Free-Piston Device Pressure Control via Piston Rod Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing free-piston devices are complex and lack a modular design, requiring external valves for pressure control and high-pressure systems, which complicates their construction and operation.
Innovation Solution
A free-piston device with a piston receptacle that includes a side for a linearly movable active element, allowing mechanical energy to be extracted and coupled with applications, featuring a channel with openings that enable time-dependent pressure equalization between the admission pressure chamber and resilience space without external valves, and a compact design with minimized distance between expansion and resilience spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external valves are used for pressure control in free-piston devices, then pressure regulation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the valve function from the traditional external valve system and integrates it into the piston rod itself through channels with openings. This removes the need for separate high-pressure valves while maintaining pressure control capability, directly resolving the contradiction between pressure regulation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod is given multiple functions: it serves as both the mechanical connector for energy transfer and as the pressure control element through its integrated channels and openings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate valve components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable pressure control.
2Volume of moving object
If a compact design with minimized distance between expansion and resilience spaces is implemented, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the expansion space and resilience space into a single integrated piston receptacle structure with minimized distance between them. The piston device acts as a separator within this unified structure, allowing compact design while the piston's physical presence provides natural spacing reference, reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the piston stroke is made variably adjustable, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses feedback from the gas spring pressure and piston position to automatically adjust the piston stroke. The channels in the piston rod open or close based on piston position, creating a self-regulating system that provides variable stroke adjustment without complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston rod with its position-dependent channels serves itself by using its own movement to control the pressure equalization. The system automatically adjusts its own operation based on piston position, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
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
This solution enables a modular, compact free-piston device with simplified construction and operation, allowing for efficient energy transfer and pressure control without the need for high-pressure valves, facilitating serial or parallel coupling of applications and minimizing length dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
If the resilience space is designed as a gas spring space, the gas pressure in the resilience space can be maintained by the blow-by or used to reduce the pressure loss in the resilience space.
Implementation Method 2
A free-piston device can be used, for example, to partially convert chemical energy via combustion into mechanical energy, namely kinetic energy of a piston device
Implementation Method 3
this mechanical energy can then in turn be converted at least partially into electrical energy via a linear drive
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a free-piston device, comprising at least one piston chamber, at least one piston assembly linearly moving in the corresponding piston chamber, said piston having a first piston surface as well as a second piston surface facing away from the first piston surface. The piston chamber includes an expansion space delimited by the first piston surface. The piston device can be driven by the action of a medium expanding in the expansion space. A recovery space in the piston chamber or chambers is delimited by the second piston surface and is connected through fluid action with at least one precompression chamber.