Waste heat scavenging method and system for a work machine

A system for scavenging waste heat associated with a work machine including a hydraulic circuit and a transmission fluid circuit, the system comprising:

• a prime mover, the prime mover electrically sourced and adapted to supply mechanical energy for operating the work machine;
• a transmission fluid circuit adapted to lubricate a moving part of a transmission powered by the prime mover, the transmission fluid circuit having waste heat;
• a hydraulic circuit adapted to transmit power from the prime mover to a moving component of the work machine, the hydraulic circuit having waste heat;
• an electric cab heater adapted to supply heat to at least a portion of the cab;
• and
• a controller adapted to coordinate a scavenging of waste heat,
• wherein the controller is adapted to control diversion of a portion of the waste heat created by one or more of the hydraulic circuit, the transmission fluid circuit, and the prime mover such that at least a portion of a demand for power from the electric cab heater is offset by the waste heat created, in response to an increase in demand for power associated with operation of the electric cab heater.

A method of scavenging waste heat from a work machine for heating a cab, the method comprising:

• providing one or more of an electric motor fluid circuit, a transmission fluid circuit, and a hydraulic fluid circuit;
• providing a cooling circuit circulating a cooling medium, the cooling circuit coupled to one or more or more of the electric motor fluid circuit, a transmission fluid circuit, and a hydraulic fluid circuit;
• absorbing waste heat by the cooling circuit through a heat exchanger from one or more of the electric motor fluid circuit, the transmission fluid circuit, and the hydraulic circuit;
• diverting waste heat in the cooling circuit towards the cab of the work machine;
• and
• releasing waste heat through a heat exchanger in at least a portion of the cab of the work machine.