Abstract: An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, which includes an injector that injects a first species of particles having the same polarity into the gas stream, wherein particle movement with the gas stream is opposed by a first electric field; an electric field generator that generates a second electric field opposing the first, such that the net electric field at a predetermined distance downstream from the injector is approximately zero; an upstream collector that collects a second species of particles having a polarity opposite the first particle species; a downstream collector that collects the charged particle; and a load coupled between the downstream collector and the upstream collector, wherein the load converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream into electric power.

Abstract: An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, which includes an injector that injects a first species of particles having the same polarity into the gas stream, wherein particle movement with the gas stream is opposed by a first electric field; an electric field generator that generates a second electric field opposing the first, such that the net electric field at a predetermined distance downstream from the injector is approximately zero; an upstream collector that collects a second species of particles having a polarity opposite the first particle species; a downstream collector that collects the charged particle; and a load coupled between the downstream collector and the upstream collector, wherein the load converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream into electric power.

Abstract: An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, which includes an injector that injects a first species of particles having the same polarity into the gas stream, wherein particle movement with the gas stream is opposed by a first electric field; an electric field generator that generates a second electric field opposing the first, such that the net electric field at a predetermined distance downstream from the injector is approximately zero; an upstream collector that collects a second species of particles having a polarity opposite the first particle species; a downstream collector that collects the charged particle; and a load coupled between the downstream collector and the upstream collector, wherein the load converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream into electric power.

Abstract: An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, which includes an injector that injects a first species of particles having the same polarity into the gas stream, wherein particle movement with the gas stream is opposed by a first electric field; an electric field generator that generates a second electric field opposing the first, such that the net electric field at a predetermined distance downstream from the injector is approximately zero; an upstream collector that collects a second species of particles having a polarity opposite the first particle species; a downstream collector that collects the charged particle; and a load coupled between the downstream collector and the upstream collector, wherein the load converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream into electric power.

Abstract: A system for energy and particle extraction from an exhaust stream containing entrained particles, the system including an ionizer, a downstream collector, and an electrical couple. The ionizer is configured to charge the particles within the exhaust stream to a first charge polarity. The downstream collector is disposed downstream from the ionizer within the exhaust stream, and is configured to collect the charged particles. The electrical couple is configured to electrically couple a load between the ionizer and the downstream collector, wherein the load converts energy of the exhaust stream into electric power.

Abstract: An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, which includes an injector that injects a first species of particles having the same polarity into the gas stream, wherein particle movement with the gas stream is opposed by a first electric field; an electric field generator that generates a second electric field opposing the first, such that the net electric field at a predetermined distance downstream from the injector is approximately zero; an upstream collector that collects a second species of particles having a polarity opposite the first particle species; a downstream collector that collects the charged particle; and a load coupled between the downstream collector and the upstream collector, wherein the load converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream into electric power.

Abstract: Electromagnetic retarder brake systems, and methods for their use, are provided utilizing specified thickness conductive layers. The specified thickness of the conductive layer in each system is determined to obtain a certain desired torque at a certain desired low rotational frequency. The specified thickness conductive layer is disposed between a winding and a rotor within each system. By utilizing a specified thickness conductive layer, torque on the rotor at low rotational frequencies is increased, thereby improving deceleration capabilities.

Abstract: An automotive eddy current retarder includes a stator mounted to a frame of the vehicle, a plurality of claw-type poles disposed along an outer perimeter of the stator, and a single coil through each pole. A rotor, mechanically coupled to a wheelend of the vehicle, includes an annular ferro-magnetic body that rotates about the stator. The rotor further includes an annular conductor disposed on the radially inner surface of the ferro-magnetic body. The annular conductor, which preferably includes end rings bridged by integrally-formed, axially-extending bars whose depth dimension exceeds their width dimension, lowers the surface resistivity of the ferro-magnetic body to thereby increase the skin effects achieved at higher rotational speeds of the rotor relative to the stator, while further increasing the maximum braking torque generated by the retarder.

Abstract: Electromagnetic retarder brake systems, and methods for their use, are provided utilizing specified thickness conductive layers. The specified thickness of the conductive layer in each system is determined to obtain a certain desired torque at a certain desired low rotational frequency. The specified thickness conductive layer is disposed between a winding and a rotor within each system. By utilizing a specified thickness conductive layer, torque on the rotor at low rotational frequencies is increased, thereby improving deceleration capabilities.

Abstract: A motor-driven feedback mechanism for a braking pedal. A pedal is linked to a shaft and a bi-directional motor capable of operating in a first and a second direction is linked to the shaft. A gearbox is driven by the bi-directional motor and the gearbox is attached to the shaft to effect rotation of the pedal. A motor controller is linked to the motor and a microprocessor capable of controlling the motor controller is linked to the motor controller. At least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the pedal and providing feedback to the microprocessor is provided.

Abstract: A motor-driven feedback mechanism for a braking pedal. A pedal is linked to a shaft and a bi-directional motor capable of operating in a first and a second direction is linked to the shaft. A gearbox is driven by the bi-directional motor and the gearbox is attached to the shaft to effect rotation of the pedal. A motor controller is linked to the motor and a microprocessor capable of controlling the motor controller is linked to the motor controller. At least one sensor for measuring a parameter of the pedal and providing feedback to the microprocessor is provided.