Adaptive linear linked piston electric power generator
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorJay B. Ross
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A load adaptive linear electrical generator system is provided for generating DC electrical power. The electrical generation system includes one or more power generation modules which will be selectively turned on or off and additively contribute power depending on the DC power demand. Each power generating module includes a pair of linear electrical generators connected to respective ones of a pair of internal combustion piston based power assemblies. The piston in the internal combustion assembly is connected to a magnet in the linear electrical generator. The piston/magnet assembly oscillates in a simple harmonic motion at a frequency dependent on a power load of the electrical generator. A stroke limiter constrains the piston/magnet assembly motion to preset limits.
Claims47
1-18. (canceled)
A piston linear electrical generator, comprising:
- a first internal combustion assembly and a first linear power generator;
- a second internal combustion assembly and a second linear power generator;
- and
- a stroke limiter connected to the first internal combustion assembly, first linear power generator, second internal combustion assembly, and second linear power generator, the stroke limiter comprising:
- a first pushrod connected between the first internal combustion assembly and the first linear power generator;
- a second pushrod connected between the second internal combustion assembly and the second linear power generator;
- a first limiter rod connected to the first pushrod;
- a second limiter rod connected to the second pushrod;
- a first rotation disk connected to the first limiter rod;
- and
- a second rotation disk connected to the second limiter rod;
- the movement of the first pushrod associated with the first internal combustion assembly and the first linear power generator and the movement of the second pushrod associated with the second internal combustion assembly and the second linear power generator being oppositely phased.
A linear piston electrical generator arrangement, comprising:
- a plurality of 2-piston linear electrical generators coupleable in series;
- a buck/boost converter coupled to one of the 2-piston linear electrical generators;
- a DC link coupled to the buck/boost converter;
- and
- a controller to determine the operational state for each 2-piston linear electrical generator.
A hybrid electric vehicle, comprising:
- an energy storage device;
- a traction drive coupled to the energy storage device, the traction drive comprising a traction motor;
- and
- a plurality of 2-piston linear electrical generators coupled to the energy storage device.
A piston linear electrical generator, comprising:
- a first internal combustion assembly and a first linear power generator;
- a second internal combustion assembly and a second linear power generator;
- and
- a stroke limiter connected to the first internal combustion assembly, first linear power generator, second internal combustion assembly, and second linear power generator, the stroke limiter comprising:
- a first pushrod connected between the first internal combustion assembly and the first linear power generator;
- and
- a second pushrod connected between the second internal combustion assembly and the second linear power generator;
- the movement of the first pushrod associated with the first internal combustion assembly and the first linear power generator and the movement of the second pushrod associated with the second internal combustion assembly and the second linear power generator being oppositely phased.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.