Patent ID: 7190133

Claim:
A propulsion system for a vehicle, comprising: a hybrid propulsion traction drive operable to power from an on-board power generation system, wherein the hybrid propulsion traction drive comprises: a main DC link coupled to the power generation system for receiving power generated by the power generation system; an electric motor operable to generate electrical power during dynamic braking; an energy storage unit; and a switch operable to electrically couple the energy storage unit to the electric motor to enable the energy storage unit to receive electrical power from the electric motor during dynamic braking of the electric motor from a first electric motor speed; and a direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter operable to supply electrical power from the electrical motor to the energy storage unit during dynamic braking of the electric motor from a second electric motor speed, wherein the second electric motor speed is greater than the first electric motor speed and wherein the DC/DC converter receives power from the electric motor via a diode that is configured to enable electrical power to flow from the main DC link to a dynamic brake resistor system during braking.