High power ergometer with ventilated eddy-current brake - eliminates need for motor-driven fan by exploitation of natural convection when rotor is at standstill

摘要

The pedals (14) of a bicycle ergometer chain drive the hub (23) of an eddy current brake installed in a housing (13), cooled by air inducted (b,a) through forwards- and rearwards-facing ports (31,32). The rotor (24) has turbine blades (35) on one face (34). The mixt. of incoming air flows (a,b) heated by the eddy currents is driven (c) out of vents (33) in the top (29) of the housing (13). When pedalling ceases, the heat stored in the rotor (24) continues to be dissipated by the chimney effect of the vents (33). USE - By sportsmen developing power outputs of up to 1 kW.