US 12,173,642 B1Granted

Free-piston linear generator

OwnerRichard Krausinventor

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A free-piston linear generator wherein the piston is a magnet propelled into reciprocating motion inside a non-conducting cylinder around which is wrapped one or more induction coils. The magnet-piston may be propelled into motion using either internal combustion of a diesel aerosol in a two-stroke or 4-stroke configuration, with ignition provided by compression, or by steam pressure provided by an external boiler. Sensor-controlled exhaust, fuel-intake, and air-intake valves are located at either end of the cylinder, although only a single intake valve would be required in a steam version. As the magnet-piston moves in the cylinder, the power stroke on one side of the magnet-piston is the compression stroke on the other side. The movement of the magnet-piston induces an electric current in the induction coil, by which energy is drawn from the engine as useful work.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A free piston linear induction generator comprising:

a first generator unit having
a) at least one cylinder having an interior space and first and second ends;
b) left and right end caps secured to said cylinder at said first and second ends, respectively;
c) a single piston formed of a permanent magnet disposed within said interior space of said cylinder, said piston dividing said interior space into a left interior space to the left of said piston, and a right interior space to the right of said piston;
d) at least one conductive coil wound around said cylinder;
e) input and exhaust valves on each of said left and right end caps, said valves controlled by a control unit;
and
f) an ammeter connected to said at least one conductive coil, said ammeter producing a current output indicative of a location of said piston within said cylinder;
g) said valves controlled by said control unit based on said location of said piston, such that said piston moves in said cylinder in a reciprocating motion, from one end of said cylinder to the other, to thereby induce a current in said at least one conductive coil.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/370,184Filed 19 Sep 2023 · continuation
Priority: 21 Aug 2023
Granted: 24 Dec 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F02B 63/041
For electric generators: linear electric generators
F02B 71/04
Free-piston engines; Engines without rotary main shaft: adaptations of such engines for special use; Combinations of such engines with apparatus…
F02B 71/06
Adaptations of such engines for special use; Combinations of such engines with apparatus driven thereby: free-piston combustion gas generators per se
F02B 75/40
Other engines: other reciprocating-piston engines