Conventional eddy current dampers, although effective for passive vibration suppression, are incapable of providing real-time damping tunability. This inherent limitation critically compromises vibration control performance in systems subjected to multi-frequency coupled excitation conditions. To address this limitation, the current study develops an eddy current intelligent damper (ECID) incorporating three primary components: (1) a hybrid excitation magnetic field source composed of excitation windings and permanent magnets (PMs), (2) conductor disk, and (3) ball screw mechanism for converting the linear motion of the damper into the rotational motion of the conductor disk. In this configuration, damping forces are modulated via excitation current control. A two-dimensional (2-D) electromagnetic model is constructed using a combined equivalent magnetic circuit and subdomain method, capturing the PMs’ flux leakage and eddy current reaction fields. Analytical expressions for the velocity-dependent damping force and energy dissipation power are then derived, incorporating 3-D corrections to reflect practical eddy current distribution effects. Finite element method (FEM) simulations validate the damping torque predictions, yielding a mean error of 3.1% and individual errors below 8% within the 0–2000 rpm operational range. A parametric analysis then reveals the effects of critical design parameters on force‒velocity characteristics. Additionally, thermal effects on the mechanical performance of the ECID are evaluated through coupled electromagnetic‒thermal FEM simulations. Harmonic loading tests conducted under axial velocities of 0.019‒0.377 m/s reveal a maximum reduction in peak damping force of ≤4.92%, with the temperature rise of the conductor disk remaining below 87°C. Overall, the proposed ECID offers a tunable and efficient solution for intelligent vibration control in dynamic systems.
BerardengoMCigadaAGuanziroliF, et al. (2015) Modelling and control of an adaptive tuned mass damper based on shape memory alloys and eddy currents. Journal of Sound and Vibration349: 18–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2015.03.036
2.
CaiQWangJDaiK, et al. (2025) Vibration reduction of offshore wind turbines using self-powered-feasible semi-active tuned mass damper. Ocean Eng318: 120182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.120182
3.
ChenCTXuJWuX (2019) Analytical calculation of braking force of super-high speed maglev eddy current braking system In: 2019 22nd international conference on electrical machines and systems (ICEMS),Harbin, China, Aug 11-14, 2019, pp. 717–721. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEMS.2019.8921559
4.
DingYZhangYXuG (2023) Pounding mitigation design and real-time hybrid simulation for a novel viscous damper applied in bridges. Structural Control and Health Monitoring2023: 9748991. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9748991
5.
FengZDengFLiangL, et al. (2025) Bilateral-plate eddy current damping: paradigm shift for enhancing energy dissipation in vibration control. Journal of Engineering Mechanics151(5): 04025008. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/JENMDT.EMENG-7735
6.
HeYLiangHLuY, et al. (2025) Design and validation of a semi-active control system for a novel dual excitation eddy current damper. Structures74: 108537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.108537
7.
HendershotJRMillerT (1995) Design of Brushless Permanent-Magnet Motors. Oxford University PressOxford.
8.
HuangX (2024) Exploiting multi-stiffness combination inspired absorbers for simultaneous energy harvesting and vibration mitigation. Applied Energy364: 123124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123124
9.
HuangXYangB (2023) Towards novel energy shunt inspired vibration suppression techniques: principles, designs and applications. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing182: 109496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2022.109496
10.
HuangZWHuaXGChenZQ, et al. (2018) Modeling, testing, and validation of an eddy current damper for structural vibration control. Journal of Aerospace Engineering31(5): 4018063. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0000891
11.
HuangXZhangXYangB (2023b) Investigation on the tunable bi-stable clustered energy conversion inspired dynamic vibration absorbers: a theoretical study. Journal of Vibration and Control30: 1464–1478. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775463231164201
12.
HuangXHuaXChenZ (2025a) Exploiting a novel magnetoelastic tunable bi-stable energy converter for vibration energy mitigation. Nonlinear Dynamics113: 2017–2043. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-024-10337-z
13.
HuangXHuangZHuaX, et al. (2023a) Investigation on vibration mitigation methodology with synergistic friction and electromagnetic damping energy dissipation. Nonlinear Dynamics111: 18885–18910. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-023-08832-w
14.
HuangXWangBHuangZ, et al. (2025b) A theoretical model for a low-frequency two-stage hybrid vibration isolator with a nonlinear energy sink and a negative stiffness spring. Applied Mathematical Modelling142: 115948. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apm.2025.115948
15.
JiangJDongXLianJ, et al. (2024) Research on semi-active vibration reduction of offshore wind turbine structure combined eddy current theory with tuned mass dampers. Renewable Energy234: 121185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121185
16.
