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.
Claims21
An apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of power modules for producing respective electrical signals at respective outputs when activated, the plurality of power modules being configured to be selectively activated and deactivated;
- a combiner coupled to the outputs of the power modules, the combiner configured to selectively produce an electrical signal produced by a single activated power module or a combination of electrical signals produced by a plurality of activated power modules;
- and
- a controller configured to:
- selectively activate and deactivate one or more of the power modules;
- and
- control the activation and deactivation to produce about an equal distribution of use of the power modules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.