METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE WASTE HEAT RECOVERY SYSTEM AT A PREDICTED DOWNHILL SLOPE

• Main Authors: JOHANSSON, Björn, HÖCKERDAL, Erik, TIMREN, Thomas
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 22.08.2019
• Subjects: BLASTING; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES; GAS-FLOW SILENCERS OR EXHAUST APPARATUS FOR MACHINES ORENGINES IN GENERAL; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ENGINES; WEAPONS

Provided is a method for controlling a waste heat recovery system associated with a powertrain of a vehicle, the powertrain comprising a combustion engine and a gearbox connected to the combustion engine, the waste heat recovery system comprising a working fluid circuit; an evaporator; an expander; a condenser; a reservoir for a working fluid and a pump arranged to pump the working fluid through the circuit, wherein the evaporator is arranged for heat exchange between the working fluid and at least one heat source, wherein the waste heat recovery system further comprises a cooling circuit arranged in connection to the condenser, and wherein the expander is mechanically connected to the powertrain. The method comprises the steps of: predicting a downhill slope which will require braking of the vehicle; reducing the temperature of the evaporator to a predetermined temperature; and turning off the pump and thus the waste heat recovery system.