Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A vehicle braking system comprising: a brake structure defining an annular surface means; annular magnet support means disposed adjacent to said annular surface means; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on said magnet support means and circumferentially spaced apart thereon, the polarities of said plurality of permanent magnets alternating circumferentially and each said permanent magnet having circumferentially spaced apart end portions of substantially equal cross-sectional area joined by a middle portion of substantially smaller cross-sectional area; annular pole piece support means; a plurality of ferromagnetic pole pieces mounted on said pole piece support means and circumferentially spaced apart in positions between said annular surface means and said permanent magnets, each said pole piece having a circumferential length substantially equal to the circumferential length of a radially adjacent said permanent magnet; and adjustment means for producing relative angular movement between said magnet support means and said pole piece support means so as to change the circumferential alignment between said pole pieces and said permanent magnets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A vehicle braking system comprising: a brake structure defining an annular surface means; annular magnet support means disposed adjacent to said annular surface means; a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on said magnet support means and circumferentially spaced apart thereon, the polarities of said plurality of permanent magnets alternating circumferentially and each said permanent magnet having circumferentially spaced apart end portions of substantially equal cross-sectional area joined by a middle portion of substantially smaller cross-sectional area; annular pole piece support means; a plurality of ferromagnetic pole pieces mounted on said pole piece support means and circumferentially spaced apart in positions between said annular surface means and said permanent magnets, each said pole piece having a circumferential length substantially equal to the circumferential length of a radially adjacent said permanent magnet; and adjustment means for producing relative angular movement between said magnet support means and said pole piece support means so as to change the circumferential alignment between said pole pieces and said permanent magnets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A braking system according to claim 1 wherein said pole piece support means provides non-magnetic gap between said circumferentially spaced apart pole pieces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A braking system according to claim 2 wherein said adjustment means is adapted to provide alternately a braking condition in which each of said permanent magnets is radially aligned with one of said pole pieces and a non-braking condition in which each of said middle portions is radially aligned with one of said non-magnetic gaps between said pole pieces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A braking system according to claim 3 wherein all of said permanent magnets are of substantially equal circumferential length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A braking system according to claim 4 wherein said pole pieces and said permanent magnets are circumferentially spaced apart at a uniform pitch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A braking system according to claim 3 wherein each said middle portion defines recess means that provides said smaller cross-sectional area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A braking system according to claim 6 wherein each said recess means has a circumferential length substantially equal to the circumferential length of an adjacent said non-magnetic gap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A braking system according to claim 6 wherein each said recess means is filled with a non-magnetic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A braking system according to claim 6 wherein each said recess means faces said pole piece support means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A braking system according to claim 9 wherein each said recess means is filled with a non-magnetic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A braking system according to claim 9 including a non-magnetic member covering each of said recess means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A braking system according to claim 6 wherein each said recess means faces said magnet support means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A braking system according to claim 12 wherein each said recess means is filled with a non-magnetic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A braking system according to claim 12 including a non-magnetic member covering each of said recess means.