Power coupling for free piston engine

Abstract

A linear electromechanical system comprising: a stator comprising at least a first stator electronic circuit and a second stator electronic circuit or circuit set; a free piston mover movable in a reciprocating manner relative to the stator. The free piston comprising: a piston surface; a transducer configured such that an electromagnetic force is applicable on the free piston mover by one or more of the stator electronic circuits or one or more of the circuit set; and one or more transducer electronic circuits. The system further comprising a switching device for each of the first stator electronic circuit and the second stator electronic circuit or each of the circuit set, such that the current in each of the first stator electronic circuit and the second stator electronic circuit or each of the circuit set is independently controllable, and wherein at least one of the transducer electronic circuits is configured to receive power from at least one of the independently controllable stator electronic circuits or at least one of the circuit set during at least part of a stroke of the free piston mover.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a free piston mover (FPM), which can typically be used as a piston in a conventional internal combustion engine, or as a converter in a linear electric motor (LEM), or as a piston in a linear thermofluid system (LTFS).

[0002] A linear power system (LPS) formed by combining at least one LEM and LTFS can be further incorporated into a free-piston linear generator (FPLG), a linear motor reciprocating compressor (LMRC), a free-piston gas expander (FPGE), a linear motor reciprocating pump (LMRP), or a linear motor reciprocating actuator (LMRA) or other types of linear power system products.

[0003] These various types of linear power system (LPS) products (each incorporating one or more FPMs) are well-known in themselves. In each case, there exist linear electromechanical systems and linear thermofluid systems coupled by the linear motion of a free piston mover.

[0004] Optimal system performance for this type of product typically requires a combination of efficiency, repeatability, accuracy, reliability, and (in the case of linear power systems incorporating multiple FPMs) synchronization. Optimal system performance often depends on precise control of the FPM motion.

[0005] The total potential market for FPM products exceeds $100 billion and 200 million units annually. Within this total potential market, the largest application is FPLG products, which have the potential to replace traditional internal combustion engines in automotive and distributed power generation applications.

[0006] To date, the commercial development of products incorporating FPM (Fuel-Motion Processing) remains limited because existing control methods and control systems for piston motion are insufficient to achieve optimal system performance. Experts in this field believe that piston motion control within products incorporating FPM is the most significant unresolved challenge hindering their widespread adoption.

[0007] Besides the control methods used to control the FPM within a linear electromechanical system (LEMS), two other limiting factors in the prior art also restrict the opportunity to utilize the benefits of LEM, particularly the adaptation of the response in the working chamber to the controllable motion of the LEM and the resulting compression ratio:

[0008] 1. Sensing of the following parameters: including but not limited to the position and velocity motion of the FPM (which can typically be mechanically disconnected via any fixed linkage); and the thermodynamic environment of the cylinder and its working chamber in which the TPM moves.

[0009] 2. Optimized combustion start-up (including but not limited to spark plug ignition) and efficient reaction of the fuel mixture in the working chamber.

[0010] According to the present invention, a linear electromechanical system is provided, comprising: a stator including at least a first stator electronic circuit and a second stator electronic circuit or circuit group; a free piston mover movable relative to the stator in a reciprocating motion manner, the free piston including: a piston surface; a transducer configured such that an electromagnetic force can be applied to the free piston mover by one or more of the stator electronic circuits or one or more of the circuit group; and one or more transducer electronic circuits (EElecCCT), the system further comprising switching means for each of the first stator electronic circuit and the second stator electronic circuit or each of the circuit group, such that the current in each of the first stator electronic circuit and the second stator electronic circuit or each of the circuit group is independently controllable, and wherein at least one of the transducer electronic circuits is configured to receive power from at least one of the independently controlled stator electronic circuits or at least one of the circuit group during at least a portion of the stroke of the free piston mover.

[0011] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0012] Figure 1 This is an external view showing an example of LPS with section AA and motion axis.

[0013] Figure 2 The section AA shows the FPM and key features of LEMS and LTFS.

[0014] Figure 3 It is section AA with additional details.

[0015] Figure 4 It is section AA, which shows additional details of the power transmission and receiving device, the combustion chamber sensor device, and the combustion start-up device.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a simplified rotated view of section AA.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a simplified rotated view of section AA, with FPM in an illustrative position as it moves through its travel.

