements of an 

EBS system [3] 

Eddy current brakes are electromagnetic in their 

actuation as well as in their application of torque. A current 

runs through the magnetic coils generating a magnetic field 

which then induces a charge within the moving plate to 

create “eddy currents” within the plate. These eddy currents 

generate the stopping force for the system. 

Figure 2 shows an example of a brake system that 

applies torque mechanically. The coils can be seen 

positioned so that they can create an attractive force on the 

armature. The armature is connected to the brake pads, here 

labeled as friction disks, and braking power is applied to the 

wheel when the armature is forced into the wheel disc. The 

presence of a mechanical torque applicator implies that the 

diagram belongs to an EBS system. 

Applying Force without Contact 

The central reason for using EBS is to eliminate friction. 

Since friction in general wears away at a surface, there is a 

guarantee that a friction-based system will need to be fixed 

or replaced all together after some period of time. This 

assurance of breakdown implies maintenance costs. The 

implementation of a frictionless system in place of 

commonly used friction systems will lead to elongation of 

system life and better heat efficiency. Engineers must focus 

on new ways to make processes more sustainable and 

efficient, so ECB is a naturally sequential technology to 

implement as it does not involve friction-based retardation. 

Inducing eddy currents in the wheel disc to stop rotation 

creates little heat transfer. Thus, applying electromagnetic 

technology to brakes is an efficient way to improve energy 

use and reduce unnecessary heat loss. 



3


Sean Kurtz 

Analysis of the stopping force provided by induced 

eddy currents proves to lend credibility to the system as a 

practical brake solution. Thompson presents an equation for 

the force generated by eddy currents [6]. 

$ % = 2' %,)*+ , --./ 

- ! " - 

! 0 (6)[6] 

./ 

Describing this equation, Thompson says, “By 

Faraday’s law, there is an induced eddy current in the 

conducting fin, and these eddy currents generate a velocitydependent 

braking force fb, given by [equation] where v is 

relative velocity between the conductor and the permanent 

magnets, Fb,max is the maximum braking force; and vpk is a 

characteristic velocity at which the braking force peaks” [6]. 

A major drawback and maintenance cost of frictional 

systems is the effects of the sizeable amount of thermal heat 

generated from the braking process. For instance, when a 

brake pad makes contact with a rotating brake disc, thermal 

energy is transferred directly to the metal disc. The thermal 

energy transferred causes the metal disc to expand. Once the 

energy has been sufficiently transferred to the surroundings, 

the metal disc contracts to its original size. Over time, this 

constant expanding and contracting can crack the metal 

brake disc. Once this occurs, the brakes’ integrity is 

compromised. The disc cannot properly work and can fail at 

any time given the specific conditions of operation. In 

contrast, eddy current brakes diminish the occurrence of this 

safety issue. 

One alternate situation that can arise occurs under 

constant braking. In time, thermal heat can be generated, 

though, at a slow rate. This case is not a main concern, but 

should still be kept in consideration. As a result, with the 

absence of friction, safety and accountability of the braking 

system is improved. 

Power Supply Critically Analyzed 

A natural question posed of the limitations of ECB is 

that of the source of power supplication. In the majority of 

automobiles, power is supplied by the ignition of gasoline or 

diesel fuel. Onboard electronics are supplied by means of an 

alternator, a device that converts mechanical energy into 

alternating electrical energy. A brake system that is actuated 

by an electric current would naturally tax the alternator 

heavily for how often brakes are used. A greater need for 

electrical power may necessitate more powerful alternators 

or additional battery cells to fuel brake function. The greater 

electric consumption may also mean that the system can 

only be implemented on electric cars that already generate 

enough current, or can be modified to generate enough 

current, to additionally supply power to the ECB. As 

insufficient experimental research has been performed on the 

subject of implementing ECB into automobiles, it is difficult 

to establish quantitatively the power demand versus stopping 

power of ECB systems or the feasibility of powering ECB 

through traditional automobile alternators. 

