Patent ID: 6393840
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F01K,F02G,F22B,Y02T

Abstract:
A compact thermal energy retrieval system for an internal combustion engine cooled by an engine coolant, comprising a low boiling point working fluid circulated in a closed cycle, said closed cycle including an evaporator for heating said working fluid from a liquid state to a high pressure vapor by means of heat generated by the internal combustion engine, a turbine through which said vapor is passed to develop power, a condenser to cool and condense said vapor emanating from said turbine to a condensed fluid before being re-circulated through said evaporator, and control means for controlling the operation of said thermal energy retrieval system, said control means including a control valve mounted in a line of said thermal energy retrieval system to automatically regulate a mass flow rate of circulation of said working fluid through said evaporator in accordance with the calorific energy of the heat used to evaporate said working fluid, whereby the efficiency of said cycle can be optimized and said thermal energy retrieval system reduced in size, and wherein said control means further includes a pair of valves for selectively allowing and blocking engine coolant flow through said evaporator, said valves being operatively connected to said control means for blocking engine coolant flow to said evaporator when said pump is shut down.