Thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system
AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation
InventorFrancis R. Stabler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle. A thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with the combustion engine is electrically connected to the electric motor. In operation, the thermoelectric device receives waste heat from the combustion engine and generates electrical power for the electric motor to augment the vehicle propulsion.
Claims20
A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle;
- and
- a thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with exhaust gases from said combustion engine and electrically connected to said electric motor for receiving waste heat from said combustion engine and generating electrical power for augmenting said electric motor, wherein said thermoelectric device is in thermal contact with the exhaust gases from said combustion engine at a point of exhaust gas flow that is downstream of a catalytic converter.
A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle;
- electric power controls electrically connected to said electric motor for operating said electric motor;
- a thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with exhaust gases from said combustion engine and electrically connected to said electric power controls for receiving waste heat from said combustion engine and generating electrical power for augmenting said electric motor, wherein said thermoelectric device is in thermal contact with the exhaust gases from said combustion engine at a point of exhaust gas flow that is downstream of a catalytic converter.
A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle;
- electric power controls electrically connected to said electric motor for operating said electric motor;
- an exhaust conduit extending from said combustion engine;
- a catalytic converter disposed in said exhaust conduit;
- a heat collector provided in fluid communication with said exhaust conduit in thermal contact with exhaust gases from said combustion engine at a point of exhaust gas flow that is downstream of the catalytic converter;
- a thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with said heat collector and electrically connected to said electric power controls for receiving waste heat from said combustion engine and generating electrical power for augmenting said electric motor;
- and
- a cooling mechanism provided in thermal contact with a cold side of said thermoelectric device for cooling said cold side.
A method of augmenting electrical power in a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- providing a combustion engine;
- operating said combustion engine;
- capturing thermal energy from exhaust gases from said combustion engine at a point of exhaust gas flow that is downstream of a catalytic converter;
- and
- converting said thermal energy into additional electrical power for the vehicle.
A thermoelectric augmented hybrid electric propulsion system for a hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- a combustion engine and an electric motor for rotating wheels of the vehicle;
- a thermoelectric device having a hot side provided in thermal contact with said combustion engine and electrically connected to said electric motor for receiving waste heat from said combustion engine and generating electrical power for augmenting said electric motor;
- and
- a cooling mechanism responsive to propulsion of the vehicle provided in thermal contact with a cold side of said thermoelectric device for cooling said cold side of said thermoelectric device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.