COMPARISON TO FRICTIONAL 

BRAKING SYSTEMS 

Friction braking systems work by forcing direct contact 

between a moving surface and a fixed surface. The physical 

processes involved in this interaction are mechanical in 

nature. Since constant grinding occurs between the two 

surfaces, friction based brakes are not comparatively 

efficient – in terms of energy and heat application – to eddy 

current brake systems. ECB systems work through the use of 

applied electromagnetic fields without ever requiring 

physical contact between the disc wheel and the coils. The 

elimination of friction allows an increased timespan of 

utility and greater dependability. 

Advantages 

The primary advantages of applying EBS are reliability 

and efficiency. EBS will have to be replaced less frequently 

than friction based brakes, thus saving time and money in 

the long run. The applications of EBS are unlimited since 

they can be altered to meet a desired shape or size. Since 

EBS is a relatively young field, much advancement can 

easily be made through testing to find ways to make the 

product less costly. An additional factor to consider is the 

safety of EBS. The increased reliability and lack of surface 

contact leads to less chance of brake failure, overheating or 

slipping. 

The primary advantages of applying eddy current brakes 

to passenger vehicles include efficiency, safety, low 

pollution, and a low cost of maintenance. Since there is no 

direct contact between the moving body and the braking 

system, there is no deterioration of the braking system. ECB 

use electromagnetic forces to slow a moving body without 

creating much wasted energy. Even though thermal energy 

arises from the workings of the system, the waste is not 

close to traditional frictional systems that are in place today. 

Since ECB does not use friction, airflow or liquid coolants 

can easily cool the system without disturbing the braking 

process. The airflow and/or liquid coolants can absorb some 

of the thermal energy given off by the braking system, 

keeping the system stable. While in the frictional system, 

there is no room between the contact between the brake and 

the moving body causing constant wear on the system every 

time it is used. This direct contact friction also causes 

increased temperatures and is limited in functionality by the 

time of dissipation of the thermal energy. Friction-based 

braking systems function by transforming kinetic energy 

entirely into thermal energy [2]. One solution to the heat 

dissipation problem could be to use advanced engineering 

materials to construct lightweight, internally ventilated brake 

discs. Another solution would be to eliminate the direct 



4


Sean Kurtz 

contact of brake pads entirely, using ECB. The disc brake 

system has an unstable nature when the concentration of heat 

becomes extreme. This leads to safety concerns in frictional 

systems that will fail above certain temperatures, while ECB 

can overcome these concerns since the temperature of the 

system can be controlled so that it does not rise appreciably. 

Installations of ECB can be one of two types: permanent 

magnet systems or charged systems. Permanent magnet 

systems have an inherent safety mechanism. These systems 

involve a magnet, commonly a neodymium-iron-boron 

magnet [6] that permanently generates a magnetic field. In 

this case the system works the same ways as the charged 

system with electric coils; however in this system the coils 

apply a magnetic field opposite of the permanent magnet so 

that when fully powered, the coils cancel out the magnetic 

field, creating a net magnetic field of zero. This way, if the 

system loses power, the magnet will automatically engage. 

Whether the system has power or the power fails, the brake 

will still work since the magnetism is constant. Charged 

systems, on the other hand, work like friction systems in the 

sense that they require power to slow a moving body. This 

charged system requires an emergency brake that can be 

applied in the chance that the power source fails. This 

emergency brake is most commonly a traditional friction 

brake that can be initiated through the use of a mechanical 

lever to apply braking force to slow the system. While, in a 

frictional case, normal friction applied brakes and 

emergency brakes can slip. 

Since eddy current brakes do not use direct contact, 

there is minimal chance that the system can fail or slip. The 

electromagnetic force is constantly applied during braking. 

A slip in a frictional system occurs when a horizontal force 

overcomes the force of friction. Since there is no contact in 

an ECB and since a constant electromagnetic field cannot 

slip, the system eliminates the chance of a situation where 

the braking can slip unintentionally. It must be noted that 

this reduction of slipping probability in the brake system 

does not preclude intentional engineering to provide for 

safety. Anti-locking safety features may be hardwired into 

the circuitry of the system to prevent tire skid or brake lock 

at high speeds or low-traction roadways. 

