Hybrid Vehicle Regenerative Brakes

A regenerative brake is a device that allows a vehicle to capture the kinetic energy normally lost to heat when friction braking.  Regenerative brakes are basically a dynamo generator.  When braking the kinetic energy created is converted to electrical energy through electromagnetic induction.  It is estimated regenerative braking in vehicles has a 31% electric generation efficiency.  The remaining energy is lost as heat. 

I a vehicle using regenerative brakes traction motors provide motion energy to generators.  These motors are hard to turn.  When the regenerative brakes are applied the resistance created from the traction brakes slow the vehicle down.  The traction breaks are connected to generators creating electricity.  Back up friction braking is usually found when heavy braking is needed.

The electricity generated when braking can then be used to create motion using an electric motor propelling a vehicle.  The electricity generated also can be used to recharge batteries and/or super capacitors which in turn can provide electricity for electric motors.  Electric railway vehicles can feed this generated electricity back into the power grid. 

Because of the surge of electricity produced from regenerative brakes power management electronics is required to control the amount of electricity transferred.

Hybrid vehicles used in stop and go traffic could take advantage of regenerative brakes using the electricity produced for later use. 

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