[0018] Figure 7 It is an AA section showing the active scale, the associated sensors in the housing, and the housing-side control circuitry / subsystem / device.

[0019] Figure 8 It is an extension of section AA, with the addition of a simplified second piston and a common working chamber.

[0020] Figure 9 It shows Figure 8 Additional details include the air intake and exhaust ports.

[0021] Figure 10 It is shown that a second piston can be connected to the crankshaft to extract mechanical work.

[0022] Figure 11 It is a cross section AA with two FPMs sharing a common working cavity.

[0023] Figure 12 The diagram illustrates alternative schematics for embedded electronic circuit architectures.

[0024] Figure 13 The diagram illustrates the FPM journey, where BV represents the elapsed time and CV represents the location.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a simplified external view of the mechanical components of an example linear power system (LPS) 1, showing the free piston mover (FPM) motion axis (i.e., motion axis 2) and section AA.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view through plane AA, showing that in Figure 1 The depicted LPS example includes a free piston mover (FPM) 3 and key features of the linear electromechanical system (LEMS) and linear thermofluid system (LTFS), including the working chamber 4 of the LTFS. Many alternative LPS implementations, each including at least one LEMS and one LTFS, are possible. The LEMS includes a stator 5 and an LPS housing 6 defining a cylinder 8. In this example, the ends of the LPS housing are closed by housing end members 6a and 6b.

[0027] FPM 3 serves as a converter for LEMS. In the example shown, FPM 3 is opened at one end 3a to allow it to move over the fixed central core 7 as it moves within the cylinder 8 of the LPS housing 6. In this example, FPM 3 is closed at one end 3b, such that a working chamber 4 is formed within the cylinder 8 and between the cylinder end wall 8a of the LPS housing end member 6a and the closed end 3b of FPM 3. The closed end 3b facing the working chamber may be referred to as piston top 24 (for simplicity, piston top 24 may be part of the body of FPM 3, as in...). Figure 2 (as indicated in the instructions), or a separate attachment or sub-assembly attached to the FPM 3.

[0028] In LPS applications such as free-piston linear generators (also known as free-piston engines) or free-piston gas expanders, the working chamber 4 can be used to apply force to the closed end 3b of the FPM 3 by combustion, by introducing high-pressure gas, or by phase change. For clarity, associated features that may be included in these types of LPS (e.g., fuel and air supply, valves, and ignition features) are not shown.

[0029] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the example embodiment shown, two additional volumes 4a, 4b are defined between the central core 7 and the FPM 3 and at the open end of the FPM 3a. Each can serve as a rebound chamber, wherein pressure changes within these chambers 4a, 4b caused by the movement of the FPM 3 result in an energy exchange between the kinetic energy of the FPM 3 and the energy stored in the compressed gas within the rebound chambers 4a, 4b.

[0030] The FPM 3 is configured to include one or more magnetically conductive or magnetizing elements (not shown) that interact with the stator 5 to influence the current flowing within the stator 5 and generate or alter the linear electromagnetic force acting on the FPM 3.

[0031] When LPS1 is used as a linear motor or actuator, the electrical power input to stator 5 causes the FPM 3 to move. When LPS1 is used as a linear generator, the electrical power output from stator 5 is generated by the movement of the FPM 3.

[0032] When the working chamber 4 is used as a combustion chamber to convert fuel energy into mechanical work acting on the FPM 3, the performance of the LPS depends on the timing, rate, and completeness of the combustion reaction, as well as the emissions generated and retained in the working fluid after the reaction. The system performance of the LPS based on these characteristics depends to a large extent on the linear motion curve of the FPM 3 over time.

[0033] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 A further expanded view of the LPS. In Figure 2The omitted magnetically conductive or magnetizing element 20 is shown aligned with the stator 5. Features 20a and 20b in this example illustrate cross-sections of a ring through the same magnetically conductive material; however, 20a and 20b could alternatively be discrete elements. Similarly, in this example, 20c and 20d are rings of another magnetically conductive or permanent magnet material, but could alternatively be discrete elements. Where materials 20a / b and 20c / d are permanent magnet materials, these materials can be magnetized in different directions as indicated by the arrows. Although the arrows here indicate that they are in opposite polarities, the polarization axis can be at any angle and can indeed be rotated along the line of the cross-section of such magnetically conductive or magnetizing material at an angle of less than 180 degrees, and preferably less than 90 degrees.

