Patent Publication Number: US-2016237964-A1

Title: Heat transfer system and method of making and using the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/116,772 filed Feb. 16, 2015. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes heat transfer systems and methods of making and using the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In a number of variations, there are components in heat transfer systems for transferring heat. 
     A Rankine cycle is a model used to predict the performance of a heat engine, in which a working fluid may be directed to a boiler or heat exchanger where it is evaporated. The evaporated fluid may then be passed through an expansion device (turbine, generator or other expander) in which work may be performed by the evaporated fluid on the expansion device, and then may be passed through a condenser where it may be re-condensed. In a final step, a pump may be used to return the liquefied working fluid to the boiler or heat exchanger. In a Rankine cycle, heat may be converted into useful work that can itself be converted into electricity. 
     An organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is named for its use of an organic, high molecular mass working fluid with a liquid-vapor phase-change, occurring at a lower temperature than the water-steam phase change. When used in a Rankine cycle system, the organic, high molecular mass working fluid may allow waste heat recovery from lower temperature sources such as biomass combustion, industrial waste heat, geothermal heat, or may be another source. An ORC system is ideally suited to recover energy from waste heat generated in a vehicle, where it is estimated that for each drop of fuel, only forty to fifty percent of the fuel energy is delivered to the power train, and the remainder is waste heat. The waste heat is typically lost to the environment via the vehicle exhaust, the radiator that cools the engine, and other pathways. 
     SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     A number of variations may include a product comprising a generator comprising a housing, at least one shaft, at least one bearing, and at least one fluid system comprising a pump, a fluid, and a fluid jacket, wherein the fluid system may be constructed and arranged for transferring heat between at least one of the bearing or the housing and the fluid. 
     A number of variations may include a product comprising a fluid circuit comprising a fluid, a condenser, a generator/expander, a pump, at least one valve, and an injection path constructed and arranged to deliver fluid from the fluid circuit into a fuel injection mixture for an engine. 
     A number of variations, may include a method comprising providing a fluid circuit comprising a fluid, at least one pump, a condenser, a turbine, a generator, a heat exchanger, and an injection path constructed and arranged to deliver fluid from the fluid circuit into a fuel injection mixture for an engine; and flowing fluid through the fluid circuit wherein fluid may be allowed into the injection path by operation of a controller constructed to allow fluid into the fluid path based on at least one variable comprising at least one of fluid temperature, fluid pressure, engine load, engine speed, engine temperature, intake temperature, intake density, or exhaust temperature. 
     Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations within the scope of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a product according to a number of variations. 
         FIG. 2  is a product according to a number of variations. 
         FIG. 3  is a method according to a number of variations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS 
     The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. 
     As used throughout the specification, the phrases “about” and “at or about” are intended to mean that the amount or value in question may be the value designated or some other value about the same. The phrase is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects according to the invention. 
     In a number of variations, ORC systems may be used to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicle engines, for example, tractor-trailers that are used for long-haul commercial trucking. In a vehicle, an ORC system may use waste heat from the engine to boil or engage in heat transfer with a working fluid. This fluid may be expanded within the thermodynamic cycle to create useful power. In a number of variations, the expansion device may be a turbine in which the working fluid performs work on a turbine wheel connected to a shaft. By connecting the shaft to a generator, the waste heat may be converted to electric power that may be stored or used by the vehicle in other ancillary systems. The working fluid may then be condensed and returned to the boiler or heat exchanger via a pump. 
