Abstract: Disclosed is a switching valve having a small contact resistance when a valve body moves along a seating surface of a housing. In a switching valve which includes a valve body, coming into contact with a seating surface of a housing having a plurality of ports and selectively communicating at least two ports of the plurality of ports, and applies a fluid pressure to a back surface of the valve body, the switching valve includes a biasing member configured for biasing the valve body in a direction in which the valve body is moved away from the seating surface of the housing.

Abstract: A switching valve device for switching an intermediate flow path through which a fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet includes: a first valve which switches a flow path extending from the inlet to one of two flow paths; and a second valve which is provided on a downstream side of the first valve and switches the intermediate flow path by a differential pressure generated by depressurization in an external flow path Lout connected to the intermediate flow path connected to one of the two flow paths.

Abstract: A switching valve device for switching an intermediate flow path through which a fluid flows from an inlet to an outlet includes: a first valve which switches a flow path extending from the inlet to one of two flow paths; and a second valve which is provided on a downstream side of the first valve and switches the intermediate flow path by a differential pressure generated by depressurization in an external flow path Lout connected to the intermediate flow path connected to one of the two flow paths.

Abstract: A waste heat utilization apparatus of a first embodiment includes a driving system including an engine and a turbocharger supplying pressurized air to the engine, and a Rankine cycle system used for the driving system. The Rankine cycle system includes a coolant boiler causing heat exchange between coolant as heating medium and working fluid, and a pressurized air boiler causing heat exchange between the pressurized air as heating medium and the working fluid. A first bypass channel for allowing the working fluid to bypass the coolant boiler and a three-way valve are provided in the Rankine cycle system. In the waste heat utilization apparatus, the amount of heat absorbed in the working fluid in the coolant boiler can be reduced by flowing the working fluid into the first bypass channel.

Abstract: In a waste-heat recovery system, a gear pump and an electric motor share a drive shaft. A pump interior portion and a motor interior portion are partitioned from each other by a shaft seal, and the pump interior portion defines a part of a circulation path of a Rankine cycle circuit. One end of a communication path that is communicated to the motor interior portion is connected to a bottom portion of a housing, and the other end of the communication path is connected to the circulation path at a position between an expander and a condenser in the Rankine cycle circuit.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle where, in a circulation path of a working fluid, a heat exchanger exchanging heat between the working fluid and a heat medium, an expander, a condensing unit and a pumping device are provided in order, includes a temperature detector detecting the temperature of the working fluid flowing out of the heat exchanger, a pressure detector detecting the pressure of the working fluid flowing through the heat exchanger, a flow rate adjusting unit for adjusting the working fluid flow rate to the heat exchanger and a control device controlling the adjusting unit. The control device controls to change the temperature and pressure of the working fluid sucked into the expander while satisfying the relationship along the target pressure line TPL where the target pressure is set to increase the working fluid density following the increase in the working fluid temperature.

Abstract: In a configuration in which a first shaft portion configured to drive a pump mechanism and a second shaft portion configured to drive an expansion mechanism are coupled to each other, a Rankine cycle system which is capable of continuing the circulation of working fluid by an expansion machine even when the pump mechanism is locked is provided. This Rankine cycle system of the invention employs a pump and an expansion machine coupled in a tandem manner. A first shaft of the pump and a second shaft of the expansion machine are concentric and the first shaft is capable of transmitting power to the second shaft. A pump torque limiter is provided between the first shaft and a main gear. A one-way clutch is provided between a sensing shaft and the second shaft.

Abstract: A scroll expander includes a housing, a main port, a high-pressure chamber, an operation chamber, a low-pressure chamber, a subport, a valve portion, an actuator, and a drive shaft. The high-pressure and low-pressure chambers are separated by a partition wall. The main port draws working fluid in the high-pressure chamber into the operation chamber. The subport introduces the working fluid from the high-pressure chamber to the operation chamber so that the volume of the working fluid in the operation chamber is variable. The valve portion selectively opens and closes the subport. The actuator is arranged in the low-pressure chamber. The drive shaft extends through the partition wall and connects the actuator and the valve portion with each other. When the drive shaft is actuated by the actuator, the subport is selectively opened and closed by the valve portion.

Abstract: When a detection value of a temperature sensor exceeds a set temperature, an ECU increases an opening of a sub-port by controlling a solenoid valve, and as a result, an intake volume of an expander increases. The ECU then adjusts the mass flow rate of a coolant flowing through a boiler so that a detection value of a pressure sensor indicates a pressure as close as possible to an upper limit pressure, on condition that an upper limit temperature is not exceeded.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle circuit is constituted by an expander, which forms a fluid machine, a condenser, a gear pump, which forms a fluid machine, and a boiler. A discharge passage is connected to a discharge chamber of a pump chamber. A branch passage is connected to the discharge passage, and a restriction passage is provided at the end of the branch passage. The restriction passage is open to an internal space K in a generator housing. An outflow passage extends through a partition wall of a center housing member and a side plate. The internal space K in which an alternator is located communicates with an outlet chamber through the outflow passage.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is for use with a power unit that includes an internal combustion engine. The waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle device in which working fluid circulates through a pump, a boiler, an expander and then through a condenser, heat exchange occurs in the boiler between the working fluid and intake fluid that is introduced into the internal combustion engine while being cooled, a determination device for determining required cooling load for the intake fluid, a pressure reducing device for reducing evaporation pressure in the Rankine cycle device, and a controller for controlling the pressure reducing device so as to reduce the evaporation pressure below a predetermined evaporation pressure if the required cooling load determined by the determination device exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle device in which working fluid circulates through a pump, a boiler, an expander and then through a heat exchanging device, heat exchange occurs in the boiler between the working fluid and intake fluid that is introduced into an internal combustion engine while being cooled. The heat exchanging device includes a condenser condensing the working fluid, a receiver connected downstream of the condenser and storing liquid-phase working fluid, a subcooler connected downstream of the receiver and subcooling the liquid-phase working fluid, and a selector device serving to change the ratio of the condenser to the subcooler. The waste heat recovery system further includes a determination device for determining required cooling load for the intake fluid, and a controller for controlling the selector device depending on the required cooling load determined by the determination device.