[0034] Figure 3 The closed end 3b of the FPM 3 facing the working chamber (which may be referred to as piston top 24 for further discussion) is further illustrated. Piston top 24 may be a region of the main body of the FPM 3, or a separate attachment part or sub-assembly attached to the FPM 3.

[0035] Figure 3 The converter electronics, such as power receiving device 21, are further illustrated, and in this example, it is formed within or attached to FPM 3 as a coil surrounding the motion axis 2, whereby 21a and 21b represent cross-sections through the same coil having at least one turn of conductor. At least one power receiving device is configured to cooperate with at least one power transmitting device 23 located in LPS housing 6, whereby 23a and 23b represent cross-sections through the same coil having at least one turn of conductor. FPM 3 is shown at a position along the motion axis 2, with power transmitting device 23 and power receiving device 21 shown aligned to support power transmission, as in a transformer. Depending on the position of the FPM along the motion axis, power transmitting device 23 and power receiving device 21 may experience periods of misalignment and inability to exchange power during some or all of their travel; however, in alternative configurations, the designed geometry and FPM range of motion can facilitate continuous power exchange.

[0036] Figure 3 An energy storage device 22 on the FPM is also shown. The energy storage device 22 may be, for example, but not limited to, a capacitor, a supercapacitor (also known as a “supercapacitor”), or a battery or one or more battery cells.

[0037] Energy storage device 22 is configured to move with FPM 3, making power available throughout its travel (especially when power receiving device 21 is not currently coupled to power transmission device 23) to power the onboard combustion starter and the EElecCct, which includes sensors. Additionally, the energy storage device may be required to provide a high level of current to the EElecCct (especially, but not limited to, the combustion starter (not shown)).

[0038] When the FPM 3 is positioned along the LPS motion axis to align the energy transmission device with the energy receiving device, the coupled power can be supplied to the converter (thereby stimulating the onboard circuitry) and / or stored in the energy storage device 22.

[0039] Figure 4 The illustration shows a device with coil switching device 36 in Figure 3 The power transmission device 23 is shown, and a sensor device 27c and a combustion starter 25 recessed into the piston crown feature 26 are also illustrated. The sensor device 27c and the combustion starter 25 can be powered by a power coupling device according to the invention. The combustion starter 25 can be deployed in the piston crown 24 of the FPM 3 or on the piston crown 22. As described in the defining portion herein, various types of combustion starters 25 exist; in this example, the combustion starter 25 is illustrated as a spark plug device, in this case a J-type spark plug, which can be screwed into or clipped into the piston crown 24. Furthermore, the spark plug device is shown in the compression cup 26 feature of the piston crown 24. The combustion starter 25 is connected to other EEElecCcts, which may include an energy storage device 22 (not shown). Figure 12 The diagram illustrates an example covering two possible alternative architectures.

[0040] Figure 4 The illustration also shows the placement of sensor device 27, which can be deployed on or within the FPM 3. Three example locations of the sensor device are shown at 27a, 27b, and 27c.

[0041] The sensor device 27a located near the bounce chamber 4b (which is furthest from the piston top 24, and the piston top 24 is adjacent to the working chamber 4 where combustion or other thermal expansion events that may cause localized heating) can have a relatively low temperature environment. The sensor device 27a may include, but is not limited to, single-axis or multi-axis accelerometers, and this area may be, for example, a preferred area for deploying other EElectCcts (including digital and analog circuitry, microprocessors, memories, energy storage devices, data transmitters, data receivers, and other EElectCcts that can be flexibly deployed with respect to the FPM 3).

