Descent control device
US8272476B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 9, 2008 |
| Grant date | Sep 25, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 25, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA62B1/08
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A magnetic descent control device is disclosed. The device comprises an input shaft affixed to a rotating driven sheave acting as a drive assembly, which grips a cable guiding the descent path of a body carrying cage. The input shaft has a shoulder upon which rests a rotor. The rotor is encased within a front and back enclosure of conductive material. Disposed along at least one surface of the rotor and/or at least one of the conductors, is a series of magnets such that rotation of the rotor relative to the conductors creates relative motion between the magnets' magnetic field and the conductor inducing eddy currents in the conductor that oppose the magnetic field creating a rotational braking force. As a result, very precise and/or controllable descent may be obtained over a broad range of descent angles and/or distances with little or no mechanical wear or risk of overheating. Preferably, the sheave gripping the cable may have a circumferential groove to better improve traction and grip of the cable. A plurality of such devices may be applied to drive assemblies contacting a common cable, and a plurality of cables may support the cage, each affixed with at least one descent contr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.