Miniaturized waste heat engine

Abstract

Various embodiments of a converter for use in a combustion engine having a discharge conduit for discharging exhaust combustion gases are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the converter may include a heating chamber being in thermal contact with the discharge conduit and defining a hydraulic channel through which a fluid passes. The converter may also include an inlet port disposed in the heating chamber for receiving the fluid into the heating chamber, and an outlet port disposed in the heating chamber for discharging the fluid from the heating chamber. The heat energy from the exhaust combustion gases is transferred to the fluid while the fluid passes through the hydraulic channel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat energy converter comprising:
 a heating chamber in thermal contact with exhaust fluid discharged from an engine;   a hydraulic channel through which a working fluid passes;   an inlet port disposed in the heating chamber that receives the working fluid into the heating chamber;   a check valve disposed in the inlet port that prevents backflow of the working fluid from the heating chamber; and   an outlet port disposed in the heating chamber that discharges the working fluid from the heating chamber,   wherein the hydraulic channel transfers heat energy from the exhaust fluid to the working fluid while the working fluid passes through the hydraulic channel.   
     
     
         2 . The converter of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of surface extensions in the heating chamber that increase a residence time of the working fluid within the hydraulic channel. 
     
     
         3 . The converter of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surface extensions comprise a plurality of fins extending from a surface of the heating chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The converter of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of surface extensions comprise a plurality of structural fins extending along at least a portion of the heating chamber, the structural fins defining the hydraulic channel. 
     
     
         5 . The converter of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the plurality of surface extensions extend across an internal surface and an external surface of the heating chamber, and   the external surface of the heating chamber serves as an internal surface of an insulation chamber.   
     
     
         6 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the heating chamber receives the working fluid in a liquid state,   the heat energy from the exhaust fluid converts the liquid state to a vapor state, and   the heating chamber discharges the working fluid in the vapor state.   
     
     
         7 . The converter of  claim 1 , further comprising an insulation chamber including an access valve that fills, empties, or vents the insulation chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The converter of  claim 7 , wherein the access valve comprises a movable fin. 
     
     
         9 . The converter of  claim 7 , wherein the insulation chamber maintains a vacuum. 
     
     
         10 . The converter of  claim 1 , wherein the heating chamber comprises a cylindrical body substantially enclosing a portion of a discharge conduit that discharges the exhaust fluid from the engine.