     A product  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  according to a number of variations. In a number of variations, the product  10  may include a heat transfer system  11 . In a number of variations, the product  10  includes a fluid circuit  12 . In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include a working fluid  14 . In a number of variations, the working fluid  14  may include at least one of ethanol, methanol, kerosene, gasoline, diesel, propanol, butanol, water, benzene, toluene, methane, ethane, propane, butane, acetone, or liquid hydrogen. In a number of variations, the working fluid  14  may undergo a plurality of phase changes throughout the fluid circuit to produce a heat transfer from or to the fluid  14  from surrounding components to bring the fluid  14  from a high temperature state to a low temperature state or vice versa, which may be converted into useful work, which may be converted into electrical, chemical, or mechanical energy. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may be a Rankine cycle. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may be an organic Rankine cycle. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may be a Kalina cycle. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may be a part of a vehicle including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle, a spacecraft, a watercraft, an aircraft, a train, or may be another type. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include at least one heat exchanger  16  to transfer heat to or from the fluid  14  from or to an exhaust stream  108 . In a number of variations, the heat exchanger  16  may be a heat exchanger type including, but not limited to an electric heating, a double pipe, a shell and tube, a plate heat, a plate and shell, an adiabatic wheel, a plate fin heat, a pillow plate, or a fluid heat exchanger or may be another type. In a number of variations, the heat exchanger  16  may evaporate the fluid  14 . In a number of variations, the heat exchanger  16  may include a boiler which may allow the fluid to undergo a phase change from liquid to gas. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include a generator/expander  15 . In a number of variations, the generator/expander  15  may include an expander  17 . In a number of variations, the generator/expander  15  may include a generator  22 . In a number of variations, the generator/expander  15  may allow for work to be performed by the evaporated fluid  14  on the expander  17 , or to convert thermal energy into mechanical work which may be converted into electrical power by the generator  22 . In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include a condenser  18  which may condense the fluid  14  from a gas to a liquid, and may include may include at least one heat exchanger to transfer heat to or from the fluid  14  from or to an exhaust stream  108 , air intake stream  105 , or may be another stream. In a number of variations, the condenser  18  may be a heat exchanger including, but not limited to an electric heating, a double pipe, a shell and tube, a plate heat, a plate and shell, an adiabatic wheel, a plate fin heat, a pillow plate, or a fluid heat exchanger or may be another type. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include at least one pump  20  which may move the fluid  14  through the fluid circuit  12 . In a number of variations, the pump  20  may be a rotary positive displacement pump, a reciprocating positive displacement pump, a gear pump, a screw pump, a progressing cavity pump, a roots-type pump, a peristaltic pump, a plunger pump, a rope pump, a impeller pump, a hydraulic ram pump, a radial-flow pump, an axial-flow pump, a mixed-flow pump, an eductor-jet pump, a steam pump, a gravity pump, a valveless pump, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the pump  20  may pressurize the fluid  14  as a liquid or a gas. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include a high pressure pump  20 A, a low pressure pump  20 B, or both. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include a high pressure pump  20 A, a low pressure pump  20 B, or both. In a number of variations, the pump  20  may include either the high pressure pump  20 A, or the low pressure pump  20 B. In a number of variations, the fluid  14  may be an organic, high molecular mass working fluid with a liquid-vapor phase-change that may occur at a low temperature. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may allow for waste heat recovery from other sources in contact with the fluid  14 , such as, but not limited to, exothermal processes using combustion heat, industrial waste heat, geothermal heat, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may recover energy from waste heat in a vehicle from areas including, but not limited to, a vehicle exhaust, a radiator, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the expander  17  may include a turbine, expander, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include an injection path  78 , which may be constructed and arranged to deliver fluid  14  from the fluid circuit  12  into a fuel injection mixture for an engine  44 . In a number of variations, the engine  44  may be an internal or external combustion engine including, but not limited to, compression or spark ignited engines. In a number of variations, the engine  44  may be an engine  44  of a vehicle. In a number of variations, the engine  44  may include an engine head  102  and an engine block  104 . In a number of variations, input air  105  may be brought into the engine  44  from the environment and put through a charge air cooler  106  then put into the engine through an intake manifold  107 . In a number of variations, the air may mix with a fuel to form a fuel injection mixture inlet  109 . In a number of variations, the air/fuel mix may be optimized to allow for maximum efficient engine  44  conditions including, but not limited to, reduced cooler intake charge, increased fuel injection mixture combustibility, and reduced emissions. In a number of variations, the fluid  14  in the injection path  78  may be added to the fuel injection mixture to further optimize the efficiency of the engine  44 . In a number of variations, this may increase fuel economy and reduce engine  44  emissions. