Patent ID: 7942000

Claim:
A method of using exhaust heat energy of a fuel-based heat engine, the heat engine including a crankshaft being driven by a combustion cycle, the heat engine generating exhaust gases by combustion, the method comprising: providing an independent air system configured in a closed loop, wherein the independent air system contains an air stream separate to the exhaust gases, and wherein air contained in the independent air system is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure prior to starting of the heat engine; bringing the air stream of the independent air system into thermal contact with the exhaust gases, thereby transferring heat energy from the exhaust gases to the air stream in the independent air system to generate a pressurized air stream; providing a rotary vane engine in communication with the independent air system, the rotary vane engine having a housing, a rotor contained within the housing and coupled to the crankshaft of the heat engine and a plurality of vanes extending radially from the rotor; expanding the pressurized air stream within the rotary vane engine to effect a rotation of the rotor; and driving the crankshaft of the heat engine by the rotation of the rotor.