Unit for recovering thermal energy from exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine

A unit for recovering thermal energy from exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• an inlet for the exhaust gas to enter the unit;
• an outlet for the exhaust gas to exit the unit;
• a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the inlet and the outlet, said heat exchanger being arranged downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet with respect to the flow of the exhaust gas through the unit;
• and
• a valve capable of being switched between a recovery position, in which the exhaust gas is directed to flow from the inlet through the heat exchanger to the outlet, and a bypass position, in which the exhaust gas is directed to flow from the inlet through a bypass to the outlet,
• wherein the valve comprises separate first and second valve bodies and associated separate first and second valve seats for receiving the separate first and second valve bodies in the recovery position and in the bypass position,
• wherein the first valve body and the associated first valve seat are arranged upstream of the heat exchanger and the bypass, respectively, with respect to the flow of the exhaust gas through the unit,
• wherein the second valve body and the associated second valve seat are arranged downstream of the heat exchanger and the bypass, respectively,
• and wherein the first and second valve bodies are adapted to be switched only simultaneously from the recovery position to the bypass position and vice versa.