Apparatus and method for utilizing the waste heat of an internal combustion engine

A method and a device for utilization of waste heat of an internal combustion engine (2) having a thermodynamic working group (4) in which circulates a working medium, wherein in the flow direction of the working medium, a pump (6), at least one heat exchanger (8), at least one expansion machine (10) and at least one capacitor (12), said generated by the expansion machine (10) mechanical energy selectively to a drive train (23) and / or at least one additional mechanically drivable component (25) is transmitted.