Cummins Inc.

Nimish Bagayatkar

Timothy C Ernst

J Steven Kolhouse

Michael J Ruth

Manik Narula

Jonathan A Dickson

James A Zigan

Kevin C Augustin, Sr

David E Koeberlein

Jithin Benjamin

A vehicle system includes an engine, a transmission, a differential, and a waste heat recovery (WHR) drive that converts thermal energy into mechanical and electrical energy. The WHR drive can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage is structured to selectively link an output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft. The output shaft is selectively coupled to one of the engine, the transmission, or the differential. The vehicle system may also include a traction motor to provide drive to the vehicle. The output shaft can be selectively coupled to the traction motor or the engine.

Waste heat recovery hybrid power drive

A waste heat recovery (WHR) hybrid power system can be utilized in vehicles to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. The WHR system can include a WHR power unit structured to convert thermal energy into rotation of a WHR drive shaft. A motor/generator having a motor/generator shaft can selectively operate as a motor or a generator. A mechanical linkage can be structured to selectively link a output shaft to one of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft independently of the other of the WHR drive shaft and the motor/generator drive shaft.

One embodiment relates to a waste heat recovery power drive system. The waste heat recovery power drive system includes a waste heat recovery system, which includes a heat exchanger operatively coupled to an engine so as to receive heat energy from the engine and transfer the heat energy to a working fluid. An expander is fluidly coupled to the heat exchanger to receive the working fluid from the heat exchanger. The expander is structured to convert heat energy from the working fluid to mechanical energy. A gearbox is operatively coupled to the expander. A front engine accessory drive includes a belt drive operatively coupling the gearbox to a crankshaft of the engine so as to transfer the mechanical energy from the gearbox to the crankshaft. A unitary assembly includes the front engine accessory drive, the gearbox, and the expander, and the unitary assembly is removable from the engine as a unitary component.

Waste heat recovery power drive

Integrated cooling systems including a frame configured for mounting to a vehicle chassis in a path of ram air entering an engine compartment of a vehicle, a radiator connected to the frame in the ram air path, a waste heat recovery (WHR) condenser, a recouperator connected to the frame above a ram air path and coupled to the WHR condenser, and a coolant boiler connected to the frame below the ram air path and coupled to the radiator and recouperator are disclosed. Cooling systems configured for use in a WHR system, including an inlet header fixedly disposed on a first end of a condenser, the inlet header fluidly coupled to a heat exchanger to receive the working fluid, and a receiver fixedly disposed on a second end of the condenser opposite the first end, the receiver configured to receive the working fluid from the condenser are also disclosed.

Waste heat recovery integrated cooling module

A lubrication system and method for an engine arc provided. In some embodiments, the lubrication method comprises driving a lube pump with a gearbox in a power drive housing, the gearbox including an expander shaft of an expander of a waste heat recovery system; suctioning lubrication fluid, with the lube pump, from a lube sump in the power drive housing; lubricating, with the lubrication fluid, an expander shall bearing supporting the expander; and after lubricating the expander shall bearing, transferring the lubrication fluid to the lube sump waste heat recovery power drive and lubrication system therefor.

Lubrication system for waste heat recovery gear box

A lubrication system and method for an engine are provided. In some embodiments, the lubrication method comprises driving a lube pump with a gearbox in a power drive housing, the gearbox including an expander shaft of an expander of a waste heat recovery system; suctioning lubrication fluid, with the lube pump, from a lube sump in the power drive housing; lubricating, with the lubrication fluid, an expander shaft bearing supporting the expander; and after lubricating the expander shaft bearing, transferring the lubrication fluid to the lube sump.waste heat recovery power drive and lubrication system therefor.

Growing community of inventors

Carmel, IN, United States of America

Nimish Bagayatkar