Arrangement for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy in a vehicle

摘要

An arrangement for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy in a vehicle (1). A working medium is vaporized by a heat source (3) in the vehicle (1) and is thereafter expanded through a turbine (13) generating mechanical energy. A control unit (31) receives information indicating the vehicle (1) is to be braked and connects the cooling system (21, 39) of the vehicle to the vehicle's power train (2, 5-9) to cool a refrigerant to a low temperature. The control unit (31) receives information that the vehicle (1) requires extra propulsive force and, uses the cooled refrigerant to subject the working medium in the line circuit (10) to a second step of cooling before it is led to the evaporator (12). The condensation temperature of the working medium may thus be lowered and more mechanical energy may be generated in the turbine (13).

主权项

1. An arrangement in a vehicle for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, the arrangement comprising:
a line circuit including a pump therein for circulating a working medium in the line circuit; an evaporator at the line circuit and in which the working medium absorbs thermal energy from a heat source so that the working medium vaporises; a turbine downstream in the line circuit from the evaporator and the turbine is located and configured to being driven by the vaporised working medium for generating mechanical energy; a first condenser downstream of the turbine and configured for cooling the working medium so that the working medium condenses; a cooling system connectable to a power train of the vehicle which includes an engine of the vehicle; a control unit configured for receiving information which indicates when the vehicle is to be braked and, when such information is received by the control unit, the control unit is configured to connect the cooling system to the vehicle power train such that the cooling system is configured to cool a refrigerant in the cooling system to a lower temperature than a temperature of surroundings of the vehicle; and the control unit is also configured for receiving information which indicates when the vehicle requires extra propulsive force and, when the vehicle requires extra propulsive force, the control unit is configured for directing the cooled refrigerant to subject the working medium in the line circuit to a second step of cooling at a location downstream of the condenser and before the working fluid is led to the evaporator.