Another advantage of eddy current brakes is the 

minimization of pollution. The various forms of pollution 

related to traditional frictional braking systems include 

noise, smell, and physical waste. Debris from the brake in 

the contact area, thermal energy, and sound energy all result 

from the rubbing between the braking system and the 

moving body at the point of contact. As the brake pads are 

worn down, the material has to go somewhere, so the refuse 

usually turns into soil, air, and water pollution [7]. The 

thermal energy usually translates to create a burning smell 

not found in nature, creating air or odor pollution 

[7]. Lastly, the rubbing also causes various sounds of 

grinding, which is noise pollution [7]. Eddy current braking 

resolves the noise, odor and debris issues and is a green 

alternative. Since it lacks a frictional component, little 

energy is given off in the form of thermal pollution. The 

process is quiet and clean. No excess material is produced 

from the braking process and the only byproduct is a small 

quantity of thermal energy. 

In addition to being a green alternative, eddy current 

brakes require little maintenance. Foreseeable maintenance 

required for upkeep of the system would not be significantly 

more than coolant replacement and wiring replacement, and 

only infrequently through the life of the product. The life of 

the ECB system could foreseeably exceed that of the vehicle 

on which it is installed. Both wiring and coolant are 

inexpensive products and, if only purchased intermittently 

through the life of the product, would amount to low upkeep 

costs. Since the maintenance costs are so low, the cost of 

the installation and production of eddy-current brakes can be 

recouped over an estimated seven years, according to one 

study [8]. Life-cycle costs over a nominal 25 years are 

expected to be little more than half of those for conventional 

disc brakes [8]. While traditional friction brakes need 

consistent seasonal replacement of brake pads, braking fluid, 

and rotors, the long-run economic value of non-friction 

brakes overcomes the initial cost that the brakes require in a 

few years when compared to frictional systems. 

Disadvantages 

The problems facing the application of eddy current 

brakes are simply the time and cost associated with research 

and development of a system compatible with traditional 

automobiles. Since this is largely an experimental subject on 

systems as small and as ubiquitous as the common 

automobile, developers need to find the balance point 

between cost of production and marketability while still 

maintaining the quality of the product. A further aspect that 

disadvantages EBS is the need for the development of safety 

features analogous to anti-lock brakes in friction systems. 

The primary disadvantages of applying eddy current 

brakes to modern systems are: limited research, reliability at 

low speeds, and interference with other signaling 

processes. A search for information and statistics regarding 

the brake system yields few results because little field 

research has been done. This is a massive field where only 

general systems have been designed but minimal testing has 

been done beyond applications to trains, propellers, and 

roller coasters. This leads to unknowns in the everyday use 

of ECB for the common person, specifically in cars. Almost 

no studies have been done for real designs of ECB for 

consumer cars. 

One more concern of using eddy current brakes is their 

effectiveness at low speeds. Once a body’s motion has 

decreased, ECB almost become useless at slow speeds 

because nothing is there to hold the body at rest. Once the 

brakes have slowed the body down, there still needs to be a 

contact brake to hold the body in place. Then, when you 

turn the power off to the braking system, the body will be 

put back into motion by any force willing. Even the 



5


Sean Kurtz 

permanent magnet system is unable to hold a body in 

place. ECB are excellent at slowing down high speed 

moving objects, but just have not been sufficiently 

developed to work at lower speeds. This is the main reason 

why ECB have not been used in cars, by assumption. The 

concept is promising, but there has not been enough research 

performed on the subject to find a way to apply the system 

to smaller moving bodies or bodies moving at low velocities. 

Another significant disadvantage to eddy current brakes 

is their studied interference with other signaling and electric 

parts of certain applications. Since this system relies heavily 

on magnetism, the fields in place by the brakes can alter 

other signaling processes. A study involving high-speed 

trains showed that several of the signaling grids were 

experiencing interference caused by the ECB system’s 

generated magnetic field, even while the ECB system was in 

the off position [8]. The permanent magnets involved in 

ECB may potentially pose hazards to sensitive medical 

equipment, such as pacemakers, as well as many other 

electronic devices that would be brought within a certain 

proximity to the car. This issue needs to be fixed before 

ECB can be used commercially. 

CURRENT USES OF EBS AND ECB 

Electromagnetism is not simply a way of the future for 

automobiles. The concepts may be applied to any technology 

with moving parts. Electromagnetic brakes in particular are 

already commonly used in industries such as production and 

transportation. 

