Energy storage and conversion in linear generators
AssigneeMainspring Energy, Inc.
InventorsChristopher Gadda, Matthew Roelle, Adam Simpson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims20
A linear generator comprising:
- a piston assembly comprising:
- a rod;
- and
- a pair of pistons coupled to opposite ends of the rod;
- a translator attached to the piston assembly;
- a stator arranged to convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy as the translator moves, wherein the stator is coupled to processing circuitry configured to control conversion of the kinetic energy to the electrical energy;
- a first section in contact with a first axial side of the piston assembly in which a first force is generated that acts on the piston assembly;
- and
- a second section in contact with a second axial side of the piston assembly, opposite to the first axial side in which a second force is generated that acts on the piston assembly,
- wherein:
- the first force and the second force cause the piston assembly to translate linearly according to a cycle comprising a first stroke and a second stroke,
- the stator is caused, by the processing circuitry, to convert at least some of the kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy during each of the first stroke and the second stroke, and
- the linear generator outputs net electrical energy over each of the first stroke and the second stroke.
A method of operating a linear generator, the linear generator comprising:
- a piston assembly comprising:
- a rod;
- and
- a pair of pistons coupled to opposite ends of the rod;
- a translator attached to the piston assembly;
- a stator arranged to convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy as the translator moves, wherein the stator is coupled to processing circuitry configured to control conversion of the kinetic energy to the electrical energy;
- a first section in contact with a first axial side of the piston assembly;
- and
- a second section in contact with a second axial side of the piston assembly, opposite to the first axial side,
- the method comprising:
- operating the linear generator according to a cycle, wherein the cycle comprises a first stroke and a second stroke, and wherein the operating comprises:
- generating a first force in the first section, wherein the first force is sufficient to complete the first stroke,
- generating a second force in the second section, wherein the second force is sufficient to complete the second stroke,
- causing, using the processing circuitry, the stator to convert at least some of kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy during each of the first stroke and the second stroke, and
- outputting net electrical energy over each of the first stroke and the second stroke.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.