[0042] In the case where another location of 27a or EElectCct is a data transmitter and / or data receiver, it supports communication (preferably serial data communication) between the cooperating circuitry on the FPM 3 and the LPS housing 6 or the LPS housing end parts 6a, 6b. As discussed for the power transmission and power reception devices, these are preferably wireless due to the relative movement of the FPM and the LPS housing. Some aspects of the data transmitter and data receiver can be secondary functions of some aspects of the power transmission and power reception devices; for example, they can share a common coupling coil that is aligned with at least a portion of the LPM movement along the motion axis 2. There are many alternative implementations that can be adopted for data communication between the LPS housing and the FPM (as discussed with respect to the definition of the data transmitter and data receiver), for example, some can be aligned longitudinally to be parallel to the motion axis, thereby benefiting from line-of-sight alignment across the extension of one or the other bounce cavities 4a or 4b.

[0043] The sensor device 27b near the working chamber 4 may include, but is not limited to, a piston temperature sensor and other sensors that are particularly necessary in this area for functional reasons (e.g., to minimize the circuit path length of the high-current circuit that powers some types of combustion starters 25).

[0044] Similarly, sensor devices 27c (such as, but not limited to, a working chamber overall gas pressure sensor and a gas temperature sensor) may need to be deployed in the most unfavorable area of ​​the FPM close to the working chamber 4.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a simplified rotated view of section AA, showing the relationship with... Figure 3 The same feature, wherein the direction of motion axis 2 is shown as perpendicular to Figure 3 And with Figure 6 a, Figure 6 b and Figure 6 The view in c corresponds to this.

[0046] Figure 6 a, Figure 6 b and Figure 6 c is a simplified rotated view of section AA, where the FPM is in the illustrative position as it moves through the stroke. During this stroke, the power receiving coils 21a / 21b enter the... Figure 6 Stator 5 in b and maintained in Figure 6 Stator 5 in c.

[0047] Figure 7Section AA shows the active scale 40a, the associated sensors in the housing 39, and the housing-side control circuitry / subsystem / device (i.e., the fixed controller 37).

[0048] Figure 8 The diagram illustrates an earlier LPS, which is an LTFS, where the working chamber 4 is a combustion chamber, a common working chamber acting on the first FPM 3 and the second piston 28. The second piston 28 can be mechanically connected to extract mechanical work or can be coupled to a converter forming the second FPM. The advantage of this opposite piston engine (OPE) configuration is that the two movers share a common LPS housing 6 and cylinder 8. A well-designed OPE with efficient control offers the advantages of low vibration and low noise.

[0049] Figure 9 The diagram shows... Figure 8 The LTFS, with additional illustration of inlet port 29 and outlet port 30. Fuel enters the working chamber via inlet port 29, which may be a fuel injector or a valved interface, and is positioned toward piston LEM3. After the fuel expands and reacts, the resulting combustion gases are discharged via outlet port 30 (e.g., a valved outlet port). The flow of the fuel mixture and exhaust gases is thus indicated by the arrows representing the working chamber airflow 31. Therefore, as the hot fluid system circulates repeatedly, cold fuel is allowed to approach the first FPM 3, which has a cooling effect on the first FPM 3, particularly on piston top 24 and optional sensor device 27 and / or combustion starter 25 (which may be located or embedded in piston top 24 or FPM 3). In contrast, the second piston 28 is adjacent to the outlet port for discharging hot gases. Due to the high temperature of the combustion reaction and the illustrated working chamber airflow 31, piston top 24 remains relatively cold compared to the second piston 28, which experiences higher and potentially extreme temperatures. This difference provides the opportunity to preferably deploy the EElecCct on the cooler FPM 3 on the inlet side.

[0050] Figure 10 The diagram shows... Figure 9 The LTFS has a mechanical piston rod 32 for extracting mechanical work. Although there are many ways to extract work via a connecting rod such as a piston rod (including but not limited to linear displacement actuation, or connection to a flywheel, or other rotating mechanical device, depending on the application), the piston rod 32 is shown here as being connected to a crankshaft 33.

[0051] Figure 11 The diagram shows... Figure 9The LTFS, in which the second piston 28 is part of the second FPM 34. Due to the proximity of the first FPM 3 to the inlet port 29 (not shown) and the cooling effect of fuel injection as described above, the first FPM 3 is on the cold side of the common working chamber 4. Therefore, the combustion starter 25 (if present on the FPM) will preferably be located on the FPM 3 together with other EEElecCcts required only on one opposite FPM.

