Patent ID: 7454911

Claim:
An energy recovery system configured to propel a vehicle comprising: an engine comprising an engine block containing at least one combustion chamber; a coolant subsystem, said coolant subsystem comprising a network of coolant fluid conduits in thermal communication with said combustion chamber and containing coolant fluid, said coolant subsystem operatively configured to directly transfer heat from said combustion chamber via said coolant fluid; an exhaust subsystem, said exhaust subsystem comprising at least one conduit in communication with said combustion chamber and operatively configured to convey exhaust gases; a boiler in communication with said coolant subsystem, said boiler operatively configured to generate steam in cooperation with the coolant subsystem; an energy converter comprising a single two-chamber turbine having a first chamber connected to said exhaust subsystem operatively configured to transform energy of said exhaust gases into first mechanical energy and a second chamber connected to said boiler operatively configured to transform energy of said steam into second mechanical energy; and an electric generator in communication with said energy converter operatively configured to convert said first and second mechanical energies to electrical energy.