A turbine generator regenerative braking system is for an automotive or other
vehicle
having ground engaging wheels and an electrical energy storage device. The braking
system comprises an hydraulic fluid turbine generator having an electrical power
output connected to the electrical energy storage device, a plurality of hydraulic
fluid pumps, an actuation system for operatively connecting/starting pumping action,
and a hydraulic fluid circuit connecting the hydraulic pumps to the turbine generator.
In some versions of the system, a hydraulic pump, a clutch and an adjustable flow
nozzle will be dedicated to each ground engaging wheel of the vehicle. In operation,
braking is preferably initiated by the actuation of a brake master cylinder which
provides hydraulic pressure to cause each rotating wheel with its corresponding
hydraulic pump to engage. The pressurized fluid output of each pump is then fed
to the turbine through the adjustable-flow nozzle causing the flywheel, and thus
the generator, to rotate. The rotation of the turbine generator produces electrical
power which is transmitted to the vehicle's electrical energy storage device.