Internal combustion engine and waste heat recovery system

• Main Author: CRAIG ROBERT ARTHUR LANCASTER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.07.2013
• Subjects: BLASTING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; COMBUSTION ENGINES; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES ORENGINES IN GENERAL; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; HOT GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT ENGINEPLANTS; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAMTURBINES; NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; STEAM ENGINES; USE OF WASTE HEAT OF COMBUSTION ENGINES; WEAPONS

Disclosed is an engine assembly comprising an internal combustion engine and a heat exchanger waste heat recovery system operating using a Rankine cycle. The waste heat recovery system 22 is configured to direct refrigerant around a loop which comprises a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from engine exhaust gases to the refrigerant such that the refrigerant is vaporised. A turbine 52 is configured to receive and be driven by the vaporised refrigerant. A condenser 44 is configured to cool and condense the refrigerant for subsequent delivery in liquid form to the heat exchanger. The turbine comprises a turbine wheel connected to a shaft 54 which is held in a shaft housing 62, a bearing 64 is provided between the shaft 54 and the shaft housing 62 and is lubricated by the liquid refrigerant used to power the turbine. Squeeze film dampers, which may take the form of axial projections 82a-d, utilise the liquid refrigerant and are provided between the bearing and the shaft housing to damp vibration of the turbine shaft. The engine assembly may also include a turbocharger.