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may also result in increased engine  44  power, reduced fuel consumption, and lower exhaust emissions. In a number of variations, the system may allow for increased packaging flexibility and minimal incremental cost of installation. In a number of variations, the injection path  78  may include at least one injector  80  for injection of the fluid  14  into the fuel injection mixture for an engine  44 . In a number of variations, the injector  80  may be located along, adjacent to, in, or near the engine intake manifold  107 . In a number of variations, the injector  80  may be located along, adjacent to, in or near a different location of the fuel injection mixture inlet  109  for the engine  44 . In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include a valve  50  for controlling how fluid  14  leaves the fluid circuit  12  and enters the injection path  78 . In a number of variations, the valve  50  may be controlled by a controller  52  to control the amount of fluid into the injection path  78 . In a number of variations, the valve  50  may be at least one of a ball valve, a butterfly valve, a ceramic disc valve, a check valve, a choke valve, a diaphragm valve, a gate valve, a globe valve, a knife valve, a needle valve, a pinch valve, a piston valve, a plug valve, a poppet valve, a spool valve, a thermal expansion valve, a pressure reducing valve, a sampling valve, a safety valve, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the controller  52  may control the amount of fluid  14  into the injection path  78  according to at least one variable measured by at least one sensor  80  in the fluid circuit  30  or engine  44  or other vehicle component, which may include at least one of fluid  14  temperature, fluid  14  pressure, engine  44  load, engine  44  speed, engine  44  temperature, intake fuel injection mixture temperature, intake fuel injection mixture density, or exhaust temperature, or engine operating condition. In a number of variations, the engine  44  may include an exhaust outlet fluid or exhaust  108 . In a number of variations, the exhaust  108  may flow through an exhaust manifold  110 . In a number of variations, the exhaust outlet  108  may be at an internal temperature and may be put into at least one heat exchanger  16  which may be part of the fluid circuit  12  to transfer heat to the fluid  14 . In a number of variations, the exhaust  108  may be further treated through an exhaust air treatment system  112 . In a number of variations, the exhaust  108  may be put into a plurality of heat exchangers  16 ,  16 ′ which may be part of the fluid circuit  12  to transfer heat to the fluid  14 . In a number of variations, at least a portion of the exhaust  108  may be recycled back to the fuel injection mixture inlet  109 . In a number of variations, additional valves  50 ,  50 ′,  50 ″,  50 ′″ may be located in the flow of air intake stream  105 , exhaust stream  108 , or another location. In a number of variations, a number of components ( 16 ,  50 ,  52 ,  20 ,  18 ,  17 ,  15 ,  22 ,  16 ,  80 ) of the fluid circuit  12  may be rearranged in location or flow direction of fluid  14  and are not limited to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  and may have more or fewer components. In a number of variations, the fluid circuit  12  may include further heat exchange components for the fluid  14  including, but not limited to, a radiator, an axle oil heat exchanger, an engine oil heat exchanger, a cabin heater, or may be another type. 
     In a number of variations, the generator/expander  15  may convert the heat of the fluid  14  into useful work through a generator  22 . In a number of variations, the generator  22  may be a dynamo or an alternator. In a number of variations, the generator may rotate at speeds from 1000-200,000 RPM, and may produce power in the range of 5-1000 kilowatts. In a number of variations, the generator  22  may include a rotor shaft  26 , and/or a stator  27 . In a number of variations, the generator  22  may include an armature (not shown) which may generate electric current to be collected by an electric collection component (not shown). In a number of variations, the electric current may be used to power an engine  44  or other component of a vehicle. In a number of variations, the electric current may be stored in a battery (not shown). In a number of variations, the generator  22  may include a magnetic field (not shown), which may be provided by magnets or electromagnets mounted on either the rotor  26  or the stator  27 . In a number of variations, the generator/expander  15  may include an expander  17  that may include a turbine  29 , which may be attached to or may have in common a rotor shaft  26  of the generator  22  and may be used to drive the generator  22  to produce electric current. In a number of variations, fluid  14  may flow through the turbine  29  to rotate the rotor  26 . In a number of variations, the turbine  29  may be at least one of a steam turbine, a gas turbine, a transonic turbine, a contra-rotating turbine, a statorless turbine, a shrouded turbine, a ceramic turbine, a shroudless turbine, a bladless turbine, a water turbine (including Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, Turgo, or Cross-flow), a pressure compound turbine, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the turbine  29  may