Patent ID: 8042336
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: B60L,F02C,F03G,Y02E,Y02T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for converting thermal energy to another energy form comprising at least one heat input and accumulator module, each heat-input and accumulator module comprising: a device transmitting a heat-input, and an accumulator, the device and accumulator being connected to one another for heat exchange via a hydraulic liquid, wherein the energy that is built up as fluid pressure in the heat input and accumulator module is converted to the other energy form by means of an energy conversion device, wherein the energy conversion device is a hydraulic motor which is connected with a gear unit of the apparatus, wherein the device transmitting a heat input is an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine being connected with the gear unit of the apparatus, wherein pressure bottles are provided for intermittent storage of pressurized hydraulic liquid, the combustion heat from the engine being essentially absorbed in the pressurized hydraulic liquid, and the pressure bottles are also provided for subsequent supply of the pressurized hydraulic liquid to the hydraulic motor for driving the hydraulic motor, wherein the hydraulic motor is adapted to act as a hydraulic pump in a hydraulic pump mode, wherein a control unit is adapted to switch the hydraulic motor into the hydraulic pump mode for storing retardation energy in the pressure bottles of the apparatus, and wherein the connection between the internal combustion engine and the accumulator is via a heat exchanger, thereby creating a combustion engine liquid circuit and a high pressure hydraulic liquid circuit.