# US 2014/0150426 A1 · Device and method for using the waste heat of an internal combustion engine

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- Number: US 2014/0150426 A1
- Document ID: US20140150426A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/118,604
- Filed: 2012-04-20
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-05-19
- Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH
- Inventors: Gregory Rewers; Nadja Eisenmenger; Achim Brenk; Hans-Christoph Magel; Andreas Wengert; Dieter Seher; Michael Krueger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150426A1

## CPC

- F02M 26/00: Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding exhaust gases to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture, e.g. by exhaust gas recirculation [EGR] systems
- F01K 15/02: for driving vehicles, e.g. locomotives
- F01K 23/065: {the combustion taking place in an internal combustion piston engine, e.g. a diesel engine}
- F01K 23/14: including at least one combustion engine
- Y02T 10/12: Improving ICE efficiencies
- F02M: SUPPLYING COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL WITH COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURES OR CONSTITUENTS THEREOF
- F01K: STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES (gas-turbine or jet-propulsion plants F02; nuclear power plants, engine arrangements therein G21D)
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for using the waste heat of an internal combustion engine (2) comprising a thermodynamic working circuit (4) in which a working medium circulates. A pump (6), at least one heat exchanger (8) at least one expansion machine (10) and at least one capacitor (12) are arranged in the direction of flow of the working medium. The mechanical energy generated by the expansion machine (10) is selectively transferred to a drive train (23) and/or at least one other component (25) which can be driven mechanically.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for using the waste heat of an internal combustion engine (2), which device is designed to drive a drive train (23), wherein the device comprises a thermodynamic working circuit (4) having an expansion machine (10), and a distributor device (14) which is mechanically connected to the expansion machine (10) to transmit mechanical energy output by the expansion machine (10) during operation either to the drive train (23) or to at least one further mechanically drivable component (25).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the further component (25) is an electric generator, a hydraulic compressor or a pneumatic compressor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributor device (14) is designed in such a way that a portion of the energy transmitting to the drive train (23) and the further component (25) is variable.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributor device (14) is embodied as a planetary gear mechanism (42).

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine (2) is connected to a sun gear (50) of the planetary gear mechanism (42), the expansion machine (10) acts on a planetary carrier (48) of the planetary gear mechanism (42), and the further component (25) is operatively connected to a ring gear (44) of the planetary gear mechanism (42).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributor device is a two-quadrant gear mechanism.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a freewheel (34) is arranged between the internal combustion engine (2) and the distributor device (14).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a step-up or step-down gear mechanism (36) is arranged between the expansion machine (10) and the distributor device (14).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distributor device (14) is configured as a starting device for starting the expansion machine (10).

### Claim 10

A method for using the waste heat of an internal combustion engine (2) which is designed to drive a drive train (23), with a thermodynamic working circuit (4) which drives an expansion machine (10), comprising transmitting mechanical energy, generated by the expansion machine (10), to at least one of the drive train (23) and at least one further mechanically drivable component (25).

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising varying a portion of the energy transmitted to the drive train or to the further component.