have at least one rotor  26 ′ and at least one stator  27 ′. In a number of variations, the turbine  29  may be an impulse turbine or a reaction turbine. As shown in  FIG. 2 , in a number of variations, the generator  22  may include a housing  24 , at least one shaft  26 , at least one bearing  28 , and at least one fluid system  30  comprising a generator pump  20 B,  20 A, a fluid  14  and a fluid jacket  36 , wherein the fluid system  30  may be constructed and arranged for transferring heat from at least one of the bearing  28  or the housing  24  to the fluid  14 . In a number of variations, the fluid system  30  may also be constructed and arranged to lubricate the at least one bearing  28 . In a number of variations, the fluid system may include a nozzle  34  for injecting the fluid  14  into the bearing  28 . In a number of variations, the bearing  28  may be a plain bearing, rolling-element bearing, jewel bearing, fluid bearing, magnetic bearing, or flexure bearing, or may be another type. In a number of variations, the fluid system  30  may be directly connected to the fluid circuit  12 . In a number of variations, the generator pump  38  may be a part of, or may encompass, the pump  20 , the high pressure pump  20 A, or the low pressure pump  20 B of the fluid circuit  12 . In a number of variations, the generator pump  38  may flow fluid through the fluid jacket  36 , bearing  28  or both or neither. In a number of variations, the fluid jacket  36  may surround the housing  24  of the generator  22 . In a number of variations, the fluid system  30  may transfer heat from the fluid jacket  36  to the housing  24  or may transfer heat from at least one of the housing  24 , stator  27 , or rotor  26 , to the fluid jacket  36 . In a number of variations, the fluid system  30  may transfer heat from the fluid jacket  36  to the fluid  14 . In a number of variations, the fluid system  30  may transfer heat from the bearing  28  to the fluid  14  or may transfer heat from the fluid  14  to the bearing  28 . In a number of variations, the fluid  14  may collect at a fluid reservoir  39  at the base of the fluid jacket  36  after flowing through the jacket  36  and bearing  28 . In a number of variations, heat transfer from the bearing  28 , stator  27 , rotor  26 , housing  24 , fluid jacket  36 , or fluid system  30  to the fluid  14  may increase cycle thermal efficiency by preheating the fluid before it enters the engine  44 . In a number of variations, the fluid  14  may then flow through the pump  20 ,  20 A and back into the fluid circuit  12 . In a number of variations, fluid  14  may also flow through the expander  17 , and/or turbine  29  in the fluid circuit  12 . In a number of variations, a valve  50 ″″ may split fluid flow between the fluid system  30  and the expander  17 . In a number of variations, the valve  50 ″″ may be controlled by the controller  52  and may split fluid at a ratio based on at least one variable. In a number of variations, the fluid system  30  may allow for recapture of waste heat from an engine  44 , exhaust  108 , or generator/expander  15 . In a number of variations, power electronics may be packed with the generator/expander  15  and fluid system  30  to allow for cooling of the electronics. In a number of variations, the generator/expander  15  and fluid system  30  may be allowed to be packed adjacent to or on the engine  44 , which may allow for increased system packaging flexibility and minimal resource use and thermal inefficiency. In a number of variations, a number of components ( 22 ,  38 ,  24 ,  34 ,  28 ,  20 A,  20 B,  12 ,  17 ,  29 ,  14 ,  36 ,  39 ,  34 ) of the fluid circuit  12  may be rearranged in location or flow direction of fluid  14  and are not limited to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2  and may have more or fewer components. 
     In a number of variations, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a method  800  is shown. In a number of variations, the method  800  may include a step  802  of providing a fluid circuit  12  comprising a fluid  14 , at least one pump  20 , a condenser  18 , a expander  17 , a generator  22 , a heat exchanger  16 , and an injection path  78  constructed and arranged to deliver fluid  14  from the fluid circuit  12  into a fuel injection mixture for an engine  44 . In a number of variations, the method  800  further includes step  804  of flowing fluid  14  through the fluid circuit  12  wherein fluid  14  may be allowed into the injection path  78  by operation of a controller  80  constructed to allow fluid  14  into the fluid path  78  based on at least one variable including at least one of fluid temperature, fluid pressure, engine load, engine speed, engine temperature, intake temperature, intake density, or exhaust temperature. In a number of variations, the generator  22  further includes a housing  24 , at least one shaft  26 , at least one bearing  28 , and at least one fluid system  30  comprising a pump  20 , a fluid  14  and a fluid jacket  36 , wherein the fluid system  30  constructed and arranged for transferring heat from at least one of the bearing  28  or the housing  24  to the fluid  14 . In a number of variations, the method  800  may further include step  806  of flowing fluid  14  through the fluid system  30  to perform at least one of a heat transfer from at least one of the bearing  28  or the housing  24  to the fluid  14 , or a lubrication of the bearing  28 . In a number of variations, the method  800  may further include step  808  of flowing fluid  14  from the fluid circuit  12  through an expander  17  concurrent to flowing fluid  14  through the fluid system  12  bearing  28  or fluid jacket  36 . In a number of variations, the method  800  may further include step  810  of flowing fluid  14  from the fluid system  30  and/or expander  17  into a pump  20 . 
