Energy recovery system for machine with cylinder activation and deactivation system

Abstract

An energy recovery system for a machine with a cylinder activation and deactivation system is disclosed. The energy recovery system can include a first cylinder group circuit including a first pump, a first condenser, a first turbine, and a first flow path. The first flow path can be connected in fluid communication with the first pump, the first condenser, and the first turbine. The energy recovery system can additionally include a second cylinder group circuit including a second pump, a second condenser, a second turbine, and a second flow path. The second flow path can be connected in fluid communication with the second pump, the second condenser, and the second turbine. The first flow path can be in thermal communication with a first group of cylinders of the machine, and the second flow path can be in thermal communication with a second group of cylinders of the machine. The machine can include a cylinder activation and deactivation system configured to deactivate at least one of the first group of cylinders and the second group of cylinders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy recovery system for a machine, comprising:
 a first cylinder group circuit including a first pump, a first condenser, a first turbine, and a first flow path, the first flow path connected in fluid communication with the first pump, the first condenser, and the first turbine;   a second cylinder group circuit including a second pump, a second condenser, a second turbine, and a second flow path, the second flow path connected in fluid communication with the second pump, the second condenser, and the second turbine;   the first flow path in thermal communication with a first group of cylinders of the machine;   the second flow path in thermal communication with a second group of cylinders of the machine; and   wherein the machine includes a cylinder activation and deactivation system configured to deactivate at least one of the first group of cylinders and the second group of cylinders.   
     
     
         2 . The energy recovery system of  claim 1  wherein the first cylinder group circuit is a closed loop circuit and the second cylinder group circuit is a closed loop circuit, wherein the first cylinder group circuit is fluidly separate from the second cylinder group circuit. 
     
     
         3 . The energy recovery system of  claim 2  wherein the first turbine is fluidly integrated in the first flow path downstream of the first group of cylinders, the first condenser is fluidly integrated in the first flow path downstream of the first turbine, and the first pump is fluidly integrated in the first flow path downstream of the first condenser and upstream of the first group of cylinders. 
     
     
         4 . The energy recovery system of  claim 3  wherein the second turbine is fluidly integrated in the second flow path downstream of the second group of cylinders, the second condenser is fluidly integrated in the second flow path downstream of the second turbine, and the second pump is fluidly integrated in the second flow path downstream of the second condenser and upstream of the second group of cylinders. 
     
     
         5 . The energy recovery system of  claim 4  wherein the first cylinder group circuit is configured to be deactivated in response to the deactivation of the first group of cylinders. 
     
     
         6 . The energy recovery system of  claim 5  wherein the second cylinder group circuit is configured to be deactivated in response to the deactivation of the second group of cylinders. 
     
     
         7 . The energy recovery system of  claim 6  wherein the first turbine is connected to transmit mechanical energy to a first power component and the second turbine is connected to transmit mechanical energy to a second power component. 
     
     
         8 . The energy recovery system of  claim 6  wherein the first turbine and the second turbine are each selectively connected to transmit mechanical energy to a common power component. 
     
     
         9 . The energy recovery system of  claim 6  wherein the first group of cylinders and the second group of cylinders are included in an engine manifold of an engine of the machine. 
     
     
         10 . The energy recovery system of  claim 9  wherein the first flow path includes a first cylinder flow path portion, wherein the first cylinder flow path portion is aligned with an array of cylinders included in the first group of cylinders. 
     
     
         11 . The energy recovery system of  claim 10  wherein the second flow path includes a second cylinder flow path portion, wherein the second cylinder flow path portion is aligned with an array of cylinders included in the second group of cylinders. 
     
     
         12 . The energy recovery system of  claim 6  wherein the first group of cylinders is included in an engine block of a first engine of the machine and the second group of cylinders is included in an engine block of a second engine of the machine. 
     
     
         13 . An energy recovery system for a machine, comprising:
 a first cylinder group circuit configured to direct a first working fluid along a first flow path in fluid communication with a first pump, a first condenser and a first turbine;   the first cylinder group circuit configured to direct the first working fluid along the first flow path in thermal communication with a first group of cylinders of the machine downstream of the first pump and upstream of the first turbine;   a second cylinder group circuit configured to direct a second working fluid along a second flow path in fluid communication with a second pump, a second condenser and a second turbine;   the second cylinder group circuit configured to direct the second working fluid along the second flow path in thermal communication with a second group of cylinders of the machine downstream of the second pump and upstream of the second turbine; and   the machine including a cylinder activation and deactivation system configured to activate and deactivate at least one of the first group of cylinders and the second group of cylinders.   
     
     
         14 . The energy recovery system of  claim 13  wherein the first cylinder group circuit is configured to be selectively activated and deactivated in response to the activation and deactivation of the first group of cylinders. 
     
     
         15 . The energy recovery system of  claim 14  wherein the first cylinder group circuit is configured to be selectively activated and deactivated in response to one or more operating modes of the machine. 
     
     
         16 . The energy recovery system of  claim 15  wherein the one or more modes of the machine include at least one of a low speed drive mode, a low speed implement actuation drive mode, a low speed/high torque drive mode, a low speed/low torque mode, an engine idle/standby mode, a high speed drive mode, a high speed/high torque mode, a high speed/low torque mode, a high performance drive mode, a fuel economy drive mode, a retarding drive mode, and an engine braking drive mode. 
     
     
         17 . The energy recovery system of  claim 13  wherein the second cylinder group circuit is configured to be selectively activated and deactivated in response to the activation and deactivation of the second group of cylinders. 
     
     
         18 . The energy recovery system of  claim 17  wherein the second cylinder group circuit is configured to be selectively activated and deactivated in response to one or more operating modes of the machine. 
     
     
         19 . The energy recovery system of  claim 18  wherein the one or more modes of the machine include at least one of a low speed drive mode, a low speed implement actuation drive mode, a low speed/high torque drive mode, a low speed/low torque mode, an engine idle/standby mode, a high speed drive mode, a high speed/high torque mode, a high speed/low torque mode, a high performance drive mode, a fuel economy drive mode, a retarding drive mode, and an engine braking drive mode. 
     
     
         20 . A method of generating energy from a machine comprising the steps of:
 directing a first working fluid in thermal communication with a first group of cylinders of the machine via a first pump along a first flow path in response to the activation of the first group of cylinders;   employing the first working fluid to power a first turbine operably connected with the first working fluid downstream of the first group of cylinders;   condensing the first working fluid along the first flow path for reuse;   directing a second working fluid in thermal communication with a second group of cylinders of the machine via a second pump along a second flow path in response to the activation of the first group of cylinders; and   employing the second working fluid to power a second turbine operably connected with the second working fluid downstream of the second group of cylinders; and   condensing the second working fluid along the second flow path for reuse.