JiaoZWangTYanL (2017) Design of a tubular linear oscillating motor with a novel compound halbach magnet array. IEEE/ASME Trans. Mechatron22(1): 498–508. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMECH.2016.2611604
17.
JinYKouBLiL (2022) Improved analytical modelling of an axial flux double-sided eddy-current brake with slotted conductor disk. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics69(12): 13277–13286. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2021.3139236
18.
JinYLiLKouB, et al. (2019) Thermal analysis of a hybrid excitation linear eddy current brake. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics66(2): 2987–2997. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2018.2847703
19.
LiJ-YZhuSShenJ (2019) Enhance the damping density of eddy current and electromagnetic dampers. Smart Structures and Systems24(1): 15–26. https://doi.org/10.12989/SSS.2019.24.1.015
20.
LiSLiYMaoW, et al. (2022) A novel 500 kN axial eddy current damper using rack and gear mechanism: design, testing, and evaluation. Structural Control and Health Monitoring29(10): e3022. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/stc.3022
21.
KouBJinYZhangH, et al. (2015) “Nonlinear analytical modeling of hybrid-excitation double-sided linear eddy-current brake”. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics51(11): 1–4, Art. no. 8003404. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2015.2442583
22.
LiDIkagoKYinA (2023a) Structural dynamic vibration absorber using a tuned inerter eddy current damper. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing186: 109915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2022.109915
23.
LiJLiYXuJ, et al. (2023b) Calculation and characterization of braking performance for rail eddy current brake with AC excited ring-winding armature. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications59(2): 1614–1625. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2022.3227140
24.
LiuHFuXLiH (2024) Innovative hamburger-shaped eddy current damper designed for wind-induced vibration control of civil structures. Journal of Structural Engineering150(9): 04024107. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1061/JSENDH.STENG-13271
25.
LubinTRezzougA (2017) Improved 3-D analytical model for axial-flux eddy-current couplings with curvature effects. IEEE Transactions on Magnetics53(9): 1–9, Art no. 8002409. https://doi.org/10.1109/TMAG.2017.2714628
26.
MohammadiSMirsalimM (2013) Double-sided permanent-magnet radial-flux eddy-current couplers: three-dimensional analytical modelling, static and transient study, and sensitivity analysis. IET Electric Power Applications7(9): 665–679. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-epa.2013.0050
27.
MuallaIHBelevB (2002) Performance of steel frames with a new friction damper device under earthquake excitation. Engineering Structures24(3): 365–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-0296(01)00102-X
28.
RongCQuYShahAA, et al. (2023) Seismic performance of energy dissipation low reinforced concrete shear wall with shear lead dampers. Case Studies in Construction Materials19: e02276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2023.e02276
29.
RussellRLNorsworthyKH (1958) Eddy currents and wall losses in screened-rotor induction motors. Proceedings of the IEEE105(20): 163–175. https://doi.org/10.1049/pi-a.1958.0036
30.
ŞahinÖGökhan AdarNKemerliM, et al. (2021) A comparative evaluation of semi-active control algorithms for real-time seismic protection of buildings via magnetorheological fluid dampers. Journal of Building Engineering42: 102795. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2021.102795
31.
ShanJLiuJLoongCN, et al. (2021) Design and analysis of plate-type eddy-current damper with high energy-dissipation capability. Smart Structures and Systems27(5): 769–781. https://doi.org/10.12989/sss.2021.27.5.769
32.
ShiWWangLLuZ, et al. (2018) Study on adaptive-passive and semi-active eddy current tuned mass damper with variable damping. Sustainability10(1): 99, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010099
33.
SmithMC (2002) Synthesis of mechanical networks: the inerter. IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control47(10): 1648–1662. https://doi.org/10.1109/TAC.2002.803532
34.
SoongTTSpencerBF (2002) Supplemental energy dissipation: state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice. Engineering Structures24(3): 243–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-0296(01)00092-X
35.
WangJZhuJ (2018) A simple method for performance prediction of permanent magnet eddy current couplings using a new magnetic equivalent circuit model. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics65(3): 2487–2495. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2017.2739704
36.
WangLZhouYShiW (2024) Random crowd-induced vibration in footbridge and adaptive control using semi-active TMD including crowd-structure interaction. Engineering Structures306: 117839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.117839
37.
ZhangHYChenZQHuaXG, et al. (2020) Design and dynamic characterization of a large-scale eddy current damper with enhanced performance for vibration control. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing145: 106879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2020.106879
