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A system is provided for capturing energy from heat expelled in an exhaust of an engine of a motor vehicle and storing the captured energy. The system comprises a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, and an absorber. The generator captures heat from the exhaust of the engine and may be configured

A system is provided for capturing energy from heat expelled in an exhaust of an engine of a motor vehicle and storing the captured energy. The system comprises a generator, a condenser, an evaporator, and an absorber. The generator captures heat from the exhaust of the engine and may be configured for circulating a first solution having a solute that is vaporizable by heat captured by the generator. The condenser may be coupled to the generator for receiving vaporized solute and condensing the vaporized solute to a liquid. The evaporator may be coupled to the condenser and have an orifice between the condenser and the evaporator. The evaporator may have a first fluid passage for circulating the solute and a second fluid passage for circulating a second solution. The first and second fluid passages may be configured such that solute running through the first fluid passage is vaporizable by heat absorbed from the second solution running through the second fluid passage, thereby cooling the second solution. The absorber may be coupled to the evaporator and the generator. The absorber may be configured to return the solute to solution by mixing the solute with a solvent of the first solution supplied by the generator, and for returning the first solution to the generator to complete a cycle of the system.

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1. A system for capturing and storing energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the system comprising: a generator configured to receive the engine exhaust and circulate a first solution comprising a solute, the solute vaporizable into a gaseous state by heat absorbed from the received engine exh

