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.
Claims21
(canceled)
A linear generator comprising:
- means for generating net electrical energy during each stroke of a cycle of the linear generator.
A method of operating a linear generator, the method comprising:
- generating net electrical energy during a current stroke of a cycle;
- and
- controlling input of electrical energy proximate to a translator of the linear generator reaching an apex of the current stroke, wherein:
- the input of electrical energy enables the translator to perform a subsequent stroke of the cycle, and
- an amount of electrical energy input does not match or exceed an amount of electrical energy output during the current stroke such that the net electrical energy is positive.
A linear generator comprising means for:
- generating an electrical energy output during a current stroke of a cycle;
- and
- providing an electrical energy input to cause a translator of the linear generator to achieve a desired apex during the current stroke, wherein the electrical energy input does not match or exceed the electrical energy output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.