System and method for energy recovery

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an energy recovery system for a vehicle powered by an engine. The energy recovery system includes a thermoelectric module which is interfaced with a heat source of the vehicle. The heat source generates waste heat. Further, the waste heat provides a high temperature heat source for the thermoelectric module. A low temperature heat source is also interfaced with the thermoelectric module. A temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source generates thermoelectric power. A controller is configured to control a parameter of the engine to maintain an optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy recovery system for a vehicle powered by an engine comprising:
 a thermoelectric module interfaced with a heat source of the vehicle, wherein the heat source generates waste heat, and wherein the waste heat provides a high temperature heat source for the thermoelectric module;   a low temperature heat source interfaced with the thermoelectric module, wherein a temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source produces a thermoelectric power; and   a controller configured to control a parameter of the engine to maintain an optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source.   
     
     
         2 . The energy recovery system of  claim 1 , wherein the parameter of the engine includes an engine speed. 
     
     
         3 . The energy recovery system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to determine an optimal value of the engine speed to attain the optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source based on an electrical power requirement of the vehicle. 
     
     
         4 . The energy recovery system of  claim 3 , wherein the electrical power requirement of the vehicle includes a drive power requirement associated with a drive system of the vehicle and an auxiliary power requirement associated with an auxiliary system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The energy recovery system of  claim 4 , wherein controller is further configured to determine whether the drive power requirement is above a predetermined threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to route at least a portion of the thermoelectric power to the drive system when the drive power requirement is equal to or above the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The energy recovery system of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to route the thermoelectric power to the auxiliary system when the drive power requirement is below the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The energy recovery system of  claim 4 , wherein the drive power requirement is indicated by a throttle position, and wherein the predetermined threshold of the drive power requirement is based on a predetermined throttle position. 
     
     
         8 . The energy recovery system of  claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary system includes an energy storage system. 
     
     
         9 . A locomotive powered by an engine comprising:
 a heat source generating waste heat;   a thermoelectric module interfaced with the heat source, wherein the waste heat provides a high temperature heat source for the thermoelectric module;   a low temperature heat source interfaced with the thermoelectric module, wherein a temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source produces a thermoelectric power; and   a controller configured to control a parameter of the engine to maintain an optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source.   
     
     
         10 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the parameter of the engine includes an engine speed. 
     
     
         11 . The locomotive of  claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to determine an optimal value of the engine speed to attain the optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source based on an electrical power requirement of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The locomotive of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical power requirement of the vehicle includes a drive power requirement associated with a drive system of the vehicle and an auxiliary power requirement associated with an auxiliary system of the vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The locomotive of  claim 12 , wherein controller is further configured to determine whether the drive power requirement is above a predetermined threshold, and wherein the controller is configured to route at least a portion of the thermoelectric power to the drive system when the drive power requirement is equal to or above the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The locomotive system of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is further configured to route the thermoelectric power to the auxiliary system when the drive power requirement is below the predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The locomotive of  claim 12 , wherein the drive power requirement is indicated by a throttle position, and wherein the predetermined threshold of the drive power requirement is based on a predetermined throttle position. 
     
     
         16 . The locomotive of  claim 12 , wherein the auxiliary system includes an energy storage system. 
     
     
         17 . A method of energy recovery in a vehicle powered by an engine, the method comprising:
 interfacing a thermoelectric module with a heat source of the vehicle, wherein the heat source generates waste heat; and wherein the waste heat provides a high temperature heat source for the thermoelectric module;   interfacing a low temperature heat source with the thermoelectric module, wherein a temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and low temperature heat source produces a thermoelectric power; and   controlling a parameter of the engine to maintain an optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the parameter of the engine include an engine speed, the method further comprising:
 determining an electrical power requirement of the vehicle; and   determining an optimal value of the engine speed to attain the optimal value of the temperature difference between the high temperature heat source and the low temperature heat source based on the power requirement of the vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the electrical power requirement of the vehicle includes a drive power requirement associated with a drive system of the vehicle and an auxiliary power requirement associated with an auxiliary system of the vehicle, the method further comprising:
 determining whether the drive power requirement is above a predetermined threshold; and   routing at least a portion of the thermoelectric power to the drive system when the drive power requirement is equal to or above the predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising:
 routing the thermoelectric power to the auxiliary system when the drive power requirement is below the predetermined threshold.