Thermo-electric power plant with asymmetric exhaust system

Patent 5857336 Issued on January 12, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 3, 2016. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Energy recovery apparatus for turbo compound engine Patent #: 4756377
Issued on: 07/12/1988
Inventor: Kawamura , et al.

Inventors

Application

No. 642390 filed on 05/03/1996

US Classes:

60/597FLUID MOTOR MEANS DRIVEN BY WASTE HEAT OR BY EXHAUST ENERGY FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Examiners

Primary: Koczo, Michael

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Bielen, Peterson & Lampe

Foreign Patent References

60-135616 JP 07/12/1985
63-9616 JP 01/12/1988

International Classes

F02B 037/00
F02B 041/10

Abstract

A power plant system particularly useful for hybrid vehicles driven by electric motors, the power plant system including a positive displacement engine with a bifurcated exhaust forming first and second exhaust passages for expansion gases, each passage being separately controlled by an independently operated engine exhaust valve, the first exhaust passage supplying expansion gases to a turbine connected to a compressor delivering compressed air to the engine and the second exhaust passage supplying expansion gases to a turbine connected to an electric generator, the power plant system having a system control module independently controlling each exhaust valve for optimum air compression for the load and speed of engine operation.