Patent ID: 7812555

Claim:
An electric powertrain for use with an engine and a traction device, comprising: a DC motor/generator operable to: receive at least a portion of a first mechanical output from the engine and produce a DC power output; and receive DC power and produce a second mechanical output; a drivetrain operable to: receive the DC power output and use the DC power output to drive the traction device; and generate DC power when the traction device is operated in a dynamic braking mode; an AC alternator operable to receive a portion of the first mechanical output and produce an AC power output; and a rectifier coupled with the AC alternator, the rectifier being operable to convert the AC power output to a DC power output combinable with the DC power output of the DC motor/generator, wherein: the engine is rated to produce a first amount of mechanical power and to receive a second amount of mechanical power, the second amount of mechanical power being less than the first amount of mechanical power; the DC motor/generator is sized based on the second amount of mechanical power; and the AC alternator is sized based on a difference between the first and second amounts of mechanical power.