Free-Piston Engine Energy Storage for Self-Sustaining Linear Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing free-piston combustion engines face challenges in efficiently converting kinetic energy into electrical energy without requiring net electrical energy input during subsequent piston cycles, leading to inefficiencies and increased mechanical and frictional losses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a driver section, such as a gas spring, to store energy during an expansion stroke, and a linear electromagnetic machine (LEM) to directly convert kinetic energy into electrical energy, with processing circuitry controlling energy storage to perform subsequent strokes without net electrical energy input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a free-piston combustion engine directly converts kinetic energy to electrical energy without energy storage, then the system structure is simpler, but net electrical energy input is required during subsequent piston cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The driver section stores energy during the expansion stroke before the subsequent compression stroke occurs. This preliminary energy storage action eliminates the need for net electrical energy input during the next piston cycle, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and energy self-sufficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The driver section acts as an intermediary energy storage component between the free-piston assembly and the linear electromagnetic machine. It temporarily holds kinetic energy during expansion and releases it during compression, enabling the system to operate without external electrical energy input while maintaining relatively simple structure
2Power
If conventional combustion engines are used, then mechanical energy conversion is achieved, but mechanical and frictional losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical crankshaft-connecting rod mechanism with a linear electromagnetic machine that directly converts the linear motion of the free-piston assembly into electrical energy. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical linkages and reduces frictional losses while maintaining effective power conversion
Solution Approach 2:
The engine is divided into distinct functional sections: a combustion section, a driver section for energy storage, and a linear electromagnetic machine for energy conversion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall mechanical losses while maintaining conversion efficiency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances engine efficiency by minimizing mechanical and frictional losses, allowing continuous operation without external electrical energy input, and reducing the size and cost of components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one linear electromagnetic machine for directly converting between kinetic energy of the at least one free-piston assembly and electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
a driver section, such as a gas spring, to store energy during an expansion stroke
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a driver section may be provided in a free-piston combustion engine for storing energy during an expansion stroke. The driver section may be configured to store sufficient energy to perform the subsequent stroke. In some embodiments, the driver section may be configured to store sufficient energy so as to enable the engine to operate continuously across engine cycles without electrical energy input. A linear electromagnetic machine may be provided in a free-piston combustion engine for converting the kinetic energy of a piston assembly into electrical energy.