초록 ▼

An energy conversion apparatus and method using recovered energy sources including motor vehicle kinetic energy (deceleration and shock) and wind resistance, supplemented by liquefied air transferred to the vehicle and by solar radiation thereto. The energy sources are combined, as available, to dri

An energy conversion apparatus and method using recovered energy sources including motor vehicle kinetic energy (deceleration and shock) and wind resistance, supplemented by liquefied air transferred to the vehicle and by solar radiation thereto. The energy sources are combined, as available, to drive a compressor for supplying intake working fluid of a motor vehicle prime mover, wherein liquefied air provides pre-compression cooling of an atmospheric air portion of the working fluid. The liquefied air is made by recovered energy, stored and transferred between vehicles and between vehicles and stationary sites. In a hybrid version of the vehicle, exhaust heat from a combustion engine part of the prime mover increases working fluid temperature in a gas expander part, thereof; the engine and expander operating independently or together for improved vehicle propulsion efficiency.

대표청구항 ▼

I claim: 1. A method for recovering, storing and transferring energy dissipated by a vehicle, comprising the steps of: driving a wind energy recovery means by differential pressure between air impacting said vehicle and air in selected wake regions of said vehicle, and by air flow through said reco

I claim: 1. A method for recovering, storing and transferring energy dissipated by a vehicle, comprising the steps of: driving a wind energy recovery means by differential pressure between air impacting said vehicle and air in selected wake regions of said vehicle, and by air flow through said recovery means due to said differential pressure, transferring liquefied air from a source external to said vehicle to a liquefied air storage means connected to said vehicle, producing additional liquefied air by a liquefier means driven by said wind energy recovery means, cooling atmospheric air drawn from around said vehicle with said liquefied air and said additional liquefied air in a heat exchange means connected to said vehicle, while producing vaporized liquefied air and cooled atmospheric air, pressurizing said cooled atmospheric air by a cryogenic compression means driven by said wind energy recovery means to produce compressed atmospheric air, and transferring any excess liquefied air from said vehicle. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the additional steps of: pressurizing said vaporized liquefied air, and mixing said vaporized liquefied air with said compressed atmospheric air to produce an intake working fluid for a prime mover. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the additional steps of, diverting a portion of said compressed atmospheric air for providing a working fluid to a gas expander portion of a prime mover means, and transferring exhaust heat from a combustion engine portion of said prime mover means to said working fluid of said gas expander portion of said prime mover means. 4. A working fluid air and heat sink fluid supply system for a prime mover of a motor vehicle comprising: a wind energy recovery turbine driven by differential pressure between air impacting said vehicle and air in selected wake regions of said motor vehicle, and by air flow through said turbine due to said differential pressure, a storage tank for containing liquefied air, a pump for pressurizing said liquefied air, an evaporator for transferring heat from additional atmospheric air drawn from around said vehicle while producing vaporized liquefied air, a compressor driven by said turbine for compressing said additional atmospheric air from said evaporator to produce intake working fluid for a prime mover, a liquefier for conversion of a suitably pure atmospheric air to additional liquefied air, an expander valve for providing a diverted portion of said intake working fluid and, a heating jacket for heating said diverted portion of said intake working fluid, wherein said intake working fluid provides expansion energy, fuel oxidation and combustion cooling for said prime mover; said diverted portion of said intake working fluid provides expansion energy for a portion of said prime mover; and said liquefied air and said additional liquefied air provides cooling of said intake working fluid air as heat sink fluid of said prime mover. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of producing additional liquefied air by a shock absorption energy recovery means. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of producing further liquefied air by shock absorption energy recovery means comprises the step of compressing atmospheric air with a shock compressor drive connected to a wheel-axle assembly of said vehicle. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of producing further liquefied air by said shock absorption energy recovery means further comprises the step of cooling said atmospheric air prior to said step of compressing step. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of producing further liquefied air by a deceleration energy recovery means. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of producing further liquefied air by said deceleration energy recovery means comprises the steps of generating electrical power from said deceleration energy drive, transmitting said power to an electric motor compressor, and compressing additional atmospheric air using said electric motor compressor. 10. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of producing further liquefied air by a solar energy recovery means. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of producing further liquefied air by solar energy recovery means comprises the steps of generating electrical power from a photovoltaic panel, transmitting said power to an electric motor compressor, and compressing additional atmospheric air using said electric motor compressor. 12. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of producing still further liquefied air by a deceleration energy recovery means. 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of producing still further liquefied air by a shock absorption energy recovery means. 14. The system of claim 4 further comprising mixing means for mixing liquefied air with an exhaust gas from said compressor. 15. The system of claim 4 further comprising a shock absorption energy recovery means for recovering shock energy from said motor vehicle and producing further liquefied air, wherein said shock absorption energy recovery means is in fluid communication with said storage tank. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said shock absorption energy recovery means comprises a shock compressor drive connected to a wheel-axle assembly of said motor vehicle. 17. The system of claim 4 further comprising a deceleration energy recovery means for recovering deceleration energy from said motor vehicle and producing further liquefied air, wherein said shock absorption energy recovery means is in fluid communication with said storage tank. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein said deceleration energy recovery means comprises a deceleration energy drive adapted to transfer deceleration energy into electrical power, and an electric motor compressor in electrical communication with said deceleration energy drive and in fluid communication with said storage tank. 19. The system of claim 4 further comprising a solar energy recovery means for converting solar energy into electricity and producing further liquefied air. 20. The system of claim 19 wherein said solar energy recovery means comprises a photovoltaic panel and an electric motor compressor in electrical communication with said deceleration energy drive and in fluid communication with said storage tank.