Brake system for track and mover system

A track section of a linear motor system, comprising:

• a plurality of coils energizable to create a controlled magnetic field;
• a housing configured to receive a brake flag of a mover of the linear motor system;
• a sensor configured to detect a position of the brake flag of the mover;
• power and control circuitry configured to detect a power status of the linear motor system;
• a first brake pad disposed within the housing and comprising a first tapered surface, wherein the first brake pad is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein the first brake pad is configured to engage the brake flag of the mover of the linear motor system in the second position;
• a second brake pad disposed within the housing and comprising a second tapered surface, wherein the second brake pad is configured to move between a third position and a fourth position, wherein the second brake pad is configured to engage the brake flag of the mover of the linear motor system in the fourth position;
• a wedge disposed within the housing and comprising a third tapered surface configured to interface with the first tapered surface of the first brake pad and a fourth tapered surface configured to interface with the second tapered surface of the second brake pad;
• and
• an actuator configured to, in response to receiving a signal from the power and control circuitry indicative of a loss of power to the linear motor system, and receiving a signal from a sensor indicative of a position of the brake flag move the wedge between a fifth position and a sixth position in response to, and, wherein movement of the wedge from the fifth position to the sixth position causes the first brake pad to move from the first position to the second position, and causes the second brake pad to move from the third position to the fourth position.

A method, comprising:

• detecting a loss of power via power and control circuitry;
• detecting a position of a brake flag of a mover via a sensor;
• in response to detecting the loss of power and based on the position of the brake flag of the mover, operating an actuator to move a portion of the actuator between a first position and a second position;
• moving a wedge between a third position and a fourth position, wherein movement of the portion of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes the wedge to move from the third position to the fourth position;
• and
• moving a first brake pad between a fifth position and a sixth position and a second brake pad between a seventh position and an eighth position, wherein movement of the wedge from the third position to the fourth position causes the first brake pad to move from the fifth position to the sixth position and causes the second brake pad to move from the seventh position to the eighth position, wherein the first brake pad engages the brake flag of the mover in the sixth position, and wherein the second brake pad engages the brake flag in the eighth position.