REGENERATIVE

BRAKING
SYSTEM


INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS REGENERATIVE BRAKING
SYSTEM
HOW IT WORKS
REGENERATIVE BRAKING AND BATERIES
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
CONCLUSION
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For three decades now, the second commandment of every automotive
engineer right behind reduce cost has been reduce fuel
consumption. The drive to use less fossil fuel has dictated the design of
engines, transmissions and control systems for decades. Now, it is
pushing the development of completely different technologies for
generating power.
In spite of all these truly marvelous improvements, the energy efficiency
of the most modern production car is still less than 20 percent. Most of
the energy used to move the vehicle at any speed over any distance is
literally thrown away as heat. About half of that wasted energy goes
through the brakes. Today, almost every manufacturer is developing
ways to recover a significant portion of that wasted energy with
regenerative braking
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Conventional braking systems convert kinetic energy
into heat, usually via friction.
This wastes a great deal of energy!
Regenerative braking systems reclaim and storing the
kinetic energy in a reusable manner
Many modern electric drive vehicles including electric
locomotives and HEVs have regenerative braking
systems

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Regenerative braking does more than simply stop the car.
Electric motors and electric generators (such as a car's
alternator) are essentially two sides of the same technology.
Both use magnetic fields, but in different configurations.
Regenerative braking systems take advantage of this duality.
Whenever the electric motor of a hybrid car begins to reverse
direction, it becomes an electric generator or dynamo. This
generated electricity is fed into a chemical storage battery and
used later to power the car at city speeds.


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The electric motor of a car becomes a generator when
the brake pedal is applied. The kinetic energy of the car
is used to generate electricity that is then used to
recharge the batteries. With this system, traditional
friction brakes must also be used to ensure that the car
slows down as much as necessary. Thus, not all of the
kinetic energy of the car can be harnessed for the
batteries because some of it is "lost" to waste heat. Some
energy is also lost to resistance as the energy travels
from the wheel and axle, through the drive train and
electric motor, and into the battery.
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Provide greater fuel economy

Greater improvement in emission reduction

Energy savvy (energy conversion will be carefully
controlled in the interest of maximum efficiency)

Provide ample drive power and power for sudden
acceleration.

Enhance the efficiency of the engine and the overall
economy of the car.




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The main disadvantage of regenerative brakes
when compared with dynamic brakes is the need
to closely match the electricity generated with
the supply. With DC supplies this requires the
voltage to be closely controlled and it is only
with the development of power electronics that it
has been possible with AC supplies where the
supply frequency must also be matched (this
mainly applies to locomotives where an AC
supply is rectified for DC motors).
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Regenerative braking is an effective method of
improving vehicle efficiency and longevity
Is already in use in many EVs
The technology to do it exists and is often well
worth it
Mostly dependent on the wider adoption of
EVs or further development of hydraulic
regeneration systems

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