Methodology to divert electrical energy from the eddy current magnetic resistance device of a hybrid generator used in fitness machines to a grid tie inverter

A method is developed and described to effectively divert electrical energy to the grid from fitness machines using hybrid generators with eddy current magnetic resistance. The circuit developed to perform this task consists of a buck rectifier and buck converter. The circuit is cost-effective since it does not require alterations of the fitness machine's original printed circuit board and uses the original generator and battery of the machine. Hybrid generators can be found in a large range of recent self-powered fitness machines across different manufacturers and types. Simulations were run with Simulink from MathWorks and LTspiceIV to find element values suitable for experimental testing of the circuit. Testing reveals that an efficiency of 75% is achieved in DC power conversion. With the removal of the eddy current braking device, physical resistance that the user feels is reduced and allows for the user to produce energy with ease.