Flywheel Mechanical Energy Derived from Engine Exhaust Heat

A mechanical energy storage and delivery device comprising:

• a flywheel;
• an engine exhaust heat recovery system adapted to power the flywheel;
• the heat recovery system including:
• an engine exhaust heat conduit;
• a first closed loop heat exchanger adapted to interface with and receive heat from the engine exhaust heat conduit for converting a fluid from a liquid state into a gaseous state;
• a heat expander positioned downstream from the first heat exchanger and adapted to receive the fluid therefrom in the gaseous state and to mechanically remove energy therefrom;
• a second closed loop heat exchanger adapted to receive the fluid from the heat expander and to convert the fluid from the gaseous state into a liquid state;
• and
• an externally driven pump interposed between the second heat exchanger and the first heat exchanger, the pump adapted to receive the fluid in its liquid state and to transfer the fluid into the first heat exchanger in a continuous cycle;
• wherein the engine exhaust heat recovery system further comprises a plurality of clutches, a transmission, and a flywheel, and wherein the clutches are adapted to selectively transfer power in parallel to either the transmission, the flywheel, or to both;
• and
• wherein the heat expander includes a rotary power shaft coupled to the flywheel, such that the flywheel may develop mechanical power for subsequent, selective use upon demand.