     The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, product and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, product and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention. 
     Variation 1 may include a product including a generator comprising a housing, at least one shaft, at least one bearing, and at least one fluid system comprising a pump, a fluid, and a fluid jacket, wherein the fluid system is constructed and arranged for transferring heat between at least one of the bearing or the housing and the fluid. 
     Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the fluid system is also constructed and arranged to lubricate the bearing. 
     Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-2 wherein the fluid comprises at least one of ethanol, methanol, kerosene, gasoline, diesel, propanol, butanol, water, benzene, toluene, methane, ethane, propane, butane, acetone, or liquid hydrogen. 
     Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-3 wherein the pump flows fluid directly through the bearing. 
     Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-4 wherein the product further comprises a fluid turbine for generating power in the generator. 
     Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-5 wherein the product further comprises a fluid circuit further comprising at least one of a condenser or a heat exchanger. 
     Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-6 wherein the fluid system further comprises at least one nozzle for injection of fluid into the bearing. 
     Variation 8 may include a product including a fluid circuit comprising a fluid, a condenser, a generator/expander, a pump, at least one valve, and an injection path constructed and arranged to deliver fluid from the fluid circuit into a fuel injection mixture for an engine. 
     Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in any of Variation 8 wherein the injection path comprises an injector. 
     Variation 10 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 8-9 wherein the fluid comprises at least one of ethanol, methanol, kerosene, gasoline, diesel, propanol, butanol, water, benzene, toluene, methane, ethane, propane, butane, acetone, or liquid hydrogen. 
     Variation 11 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 8-10 wherein the fluid circuit further comprises a controller constructed and arranged to control the amount of fluid into the injection path according to a variable comprising at least one of, fluid temperature, fluid pressure, engine load, engine speed, engine temperature, intake temperature, intake density, or exhaust temperature. 
     Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in Variations 8-11 wherein the engine comprises an internal combustion engine for a vehicle. 
     Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in and of Variations 8-12 wherein the injector is located adjacent to, in, or near an intake manifold of the engine. 
     Variation 14 may include a method including providing a fluid circuit comprising a fluid, at least one pump, a condenser, a turbine, a generator, a heat exchanger, and an injection path constructed and arranged to deliver fluid from the fluid circuit into a fuel injection mixture for an engine; and flowing fluid through the fluid circuit wherein fluid is allowed into the injection path by operation of a controller constructed to allow fluid into the fluid path based on at least one variable comprising at least one of fluid temperature, fluid pressure, engine load, engine speed, engine temperature, intake temperature, intake density, or exhaust temperature. 
     Variation 15 may include a method as set forth in Variation 14 wherein the injection path comprises an injector. 
     Variation 16 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 14-15 wherein the generator comprises a housing, at least one shaft, at least one bearing, and at least one fluid system comprising a pump, a fluid and a fluid jacket, wherein the fluid system constructed and arranged for transferring heat between at least one of the bearing or the housing and the fluid. 
     Variation 17 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 14-16 wherein the method further includes flowing fluid through the fluid system to perform at least one of a heat transfer between at least one of the bearing or the housing and the fluid, or a lubrication of the bearing. 
     Variation 18 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 14-17 wherein the engine comprises an internal combustion engine for a vehicle. 
     Variation 19 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 14-18 wherein the injector is located adjacent to, in, or near an intake manifold of the engine. 
     Variation 20 may include a method as set forth in any of Variations 14-19 wherein the fluid comprises at least one of ethanol, methanol, kerosene, gasoline, diesel, propanol, butanol, water, benzene, toluene, methane, ethane, propane, butane, acetone, or liquid hydrogen. 
     Variation 21 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1-20 wherein the fluid circuit is a Kalina cycle. 