• Copiers and printers 

• Packaging machinery 

• Conveyors 

• Textile machinery 

• Rollercoasters 

• High speed locomotives 

List of devices with EBS 

This list of devices represents the diversity of the utility 

of mechanically applied electricity. This list is limited and 

does not involve all systems currently in place. 

Sustainability 

A natural question posed of any aspiring technology is, 

“Is it sustainable?” The heart of this question is financial in 

nature – any investor would want to know if the advantages 

can quantifiably outweigh the disadvantages. Would an eddy 

current brake system viably afford a powerful retarding 

system, while functioning in a way so that energy or other 

material is not significantly depleted or wasted? The answer 

lies in practical examination of the torque applicator within 

the system. In ECB the torque is applied without physically 

contacting the disc wheel, applying torque solely with a 

magnetic field. Since there is no mechanical contact, there is 

no part to be worn down over time as quickly as the 

frictional system equivalent: the brake pad. The elimination 

of the brake pad in ECB limits the amount of material 

depleted by enabling the brakes. Also, the use of brake pads 

emits thermal energy from direct contact with the brake disc. 

The brake disc over time can crack from continuous braking. 

This part is another major component that needs to be 

replaced in traditional frictional systems that is eliminated 

by the use of an eddy current brake. 

The sustainable effect of switching to a system without 

brake pads and discs is clearly seen: first, less material is 

released as pollution and, second, there is no need to replace 

any brake pads and discs during the life of the system. In 

traditional friction-based brake systems, the application of 

the brake pad onto the brake disc generates the mechanical 

torque required to stop rotation. In the course of application, 

the brake pads are worn away and the material that is worn 

off must be deposited elsewhere. The dust given off of the 

brake pads is given off through the wheel well and released 

into the atmosphere. While the volume of material given off 

as dust due to a single vehicle may seem inconsequential, the 

net result of the pollution of all vehicular brake systems may 

adversely affect the environment. An advantage of 

eliminating the brake pads would be that the pollution due to 

wear and tear of the brake pads would also be eliminated. Of 

course, in a system without brake pads and discs, no brake 

pads or discs would need to be replaced. Therefore in the 

long-term the cost of maintenance is low compared to 

friction brakes since there are no parts that require as 

frequent replacement. 

Finances take a significant cut when eddy current brakes 

are implemented. The initial costs of ECB are more 

expensive than traditional systems. Though, in the long run, 

this new system pays for itself. In an estimated period of 

seven years, expenses for frictional systems surpass the ECB 

system. So, in the normal life span of a car, ECB would 

save the owner expenses on brakes past seven years. Also, 

the owner would not have to take the car in to exchange 

brake pads and to inspect brake discs every year, depending 

on the driver. The use of fuel can also be cut when installed 

in the car. ECB can use power from either the cars battery 

or another electrical power source. The application of this 

system to an electric car would be able to advance green 

technology already in place. Since ECB uses a magnetic 

field, energy is conserved compared to frictional systems 

that convert all of their energy to thermal heat. This thermal 

heat is then dissipated into the air surrounding the brake, in 

the frictional system. Thus, eddy current brakes do not give 

off excess energy. The use of eddy current brakes in cars is 

economically sound for the consumer in the long run and has 

the potential to outlive the rest of the car. This braking 

system does not develop new extra expenditures to be made 



6


Sean Kurtz 

outside the upgraded braking system, based off of the 

research done as of recent. 

Ethics 

The fundamental canons set by the National Society of 

Professional Engineers [9] strictly convey how research and 

information distribution should be handled. The information 

presented has been confirmed by research. The intent of this 

development is to only advance the field of engineering and 

mechanics as a whole. Safety and waste is at the forefront of 

all concerns and the evaluation of the inherent risks that 

come with new developments. The potential development is 

to be an improvement on prior systems that are costly in the 

long run and cause unnecessary waste and pollution. This 

field still needs more research to provide more evidence for 

reliability, but there is a strong understanding of the topic. 

