초록 ▼

A method and system for preheating one or more auxiliary components of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine or other means for producing hot exhaust gases. The method and system use waste thermal energy extracted from engine exhaust gases produced when the engine is running. Th

A method and system for preheating one or more auxiliary components of an automotive vehicle having an internal combustion engine or other means for producing hot exhaust gases. The method and system use waste thermal energy extracted from engine exhaust gases produced when the engine is running. This thermal energy is stored in a special thermal storage material in the form of chemical potential by a direct dehydration/hydration process. The thermal energy is released during a cold start and used to warm ambient air, which may then be conveyed to one or more desired auxiliary components, such as the catalytic converter, the passenger cabin or the like.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for pre-heating one or more auxiliary components of an automotive vehicle, the automotive vehicle having means for producing hot exhaust gases, the system comprising: a) a heat exchanger comprising i) a pair of thermally conductive chambers, ii) a quantity of thermal storage material of the

A system for pre-heating one or more auxiliary components of an automotive vehicle, the automotive vehicle having means for producing hot exhaust gases, the system comprising: a) a heat exchanger comprising i) a pair of thermally conductive chambers, ii) a quantity of thermal storage material of the type that undergoes a reversible dehydration/hydration process disposed in each of said thermally conductive chambers, iii) means for conducting hot exhaust gases into an intimate heat exchange relation with said thermally conductive chambers to dehydrate the thermal storage material contained therein, and iv) means for conducting .an appropriate fluid into an intimate heat exchange relation with said thermally conductive chambers so as to become heated thereby; b) a hydrating solvent delivery, collection and storage assembly including a container containing a quantity of hydrating solvent, wherein said hydrating solvent is a mixture of ethanol and water, means for conducting the hydrating solvent into said thermally conductive chambers for hydrating the thermal storage material contained therein whereby thermal energy is evolved therefrom to heat said chambers and means for conducting dehydration vapor from said thermally conductive chambers for condensation and return to said container; c) means for conveying hot exhaust gases to said heat exchanger from an internal combustion engine; and d) means for conveying the heated fluid from said heat exchanger to one or more auxiliary components of the motor vehicle.