     Variation 22 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-21 wherein the fluid circuit is a part of a vehicle including, but not limited to, a motor vehicle, a spacecraft, a watercraft, an aircraft, or a train. 
     Variation 23 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-22 wherein the heat exchanger is a heat exchanger type including, but not limited to an electric heating, a double pipe, a shell and tube, a plate heat, a plate and shell, an adiabatic wheel, a plate fin heat, a pillow plate, or a fluid heat exchanger. 
     Variation 24 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-23 wherein the condenser is a heat exchanger including, but not limited to an electric heating, a double pipe, a shell and tube, a plate heat, a plate and shell, an adiabatic wheel, a plate fin heat, a pillow plate, or a fluid heat exchanger. 
     Variation 25 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-24 the pump is a rotary positive displacement pump, a reciprocating positive displacement pump, a gear pump, a screw pump, a progressing cavity pump, a roots-type pump, a peristaltic pump, a plunger pump, a rope pump, a impeller pump, a hydraulic ram pump, a radial-flow pump, an axial-flow pump, a mixed-flow pump, an eductor-jet pump, a steam pump, a gravity pump, or a valveless pump. 
     Variation 26 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-25 wherein the engine is an internal or external combustion engine. 
     Variation 27 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-26 wherein the fluid circuit recovers energy from waste heat in a vehicle from areas including, but not limited to, a vehicle exhaust, or a radiator. 
     Variation 28 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-27 wherein the engine comprises an engine head and an engine block. 
     Variation 29 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-28 wherein the fluid in the injection path is added to the fuel injection mixture to further optimize the efficiency of the engine by injection into the intake manifold. 
     Variation 30 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-29 wherein the injector is located along, adjacent to, in, or near an engine intake manifold. 
     Variation 31 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-30 wherein the fluid circuit comprises a valve for controlling how fluid leaves the fluid circuit and enters the injection path. 
     Variation 32 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-31 wherein the valve is controlled by a controller to control the amount of fluid into the injection path. 
     Variation 33 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-32 wherein the valve is at least one of a ball valve, a butterfly valve, a ceramic disc valve, a check valve, a choke valve, a diaphragm valve, a gate valve, a globe valve, a knife valve, a needle valve, a pinch valve, a piston valve, a plug valve, a poppet valve, a spool valve, a thermal expansion valve, a pressure reducing valve, a sampling valve, or a safety valve. 
     Variation 34 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-33 wherein the engine includes an exhaust that is treated through an exhaust air treatment system. 
     Variation 35 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-34 wherein the exhaust is put into a plurality of heat exchangers which are part of the fluid circuit to transfer heat to the fluid. 
     Variation 36 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-35 wherein the fluid circuit includes further heat exchange components for the fluid comprising at least one of, a radiator, an axle oil heat exchanger, an engine oil heat exchanger, or a cabin heater. 
     Variation 37 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-36 wherein the generator is a dynamo or an alternator. 
     Variation 38 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-37 wherein the generator includes at least one of a rotor shaft or a stator. 
     Variation 39 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-38 wherein turbine is at least one of a steam turbine, a gas turbine, a transonic turbine, a contra-rotating turbine, a statorless turbine, a shrouded turbine, a ceramic turbine, a shroudless turbine, a bladless turbine, a water turbine (including Pelton, Francis, Kaplan, Turgo, or Cross-flow), or a pressure compound turbine. 
     Variation 40 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-39 wherein the turbine is at least one of an impulse turbine or a reaction turbine. 
     Variation 41 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-40 wherein the bearing is at least one of a plain bearing, rolling-element bearing, jewel bearing, fluid bearing, magnetic bearing, or flexure bearing. 
     Variation 42 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-41 wherein the fluid of the fluid system collects at a fluid reservoir at the base of the fluid jacket after flowing through the jacket and bearing. 
     Variation 43 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-42 wherein a valve  50  splits fluid flow between the fluid system and the expander and is controlled by the controller. 
     Variation 44 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-43 wherein the method further includes flowing fluid from the fluid system through an expander concurrent to flowing fluid through the fluid system bearing or fluid jacket. 
     Variation 45 may include a product or method as set forth in any of Variations 1-44 wherein the method further includes flowing fluid from the fluid system or expander into a pump. 
     The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.