Energy Regeneration Brake
Encyclopedia
The Energy Regeneration Brake was the name for a system designed to automatically switch an electric motor
into a generator
as the vehicle slowed. Braking energy is absorbed so that batteries can be recharged, thus increasing the range of the automobile
.
(AMC) in cooperation with Gulton Industries for an experimental battery
powered city car
. This concept car
was called Amitron
and its later iteration, the Electron
. To achieve longer battery life between charges, the Amitron would have a "regenerative braking system" to generate battery-charging power as the car is slowed.
The AMC-Gulton automobile was capable of "nondissipative speed control" by capturing the kinetic energy
that the car loses when braking; thus, energy is not wasted in heating up the brake lining
s. This energy regeneration system also results in fuel savings. It used batteries with a high "power-to-energy ratio" and that were also capable of repeated charging and discharging cycles.
used by BMW
that engages the alternator
during braking, while freewheel
ing during acceleration and limiting its horsepower draw from the car’s engine while cruising.
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
into a generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
as the vehicle slowed. Braking energy is absorbed so that batteries can be recharged, thus increasing the range of the automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
.
Design
The system was first developed in 1967 by American Motors CorporationAmerican Motors
American Motors Corporation was an American automobile company formed by the 1954 merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U.S. history.George W...
(AMC) in cooperation with Gulton Industries for an experimental battery
Battery electric vehicle
A battery electric vehicle, or BEV, is a type of electric vehicle that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and motor controllers instead of, or in addition to, internal combustion engines for propulsion.A battery-only electric vehicle or...
powered city car
City car
A city car is a small car intended for use primarily in an urban area.City cars are sold worldwide and most automotive industry manufacturers have one or two in their line-up. In North-America city cars are often referred to simply as "subcompacts" alongside the superminis. These kind of cars...
. This concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
was called Amitron
Amitron
The Amitron was an American electric concept car built in 1967 by American Motors Corporation and Gulton Industries of Metuchen, New Jersey.- Design :...
and its later iteration, the Electron
Electron (vehicle)
The Electron was an American concept automobile built in 1977 by American Motors Corporation .- Design :The experimental three-passenger commuter "city car" was designed for short-trip urban transportation. The clamshell-style roof swung back on rear-mounted pivots for entry and egress.The Electron...
. To achieve longer battery life between charges, the Amitron would have a "regenerative braking system" to generate battery-charging power as the car is slowed.
The AMC-Gulton automobile was capable of "nondissipative speed control" by capturing the kinetic energy
Kinetic energy
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion.It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes...
that the car loses when braking; thus, energy is not wasted in heating up the brake lining
Brake lining
Brake linings are the consumable surfaces in brake systems, such as drum brakes and disc brakes used in transport vehicles.-History:Brake linings were invented by Bertha Benz during her historic first long distance car trip in the world in August 1888.-Structure and function:Brake linings are...
s. This energy regeneration system also results in fuel savings. It used batteries with a high "power-to-energy ratio" and that were also capable of repeated charging and discharging cycles.
Name for electronic control
During the late 2000s, a system described as "Brake Energy Regeneration" is a misnomer for an electronic control unitElectronic control unit
In automotive electronics, electronic control unit is a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle....
used by BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
that engages the alternator
Alternator
An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.Most alternators use a rotating magnetic field but linear alternators are occasionally used...
during braking, while freewheel
Freewheel
thumb|Freewheel mechanismIn mechanical or automotive engineering, a freewheel or overrunning clutch is a device in a transmission that disengages the driveshaft from the driven shaft when the driven shaft rotates faster than the driveshaft...
ing during acceleration and limiting its horsepower draw from the car’s engine while cruising.