1. A system for capturing and storing energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the system comprising: a generator configured to receive the engine exhaust and circulate a first solution comprising a solute, the solute vaporizable into a gaseous state by heat absorbed from the received engine exhaust;a condenser fluidly coupled to the generator for receiving solute vaporized from the first solution, the condenser configured to condense the vaporized solute into a liquid state;an evaporator fluidly coupled to the condenser, the evaporator comprising a first fluid passage for circulating the condensed solute and a second fluid passage for circulating a second solution, the first and second fluid passages arranged to provide heat exchange therebetween so that the condensed solute circulating within the first fluid passage is vaporizable into the gaseous state by heat absorbed from the second solution circulating within the second fluid passage to thereby cool the second solution; anda thermal storage tank configured to house a third solution for storing thermal energy, the thermal storage tank thermally coupled to the evaporator for exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and the third solution. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a bypass valve configured to fluidly couple the generator to either one of (a) the condenser or (b) the evaporator, such that the condenser is bypassed when the generator is fluidly coupled to the evaporator with the bypass valve, wherein, when the condenser is bypassed, the vaporized solute circulating within the first fluid passage dissipates thermal energy to the second solution circulating within the second fluid passage to thereby heat the second solution. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising: an absorber fluidly coupled to the evaporator and the generator, the absorber configured to dissolve the vaporized solute received from the evaporator into a residual solvent received from the generator to form a reconstituted solution, and to provide the reconstituted solution to the generator. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a heat exchanger coupled between the condenser and the evaporator, the heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first flow comprising the condensed solute flowing from the condenser to the evaporator and a second flow comprising the vaporized solute flowing from the evaporator to the absorber to thereby cool the first flow and heat the second flow. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the heat exchanger is configured, when the condenser is bypassed, to exchange heat between the second flow and a third flow comprising air to thereby cool the second flow. 6. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a heat exchanger coupled between the absorber and the generator, the heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a first flow comprising the solvent flowing from the generator to the absorber and a second flow comprising the reconstituted solution flowing from the absorber to the generator to thereby cool the first flow and heat the second flow. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal storage tank comprises a third fluid passage thermally coupled to the second fluid passage of the evaporator, the third fluid passage for circulating the second solution through the thermal storage tank to provide said exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and the third solution. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the thermal storage tank comprises a fourth fluid passage configured to provide heat exchange with the third solution, the fourth fluid passage fluidly connectable to a heating and cooling unit of a motor vehicle for transferring the thermal energy stored in the thermal storage tank to the motor vehicle. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the third fluid passage and the fourth fluid passage are each at least partially submerged into the third solution to provide heat exchange paths therebetween. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second solution and the third solution have different concentrations of solute to facilitate heat transfer therebetween. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a valve configured to be switchable between at least two states, including a first state in which the valve fluidly couples the generator to the condenser, and a second state in which the valve fluidly couples the generator to the evaporator,wherein, when the valve is in the second state, the vaporized solute circulating within the first fluid passage dissipates thermal energy to the second solution circulating within the second fluid passage to thereby heat the second solution. 12. A method of capturing and storing energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the method comprising: absorbing the heat from the engine exhaust into a first solution comprising a solute;vaporizing the solute into a gaseous state by the heat absorbed from the engine exhaust;in a cold storage mode of operation: condensing the vaporized solute into a liquid state;upon said condensing, re-vaporizing the solute into the gaseous state through depressurization; anddisposing a second solution to provide exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and the re-vaporized solute, such that the re-vaporized solute absorbs thermal energy from the second solution to thereby cool the second solution; andcirculating the second solution through a thermal storage tank to provide exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and a third solution housed in the thermal storage tank for storing thermal energy. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: in a heat storage mode of operation: disposing the second solution to provide exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and the vaporized solute that has not been condensed and re-vaporized, such that the vaporized solute dissipates thermal energy to the second solution to thereby heat the second solution. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: in the cold storage mode of operation, dissolving the re-vaporized solute into a residual solvent of the first solution to form a reconstituted solution;in the heat storage mode of operation, dissolving the vaporized solute that has not been condensed and re-vaporized into the residual solvent to form the reconstituted solution; andabsorbing heat from the engine exhaust into the reconstituted solution to vaporize the solute into the gaseous state. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: exchanging heat between a first flow comprising the residual solvent and a second flow comprising the reconstituted solution to thereby cool the first flow and heat the second flow. 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: in the cold storage mode of operation, exchanging heat between a first flow comprising the condensed solute and a second flow comprising the re-vaporized solute to thereby cool the first flow and heat the second flow. 17. The method of claim 13, further comprising: in the heat storage mode of operation, exchanging heat between a first flow comprising the re-vaporized solute and a second flow comprising air to thereby cool the first flow. 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising: transferring the thermal energy stored in the thermal storage tank to a heating and cooling unit of a motor vehicle. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the second solution and the third solution have different concentrations of solute to facilitate heat transfer therebetween. 20. A system for capturing and storing energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the system comprising: a generator configured to receive the engine exhaust and circulate a first solution comprising a solute, the solute vaporizable into a gaseous state by heat absorbed from the received engine exhaust;a condenser fluidly coupled to the generator for receiving solute vaporized from the first solution, the condenser configured to condense the vaporized solute into a liquid state;an evaporator fluidly coupled to the condenser, the evaporator comprising a first fluid passage for circulating the condensed solute and a second fluid passage for circulating a second solution, the first and second fluid passages arranged to provide heat exchange therebetween so that the condensed solute circulating within the first fluid passage is vaporizable into the gaseous state by heat absorbed from the second solution circulating within the second fluid passage to thereby cool the second solution; anda valve configured to be switchable between at least two states, including a first state in which the valve fluidly couples the generator to the condenser, and a second state in which the valve fluidly couples the generator to the evaporator,wherein, when the valve is in the second state, the vaporized solute circulating within the first fluid passage dissipates thermal energy to the second solution circulating within the second fluid passage to thereby heat the second solution. 21. A method of capturing and storing energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the method comprising: absorbing the heat from the engine exhaust into a first solution comprising a solute;vaporizing the solute into a gaseous state by the heat absorbed from the engine exhaust;in a cold storage mode of operation: condensing the vaporized solute into a liquid state;upon said condensing, re-vaporizing the solute into the gaseous state through pressure decrease; anddisposing a second solution to provide exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and the re-vaporized solute, such that the re-vaporized solute absorbs thermal energy from the second solution to thereby cool the second solution; andin a heat storage mode of operation: disposing the second solution to provide exchange of thermal energy between the second solution and the vaporized solute that has not been condensed and re-vaporized, such that the vaporized solute dissipates thermal energy to the second solution to thereby heat the second solution. 22. A system for capturing energy from heat expelled in an exhaust of an engine of a motor vehicle and storing the captured energy, the system comprising: a generator for capturing heat from the exhaust of the engine, the generator configured for circulating a first solution having a solute that is vaporizable by heat captured by the generator;a condenser coupled to the generator for receiving vaporized solute and condensing the vaporized solute to a liquid;an evaporator coupled to the condenser and having an orifice between the condenser and the evaporator, the evaporator having: a first fluid passage for circulating the solute; anda second fluid passage for circulating a second solution;the first and second fluid passages configured such that solute running through the first fluid passage is vaporizable by heat absorbed from the second solution running through the second fluid passage, thereby cooling the second solution;an absorber coupled to the evaporator and the generator, the absorber configured to return the solute to solution by mixing the solute with a solvent of the first solution supplied by the generator, and for returning the first solution to the generator to complete a cycle of the system; anda bypass valve between the generator and the condenser, the bypass valve further being coupled to the evaporator, the bypass valve configured to divert the solute directly to the evaporator and to selectively configure the system for operation in a heat storage mode. 23. A system for capturing energy from heat expelled in an exhaust of an engine of a motor vehicle and storing the captured energy, the system comprising: a generator for capturing heat from the exhaust of the engine, the generator configured for circulating a first solution having a solute that is vaporizable by heat captured by the generator;a condenser coupled to the generator for receiving vaporized solute and condensing the vaporized solute to a liquid;an evaporator coupled to the condenser and having an orifice between the condenser and the evaporator, the evaporator having: a first fluid passage for circulating the solute; anda second fluid passage for circulating a second solution;the first and second fluid passages configured such that solute running through the first fluid passage is vaporizable by heat absorbed from the second solution running through the second fluid passage, thereby cooling the second solution;an absorber coupled to the evaporator and the generator, the absorber configured to return the solute to solution by mixing the solute with a solvent of the first solution supplied by the generator, and for returning the first solution to the generator to complete a cycle of the system; anda thermal storage tank configured for containing a third solution for storing thermal energy, the thermal storage tank having a fluid passage configured for at least partial submergence in the third solution and coupled to the second fluid passage of the evaporator, for circulating the second solution through the fluid passage of the thermal storage tank. 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the third solution and the second solution includes at least one of water and glycol. 25. The system according to claim 23, wherein the thermal storage tank has a second fluid passage configured for submergence in the third solution, for connection to a heating and cooling unit of the motor vehicle in which the system is installed.