[0052] The second FPM 34 may also have some or all of the features disclosed for FPM 3, including but not limited to:

[0053] A fixed central core;

[0054] Independent rebound chamber;

[0055] Independent stator in LPS housing 6;

[0056] The magnetic elements in the FPM 34 provide independent modulation of the FPM 34's motion and electrical energy extraction;

[0057] A power transmission device and a power receiving device for supplying power to the EElecCct sensor device included on the PFM34;

[0058] Data transmitter and / or data receiver.

[0059] exist Figure 12 In this configuration, when the stator circuit 35 is aligned with the power receiving device 21, a transformer T1 is formed in both sections for at least a portion of the travel of the FPM. The primary and secondary coils of the transformer T1 are shown here. A coil switching device 36 (e.g., an H-bridge) interrupts the current in the primary stator circuit 35, which is then switched to the secondary coil to provide alternating current. This alternating current can be rectified to DC power by a rectifier (shown here as a half-wave rectifier for simplicity, but preferably a full-wave rectifier); its rectified output supplies power to the energy storage device 22. T1 need not be a high-voltage transformer providing power; it can be rectified to DC voltage to power the EEElecCct on the FPM, optionally with voltage regulation not shown. The dashed line illustrates the air gap 41 between the fixed housing and the FPM.

[0060] Energy storage device 22 provides a charge storage device to maintain the power supply of EElecCCT on the intermittently operating FPM of T1 and to provide a low-impedance current source for EElectCct to meet intermittent high current demands. Energy storage device 22 is illustrated as a capacitor, but may alternatively be provided in part by a combination of a battery, capacitor or supercapacitor or similar device, along with charge control and / or voltage regulation.

[0061] The FPM EElectCct includes a controller 38, such as logic, analog electronics, or microcontroller circuitry, for executing embedded firmware and managing one or more sensor devices 27 and / or data communication to a fixed housing circuit.

[0062] The data communication device 42, formed by receivers, transmitters, or transceivers 42a and 42b providing communication with fixed controllers 37 and 38, 42a and 42b, is illustrated as a radio frequency point-to-point communication path, but may alternatively be an inductive coupling device, a magnetic coupling device, or an optical coupling device. Furthermore, data communication devices 42a and / or 42b may be independent or may be combined with power transmitter stator circuit 35 and / or power receiver device 21.

[0063] Sensor device 27 has been combined with the previous Figure 4 Discussions were held, and the active scale 40 has been combined with the previous ones. Figure 7 A discussion was held.

[0064] The active scale sensor 40 includes: circuit elements, such as printed patterns or graphene on a printed circuit board or flexible circuit, which are patterned or connected to a connection matrix carrying signals; materials having different electrical properties, such as a network of magnetic materials or components; and, under the control of the controller 38, any one or combination thereof can be excited in a constant or variable manner, thereby causing a varying electric and / or magnetic field along its length. The active scale 40, disposed on or within the outer surface of the FPM 3, is preferably oriented such that the varying electric and / or magnetic field intersects with the scale sensor 39 (e.g., a Hall effect device in a fixed housing) and is connected to or integrated with a fixed controller 37. With the described arrangement, the fixed controller 37 can monitor and detect the movement of the FPM, thereby allowing synchronized control of its movement and events, including but not limited to the timing of combustion initiation (including by using information about...). Figure 13 The combustion starter device 25 described.

[0065] In this specification, two novel and useful motion sensing methods are disclosed through power coupling of the FPM 3 EElectCct.

[0066] 1. The use of an active scale provides position sensing at a point in the FPM travel or throughout the entire range of motion without mechanical coupling and is spatially efficient within the FPM 3 volume, thus providing a mechanically shorter LPS2.

[0067] 2. The use of the accelerometer 27n provides improved motion detection, especially at low speeds near the end of the FPM stroke. Absolute position can be determined by double integration of waveform data and reference to index position sensors, including but not limited to active scales. Again, this eliminates the need for mechanical coupling and offers spatial efficiency within the FPM 3 volume, resulting in a mechanically shorter LPS2.

[0068] Figure 13 a and Figure 13 b shows an example simplified schematic diagram of a circuit that can be deployed as all or part of the EElectCct. These are exemplary implementations and can be implemented in part or in combination with other circuits not disclosed herein for use in one or more FPM 3s of LPS2 as discussed with respect to the previous figures.