Abstract: A waste heat regeneration system includes a pump, a coolant boiler, an exhaust gas boiler, an expander, a condenser, a gas-liquid separator and a supercooler. A flow control valve maintains a temperature difference (T1-T2) at a predetermined value or less by adjusting the amount of an operating fluid which flows in a bypass flow path through the control of an opening degree based on a pressure difference (P1-P2) corresponding to the temperature difference (T1-T2) between the temperature (T1) of the operating fluid on the upstream side of the supercooler and the temperature (T2) of the operating fluid on the downstream side thereof. Accordingly, the degree of supercooling is prevented from becoming excessive and the waste heat regeneration efficiency of a Rankine cycle device can be maintained.

Abstract: A waste heat regeneration system includes a pump, a coolant boiler, an exhaust gas boiler, an expander, a first condenser, a gas/liquid separator, and a supercooler. A first flow control valve adjusts the amount of an operating fluid circulating in a first bypass flow path by controlling its opening degree based on a pressure difference P1?P2 corresponding to a temperature difference T1?T2 between the temperature T1 of the operating fluid on the upstream side of the supercooler and the temperature T2 of the operating fluid on the downstream side thereof, thereby maintaining the temperature difference T1?T2 so as to be larger than or equal to a predetermined value necessary for preventing the generation of cavitation in the pump, and ensuring the degree of supercooling.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery mechanism and a waste heat recovery apparatus generate electricity even when an expander, which is coupled to a combustion engine outputting rotational drive force, is locked. The waste heat recovery mechanism includes an alternator having a rotary shaft, which is coupled to and driven to rotate by a combustion engine, and an expander having an output shaft, which is coupled to the rotary shaft of the alternator. The output shaft applies a rotational drive force to the rotary shaft, thereby assisting rotation of the rotary shaft. A torque limiter is located between the rotary shaft of the alternator and the output shaft of the expander.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Rankine cycle apparatus that is mounted in a vehicle and includes a Rankine cycle circuit and a refrigeration cycle circuit. The Rankine cycle circuit and the refrigeration cycle circuit each include a condenser for cooling a corresponding type of working fluid and a receiver, which is connected to the condenser. The two condensers are arranged side by side in the upward-downward direction and each have a first end and a second end in the vehicle width direction. A first receiver, which is one of the receivers, is arranged outward of the first end in the vehicle width direction. A second receiver, which is the other one of the receivers, is located outward of the second end in the vehicle width direction.

Abstract: When a detection value of a temperature sensor exceeds a set temperature, an ECU increases an opening of a sub-port by controlling a solenoid valve, and as a result, an intake volume of an expander increases. The ECU then adjusts the mass flow rate of a coolant flowing through a boiler so that a detection value of a pressure sensor indicates a pressure as close as possible to an upper limit pressure, on condition that an upper limit temperature is not exceeded.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle apparatus includes a circuit having a pump for working fluid, a heat exchanger for causing heat exchange between the working fluid and fluid supplied from an exhaust heat source, and an expanding portion that expands the working fluid that has been exposed to the heat exchange to produce mechanical energy. The expanding portion includes a fixed scroll, a movable scroll that orbits with respect to the fixed scroll, and a back pressure chamber arranged at the side corresponding to a backside of the movable scroll opposite to the surface facing the fixed scroll. The Rankine cycle apparatus further includes an inlet mechanism for introducing the working fluid from a high pressure zone that extends from the outlet side of the pump to the inlet of the heat exchanger to the back pressure chamber to produce back pressure that presses the movable scroll against the fixed scroll.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system mounted on a vehicle has a Rankine cycle circuit through which working fluid circulates, a power generator, a power storage and a controller. The Rankine cycle circuit includes a fluid expansion device, a fluid transferring device, first and second passages, a heater, a cooling device, a bypass passage and a flow regulating valve. The bypass passage connects the first passage to the second passage. The flow regulating valve is provided in the bypass passage for opening and closing the bypass passage. The power generator converts the work generated by the fluid expansion device into electric power. The controller monitors charge rate of the electric power charged in the power storage and controls an operation of the flow regulating valve based on the monitored charge rate. The controller causes the flow regulating valve to be opened when the monitored charge rate is greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system mounted on a vehicle includes a Rankine cycle circuit, a pressure detector, a temperature detector and a controller. The Rankine cycle circuit includes a fluid expansion device, a fluid transferring device, first and second passages, a heater, a cooling device, a bypass passage and a flow regulating valve. The bypass passage connects the first passage and the second passage, and in which the flow regulating valve is provided for opening and closing the bypass passage. The controller is connected to the flow regulating valve for controlling an operation of the flow regulating valve and to the pressure and temperature detectors and for receiving signals of pressure and temperature from the pressure and temperature detectors, respectively. The controller controls the operation of the flow regulating valve based on a superheat degree of the working fluid calculated from the signals of the pressure and temperature.