System and method for storing thermal energy as auxiliary power in a vehicle

Abstract

There is provided a controller for a heat capture and storage system configured to capture and store energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust. The controller includes a plurality of inputs, a plurality of outputs, and at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing within the memory instructions executable by the at least one processor. The controller is configured by execution of the instructions stored in the memory to: receive signals at one or more of the plurality of inputs, the signals representing at least one operating parameter of the heat capture and storage system; and based on at least one operating parameter, generate signals at one or more of the plurality of outputs for controlling at least one component of the heat capture and storage system to capture and store the energy from the heat expelled in the engine exhaust.

1 . A controller for a heat capture and storage system configured to capture and store energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the controller comprising a plurality of inputs, a plurality of outputs, and at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing within the memory instructions executable by the at least one processor, the controller configured by execution of the instructions stored in the memory to:
 receive signals at one or more of the plurality of inputs, the signals representing at least one operating parameter of the heat capture and storage system; and   based on at least one operating parameter, generate signals at one or more of the plurality of outputs for controlling at least one component of the heat capture and storage system to capture and store the energy from the heat expelled in the engine exhaust.   
     
     
         2 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled, by way of at least one of the signals at one or more of the plurality of outputs, to an operating mode control valve included in the heat capture and storage system, and the controller is configured to switch the heat capture and storage system between a heat storage mode and a cold storage mode by controlling a flow path through the operating mode control valve. 
     
     
         3 . The controller of  claim 2 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating a temperature, and the controller is configured to switch the heat capture and storage system between the heat storage mode and the cold storage mode in response to that signal. 
     
     
         4 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one component controlled by the controller comprises at least one of an exhaust diverter valve, an operating mode control valve, a fluid pump, a cooling fan, or a charge controller. 
     
     
         5 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled, by way of at least one of the signals at one or more of the plurality of outputs, to an exhaust diverter valve included in the heat capture and storage system, and the controller is configured to control the exhaust diverter valve to divert at least a part of the engine exhaust away from a generator of the heat capture and storage system. 
     
     
         6 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating at least one of a temperature and a pressure in the heat capture and storage system, and the controller is configured to control the exhaust diverter valve in response to that signal. 
     
     
         7 . The controller of  claim 5 , wherein the controller is configured to detect a fault condition of the heat capture and storage system based on the signal indicating at least one of a temperature and a pressure in the heat capture and storage system. 
     
     
         8 . The controller of  claim 7 , wherein the controller is configured to control the exhaust diverter valve to divert substantially all the engine exhaust away from the generator in response to detecting the fault condition. 
     
     
         9 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled, by way of at least one of the signals at one or more of the plurality of outputs, to one or more pumps configured to circulate a solution carrying thermal energy through the heat capture and storage system, and the controller is configured to control a speed of the one or more pumps. 
     
     
         10 . The controller of  claim 9 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating a temperature, and the controller is configured to control the speed of the pump to meet a specified temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The controller of  claim 9 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating a pressure, and the controller is configured to control the speed of the one or more pumps to meet a specified pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The controller of  claim 9 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating a liquid level in the heat capture and storage system, and the controller is configured to control the speed of the pump to meet a specified liquid level. 
     
     
         13 . The controller of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is coupled, by way of at least one of the signals at one or more of the plurality of outputs, to a fan included in the heat capture and storage system, and the controller is configured to control a speed of the fan to control a cooling rate of solution carrying thermal energy in the heat capture and storage system. 
     
     
         14 . The controller of  claim 13 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating a temperature, and the controller is configured to control the speed of the fan to meet a specified temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The controller of  claim 13 , wherein the signals received at the one or more of the plurality of inputs include a signal indicating a pressure, and the controller is configured to control the speed of the fan to meet a specified pressure. 
     
     
         16 . A processor-implemented method of controlling a heat capture and storage system configured to capture and store energy from heat expelled in engine exhaust, the method comprising:
 receive, at least one processor, operating signals representing at least one operating parameter of the heat capture and storage system; and   generating, at the at least one processor, control signals for controlling at least one component of the heat capture and storage system based on the at least operating parameter.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the control signals include a signal for controlling an operating mode control valve included in the heat capture and storage system to cause the heat capture and storage system to switch between a heat storage mode and a cold storage mode. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the control signals include a signal for controlling an exhaust diverter valve included in the heat capture and storage system to divert at least a part of the engine exhaust away from a generator of the heat capture and storage system. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the control signals include a signal for controlling a pump configured to circulate a solution carrying thermal energy through the heat capture and storage system. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein controlling the pump includes controlling a speed of the pump to meet a specified temperature. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein controlling the pump includes controlling a speed of the pump to meet a specified pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein controlling the pump includes controlling a speed of the pump to meet a specified liquid level in the heat capture and storage system. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the control signals include a signal for controlling a fan included in the heat capture and storage system to control a cooling rate of solution carrying thermal energy in the heat capture and storage system.