Exhaust energy recovery for engines
First Claim
1. An exhaust energy recovery apparatus, comprising:
- at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length of an exhaust duct of an engine, wherein the exhaust duct includes a substantially tubular portion comprising a diverging tubular portion contiguous to a converging tubular portion, wherein the substantially tubular portion first diverges from an inlet end to enable hot exhaust gases entering the exhaust duct via the inlet end to expand in the diverging tubular portion, and then continuously converges toward an outlet end to enable the exhaust gases to enter the converging tubular portion for maintenance of consistent contact of the exhaust duct with the exhaust gases as the exhaust gases contract from progressive heat extraction in order to maximize the heat extraction; and
a cover located over at least a portion of the exhaust duct adjacent to the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element and forming a channel between the cover and an exterior portion of the exhaust duct, the channel having at least one inlet for admission of cooling fluid.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Technologies are generally described for recovery of energy from engines. The described technology may be applied to systems, methods, and/or apparatuses. An example exhaust energy recovery apparatus (50) may include at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element (60) having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length (34, 35, 36) of an exhaust duct (30) for a combustion engine. The example apparatus (50) may also include a cover (52) located over at least a portion of the exhaust duct (30) adjacent to the at least one energy conversion element (60). A channel (53) may be formed between the cover (52) and an exterior portion of the exhaust duct (30), the channel having at least one inlet (54, 56) for admission of cooling fluid.
7 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An exhaust energy recovery apparatus, comprising:
-
at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length of an exhaust duct of an engine, wherein the exhaust duct includes a substantially tubular portion comprising a diverging tubular portion contiguous to a converging tubular portion, wherein the substantially tubular portion first diverges from an inlet end to enable hot exhaust gases entering the exhaust duct via the inlet end to expand in the diverging tubular portion, and then continuously converges toward an outlet end to enable the exhaust gases to enter the converging tubular portion for maintenance of consistent contact of the exhaust duct with the exhaust gases as the exhaust gases contract from progressive heat extraction in order to maximize the heat extraction; and a cover located over at least a portion of the exhaust duct adjacent to the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element and forming a channel between the cover and an exterior portion of the exhaust duct, the channel having at least one inlet for admission of cooling fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An exhaust energy recovery apparatus, comprising:
-
at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length of an exhaust duct of an engine, wherein the exhaust duct has a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape including a plurality of flat exterior surface portions, at least one of which is arranged for coupling to the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element, and includes a substantially tubular portion which diverges from an inlet end and converges toward an outlet end; and a cover comprising an undulating wall located over at least a portion of the exhaust duct adjacent to the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element supported by one or more spacer members adapted to provide thermal insulation between the portion of the exhaust duct and the cover and forming a channel between the cover and an exterior portion of the exhaust duct, the channel having at least one inlet for admission of cooling fluid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method to recover energy from an engine, the method comprising:
-
providing at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element having at least one side for thermal coupling along a substantial length of an exhaust duct of the engine, wherein the exhaust duct has a substantially polygonal cross-sectional shape including a plurality of flat exterior surface portions, at least one of which is arranged for coupling to the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element, and includes a substantially tubular portion comprising a diverging tubular portion contiguous to a converging tubular portion, wherein the substantially tubular portion first diverges from an inlet end to enable hot exhaust gases entering the exhaust duct via the inlet end to expand in the diverging tubular portion, and then continuously converges toward an outlet end to enable the exhaust gases to enter the converging tubular portion for maintenance of consistent contact of the exhaust duct with the exhaust gases as the exhaust gases contract from progressive heat extraction in order to maximize the heat extraction; channeling a flow of cooling fluid along an exterior of the exhaust duct and over another side of the thermal to electrical energy conversion element; and recovering electrical energy produced by the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element at an electrical output of the at least one thermal to electrical energy conversion element. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification