Patent ID: 7870733

Claim:
A fluid machine comprising: an expansion device for generating a driving force by expansion of working fluid, the working fluid includes lubricating oil and is heated to a gas-phase condition; an electric power generator having a rotor driven by the driving force of the expansion device to generate electric power when the rotor is rotated; an oil pooling portion provided in a passage, through which the working fluid discharged from the expansion device flows, the pooling portion pooling the lubricating oil contained in the working fluid such that the lubricating oil is in contact with at least one of a sliding portion of the expansion device and a sliding portion of the electric power generator; and a heating unit heating the working fluid in the oil pooling portion; wherein electric current is supplied to the heating unit so as to heat the working fluid in the oil pooling portion when viscosity of the lubricating oil is lower than a predetermined value, while the rotor of the electric power generator is maintained at a stopped condition.