Patent ID: 7600391

Claim:
A vehicle characterized by regenerative braking comprising: a ground wheel; an energy conversion system; a first fluid circuit containing a first fluid, a compressor configured to pressurize the first fluid, and a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with the compressor; a second fluid circuit containing a second fluid, the second fluid circuit providing fluid communication between the energy conversion system and the first heat exchanger; said first heat exchanger being configured such that the first fluid and the second fluid are in heat transfer relationship therein; and a braking system configured to selectively transmit energy from the wheel to the compressor, and wherein the compressor is configured to use the energy to pressurize the first fluid; and wherein the second fluid circuit further includes a passage in parallel with the first heat exchanger and a valve that is operative to selectively direct the second fluid to the first heat exchanger or to the passageway; and wherein the vehicle defines a passenger space, and wherein the vehicle further comprises a fan configured to direct air into thermal communication with said first heat exchanger and into the passenger space.