Vehicle power supply system

A power supply system for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, the system comprising:

• means for using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine to heat a working fluid;
• and
• means for storing the heated working fluid whereby it may be used to provide heat and/or power for the vehicle at a later time.

The system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

• means for using the stored heat energy or stored heated working fluid to generate electricity.

The system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

• means for using the stored heat energy or stored heated working fluid to heat the catalyst of a catalytic converter exhaust gas treatment arrangement of the vehicle.

A system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle which includes a catalytic converter exhaust gas treatment arrangement, the system comprising:

• means for using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine to heat a working fluid;
• and
• means for using the heated working fluid to heat the catalyst of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement.

The system of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:

• a solid-state electricity generation arrangement that may be driven by exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine.

The system of any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine.

A method of operating a power supply system for a vehicle that includes an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine to heat a working fluid;
• and
• storing the heated working fluid whereby it may be used to provide heat and/or power for the vehicle at a later time.

A method of operating a power supply system comprising an internal combustion engine, a working fluid system, and a piston arrangement, the method comprising:

• heating the working fluid using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine;
• and
• driving the piston arrangement using both the internal combustion engine and the heated working fluid in a gaseous form.

A Method of operating an engine system of a vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine and a catalytic converter exhaust gas treatment arrangement, the method comprising:

• using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine to heat a working fluid;
• and
• using the heated working fluid to heat the catalyst of the exhaust gas treatment arrangement.

A method of operating a power supply system comprising an internal combustion engine, a working fluid system, and a solid-state electricity generation arrangement, the method comprising:

• heating the working fluid using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine;
• and
• heating the solid-state electricity generation arrangement using exhaust heat from the internal combustion engine.

A power supply system substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

A system for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

A method of operating a power supply system as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

A method of operating an engine system of a vehicle as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

A vehicle as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.