Patent ID: 6037728
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B60L,B60T,Y02T

Abstract:
In a vehicle having an energy storage device and at least one turning wheel, a system for electrically braking that wheel, in response to a braking signal, comprising:tachometer means for approximately sensing the speed of the wheel;a variable transformer having a primary coil and a secondary coil and means for varying the primary to secondary coil turn ratio from a lower to higher value in response so said tachometer means sensed speed;a rectifier means connected to the secondary coil of said variable transformer to receive output of said variable transformer to produce direct current energy therefrom and feeding that direct current energy to the vehicle's energy storage device;an alternating current (AC) generator coupled to the wheel so as to generate AC output; andmeans for effectively connecting, in response to the braking signal, said generator to said primary coil of said variable transformer whereby said AC generator brakes the wheel and provides energy which is fed to said transformer means and to said rectifier means and stored in the energy storage device.