An electrical power generating
system is described for generating electrical energy for an
electric vehicle, via the motion of the non-drive wheels, which converts
kinetic energy to electrical energy to replenish the batteries of said vehicle. The preferred version places one or more
alternator / generator(s) at the non-driven wheels of the vehicle. Each
alternator / generator is unitarily formed with respect to a mounting plate unitarily formed with respect to said mounting plate and said vehicle's suspension, and each
alternator / generator includes a rotating field means integrated with the rotating mounting plate attached to the wheel and a stationary
stator means stationarily attached to the frame through the suspension. Conventional electrical contact means attached to between said rotating field means and said stationary
stator means for generating
electrical current for said vehicle. Since the mechanical loading on the spindle bearing assemblies has been substantially increased, the bearing assemblies of the invention are of a heavy-duty design. That is, such bearing assemblies are large enough to
handle the weight of said vehicle, including that of the alternator, as well as the weight of the wheel
assembly, including tire and brakes. As the vehicle moves forward or backward, the rotational force applied to the vehicle's wheels will rotate the integrated rotating field means relative to the stationary
stator means to produce
alternating current (AC).
Alternating current is converted to
direct current (DC) either by a
diode bridge,
transformer, or controller, for distribution to the EV's electrical
system. DC
electricity is used to recharge storage batteries, provide
electricity for the
drive motor and operate the vehicle's
electrical equipment. Thus, the
regenerative system, does not add any additional load on the
drive motor. Wheel bearing assemblies are usually used for all wheels on vehicles and the very nature of bearing assemblies are to reduce friction. By the incorporation of alternators into the wheel bearing assemblies, a vehicle can generate
electricity when moving, without additional
workload to the drive
train; since wheel bearing assemblies are a necessary and integral part of any rolling vehicle and by their very nature reduce friction and resistance.