[0069] For the purpose of discussion, EElectCct was functionally divided:

[0070] Figure 13 ) requires a combustion starting device 25 with high voltage and high current (e.g., a spark plug device); or

[0071] Figure 12 This includes low-power analog and digital circuits as well as other electronic devices such as sensor devices.

[0072] For the sake of simplicity in the discussion, Figure 12 , Figure 13 a and / or Figure 13 There may be some duplication of low-voltage and control circuit elements in b, and therefore, for efficiency, they may be combined in the embodiments.

[0073] Figure 13 a and Figure 13 b shows an alternative circuit architecture for initiating combustion via a combustion initiation device 25 illustrated as a high-pressure spark plug device.

[0074] exist Figure 13 a and Figure 13 In each of b, the dashed line illustrates the air gap 41 between the fixed housing and the FPM.

[0075] exist Figure 13 a and Figure 13 In each of b, when the fixed stator circuit 35, which serves as a power transmission device, is aligned with the power receiving device 21 that moves with the FPM, a transformer T1 is formed in at least a portion of the FPM's travel; these are referred to herein as the primary and secondary coils of the transformer T1.

[0076] The coil switching device 36 can be an H-bridge or one or more FETs, relays, TRIACs or other transistor devices.

[0077] Figure 13 a and Figure 13 The main difference in architecture between b and is that... Figure 13 In step a, the power transmitted to the power receiving device 21 is directly applied to the combustion starting device 25 without further switching or information processing; while for Figure 13 b. Power is transmitted to power receiving device 21 and stored in energy storage device 22, and then switched and converted into high pressure applied to combustion starting device 25. Operational details and related benefits will now be discussed further.

[0078] Figure 13 a is a schematic diagram of the combustion starting device 25 supplied to the FPM (e.g., the spark plug assembly illustrated). T1 is illustrated as a high-voltage transformer (e.g., a coil with a relatively small number of turns) formed by the primary circuit 35 in the stator region; and a secondary power receiving device 21 (e.g., a coil with a larger number of turns) such that when a significant direct current flows in the primary, a high voltage is formed on the secondary side, which can be applied to the combustion starting device 25 illustrated as a spark plug assembly, wherein a high potential difference (pd) causes a spark to occur.

[0079] Alternatively, in Figure 13 In b, the energy storage device 22 uses the operation of transformer T1 to... Figure 12 The energy storage device 22 is charged in the manner described. The energy storage device 22 also provides a low-impedance source located on the FPM near the high-voltage transformer T2. The controller 38 controls a switching circuit (e.g., but not limited to, a FET, relay, TRIAC, or other transistor) to at least partially discharge the energy storage device 22, causing current to flow in the primary side of the high-voltage transformer T2, thereby creating a high voltage on the secondary side. This high voltage can be applied to the combustion starting device 25, illustrated as a spark plug assembly, where a high potential difference (pd) causes a spark to occur.

[0080] Figure 13 The advantage of architecture b is that the controller 38, along with the sensor device 27 (not shown for clarity) and the dynamic control timing algorithm, can simply switch the primary coil of T2 or modulate it, for example, via pulse width modulation (PWM), to control the current flowing through the primary side, thereby controlling the discharge current in the secondary side and the combustion starter 25. Additional current sensing devices can be added to the circuit to support this enhanced operation. This improved discharge control can be used to improve combustion events, thus providing improved combustion and consequently, system efficiency.

[0081] and Figure 13 Compared to option a, Figure 13 Option b offers many advantages:

[0082] •exist Figure 13 In b, the high-voltage and high-current switching circuits associated with the high-voltage transformer T2 can all be located on the FPM. Therefore, they can maintain smaller (shorter interconnect lengths and circuit loop areas), lower impedance, and tighter coupling between the primary and secondary windings can provide improved efficiency, improved electromagnetic compatibility, and allow for a faster rate of voltage change across the combustion starter 25. In contrast, in Figure 13 In case a, the high-voltage transformer is formed between the primary coil on a fixed housing and the secondary coil on the FPM. The fixed housing and the FPM move relative to each other and are not synchronized and poorly coupled.