A Device for the Future 

While many devices take advantage of the concept of 

electromagnetism, the majority of automobile braking 

systems do not. When considering a design for a brake 

system in a product, automobile manufacturers should 

consider the option of eddy current braking systems. ECB 

are safe, responsible, and noiseless. Frictionless braking 

systems are a viable alternative to traditional friction-based 

systems. Continued research on this subject will only further 

strengthen the case for the implementation of ECB in 

automobiles. 

REFERENCES 

[1] Alizon, Fabrice, Steven B. Shooter, and Timothy W. 

Simpson. "Henry Ford and the Model T: Lessons for Product 

Platforming and Mass Customization." Elsevier Ltd., 5 Sept. 

2009. Web. 3 Mar. 2013. 

. 

[2] Krenkel, Walter, Bernhard Heidenreich, and Ralph Renz. 

"C/C-SiC Composites for Advanced Friction Systems." 

Advanced Engineering Materials. WILEY-VCH Verlag 

GmbH, 7 May 2002. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. 

. 

[3] "Multiple Disc Electromagnetic Brake." Ogura 

Industrial Corp. Ogura Industrial Corp., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 

2013. . 

[4] Halliday, D., R. Resnick, and J. Walker. Fundamentals 

of physics. 9th. Wiley, 2011. Print. 

[5] Levin, Yan, Fernando L. Da Silveira, and Felipe B. 

Rizzato. "Electromagnetic Braking: A Simple Quantitative 

Model." Instituto De F ísica, Universidade Federal Do Rio 

Grande Do Sul, 2 Feb. 2008. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. 

. 

[6] Thompson, Marc T. "Practical Issues in the Use of 

NdFeB Permanent Magnets in Maglev, Motors, Bearings, 

and Eddy Current Brakes." Proceedings of the IEEE 97.11 

(2009): 1758-767. Print. 

[7] Gammon, Katharine. "Pollution Facts | Types of 

Pollution." LiveScience.com. TechMediaNetwork.com, 27 

Aug. 2012. Web. 05 Mar. 2013. 

. 

[8] Schykowski, Jennifer. "Eddy-current Braking: A Long 

Road to Success." Railway Gazette. DVV Media UK Ltd., 2 

June 2008. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. 

. 

[9] "NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers." NSPE Code of 

Ethics for Engineers. National Society of Professional 

Engineers, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013. 

. 

ADDITIONAL SOURCES 

Adly, A. A., and S. K. Abd-El-Hafiz. "Speed-Range-Based 

Optimization of Nonlinear Electromagnetic Braking 

Systems." IEEE Xplore. IEEE, n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013. 

. 

Albertz, D., S. Dappen, and G. Henneberger. "Calculation of 

the 3D Nonlinear Eddy Current Field in Moving Conductors 

and Its Application to Braking Systems."IEEE Xplore. IEEE, 

n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2013. 

. 

Antipova, N. A. "The use of an electromagnetic brake to 

improve the dynamic stability of a power system - Springer." 

Home - Springer. Springer, May 2012. Web. 16 Jan. 2013. 

. 

Asai, S. "Recent Development and Prospect of 

Electromagnetic Processing of Materials."IOP SCIENCE. 

Elsevier Science Ltd., n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2013. 



7


Sean Kurtz 

. 

DLA History - About the Scholarly Communications Project 

and the Digital Library and Archives, University Libraries, 

Virginia Tech. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2013. 

. 

"Ethics." ASME. ASME Standards Technology, LLC, 10 

Sept. 2007. Web. 16 Jan. 2013. 

. 

Kinkaid, N. M., and O. M. O'Reilly. "Automotive Disc 

Brake Squeal." ScienceDirect.com. Department of 

Mechanical Engineering, University of California - 

Berkeley, 9 Oct. 2003. Web. 07 Mar. 2013 

"Telma Frictionless Braking Systems." Telma. Parallax 

Inc./IMA Consulting, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2013. 

. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

We would like to thank Matt Bogolin and Khaled 

Abdelrahman for their help in the revision process. Sean 

would like to specifically thank Samantha Margaret Durham 

for her inspiration. Thanks to Antony Gnalian and Paul 

Snyder, you guys are the best. Last but not least, thank you 

to our parents. 



8

ELECTROMAGNETIC & EDDY CURRENT BRAKING SYSTEMS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?