Patent · US Active

System and method for storing thermal energy as auxiliary power in a vehicle

US8966914B2 · kind B2 · utility

2Cited by
17References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 2011
Grant dateMar 3, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 3, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E60/14
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A system is provided for capturing energy from heat expelled in an exhaust of an engine of a motor vehicle and storing the captured energy. The system comprises a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, and an absorber. The generator captures heat from the exhaust of the engine and may be configured for circulating a first solution having a solute that is vaporizable by heat captured by the generator. The condenser may be coupled to the generator for receiving vaporized solute and condensing the vaporized solute to a liquid. The evaporator may be coupled to the condenser and have an orifice between the condenser and the evaporator. The evaporator may have a first fluid passage for circulating the solute and a second fluid passage for circulating a second solution. The first and second fluid passages may be configured such that solute running through the first fluid passage is vaporizable by heat absorbed from the second solution running through the second fluid passage, thereby cooling the second solution. The absorber may be coupled to the evaporator and the generator. The absorber may be configured to return the solute to solution by mixing the solute with a solvent of the first s…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.