[0083] •exist Figure 13 The trigger control of controller 38 in b can be a simple shutdown for ignition of each combustion starter, which is actually Figure 13 The only option for circuit a is to use the circuit 13b; however, for the circuit 13b, the current distribution can be triggered by so-called AC, where the trigger control can be analog or preferably a proportional pulse (e.g., PWM at a defined duty cycle). In a further improvement, the primary coil current of the high-voltage transformer T2 can be sensed by a series current-sensing resistor (not shown), thereby allowing closed-loop control of the current in the primary coil, thus controlling the potential difference pd seen at the combustion starter 25.

[0084] • When a high voltage pd is applied to a combustion initiation device 25, such as a spark plug gap or similar electrode, the resulting electric field can be used to apply pressure to the fuel mixture, causing a current to flow. This current can be sensed using a sensor device 27 (not shown for clarity) to determine the conduction of the fuel mixture. The sensor output can be included in a control loop for the secondary side current, or actually used to determine when to initiate the reaction or combustion of the mixture, regardless of whether a spark occurs.

[0085] •Although Figure 13 Figure b illustrates a spark plug-based combustion starting device, but it is clear that these devices are the most electrically challenging in many respects. Alternative combustion starting devices (e.g., but not limited to ionization electrodes, heaters, and VCSEL laser diodes) typically have lower voltage and current requirements and may not require [further details needed]. Figure 13 b is the high-voltage transformer T2.

[0086] The applicant hereby individually discloses each individual feature described herein, as well as any combination of two or more such features, to such an extent that implementation is possible based on the entire specification in accordance with the general common sense of those skilled in the art, without regard to whether such features or combinations of features solve any problem disclosed herein, and without limiting the scope of the claims. The applicant notes that aspects of the invention can be constituted by any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A linear electromechanical system, comprising: The stator includes at least a first stator electronic circuit and a second stator electronic circuit or circuit group; A free piston mover, movable relative to the stator in a reciprocating motion manner, includes: a piston surface; a transducer configured such that electromagnetic force can be applied to the free piston mover via one or more of the stator electronic circuits or one or more of the circuit groups; one or more transducer electronic circuits; and A first switching device for the first stator electronic circuit or the circuit group and a second switching device for the second stator electronic circuit or the circuit group are used to independently control the configuration of the current in the first stator electronic circuit and the second stator electronic circuit or the current in the circuit group. Wherein, at least one of the converter electronic circuits is configured to receive electrical power from at least one of the independently controlled stator electronic circuits or at least one of the circuit groups during at least a portion of the stroke of the free piston mover. Wherein, at least one of the first switching device or the second switching device respectively controls the first stator electronic circuit or the circuit group or the second stator electronic circuit or the circuit group to transmit electrical power to at least one of the one or more converter electronic circuits during the portion of the stroke of the free piston actuator and to transmit power during another portion of the stroke of the free piston actuator; A controller, the output signal of which activates at least one of the first switching device and the second switching device; and At least one electrically operated device, the at least one electrically operated device being connected to the converter electronic circuit of the free piston actuator; The electrically operated device is powered by electrical power transmitted from at least one of the stator electronic circuits or at least one of the circuit groups to at least one converter electronic circuit on the free piston mover.

2. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electrically operated device is a sensor component, which is one or more of the following: Accelerometer; Temperature sensor; Pressure sensor; Optical sensors; Acoustic sensors; Ion sensor; Active benchmark.

3. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electrically operated device is a wireless signal transmitter.

4. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electrically operated device is a combustion starter.

5. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electrically operated device is an energy storage device.

6. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one electrically operated device is a signal processor, and the signal processor is one or more of the following: Analog signal amplifier; Analog signal filter; Analog-to-digital converter; Digital signal processor.

7. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, further comprising a position encoder read head.

8. The linear electromechanical system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless signal receiver.

9. The linear electromechanical system of claim 1, further comprising a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage at at least one terminal when one of the electronic circuits or one of the circuit groups is disconnected.

10. The linear electromechanical system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor controller for receiving and processing data from any of the following: at least one of the free piston actuator sensor components, a position encoder readout head, and / or a voltage sensor.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein, One or more of the group of electronic circuits, or one or more of the group of circuits comprising only a single electronic circuit.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein, One or more of the group of electronic circuits or one or more of the group of circuits includes electronic circuits.

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