doi: 10.23255/THESTEAM.2024.1.2.147 Citation BibTeX RIS Mendeley

The heat engine recovery system

열 엔진 회수 시스템

• Samiran Muli (Texas A&M University, USA)
• Aarnav Shah (Texas A&M University, USA)

Hybrid electric vehicles and vehicles generally waste a lot of energy in the form of heat. This problem is usually solved using bulky engine cooling systems, often using fans and engine coolant that must be replaced. Through thorough research of heat engines and the prototyping a new engine cooling component, LEAF (Lightweight Engine Automatic Fan) aims to reduce heat energy waste in the form of heat produced by hybrid electric vehicles. LEAF team uses the heat differential between the inside and outside of the vehicle to generate electrical energy. This is possible with thermoelectric power generators, which use semiconductors with a temperature differential to generate electricity. Team LEAF used the 4Dframe Kit to design a wireframe of the product before using electronics to prove the viability of a heat engine under the given conditions. The product will sit near the outlet of the catalytic converter and should be built to fit most hybrid vehicles. In addition to creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly product, the design will inspire more school-aged children to get involved in STEAM by using simple materials such as the 4Dframe to improve upon and invent new machines. Team LEAF aims to prove that heat engines may be the solution to reducing energy waste and bulky cooling systems in hybrid electric vehicles.