Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for the cold start of a free-piston diesel engine, comprising a cylinder (1) having a combustion room (2) therein and an air inlet (6), fuel supply (8) and combustion gas outlet (7) connected thereto, and a piston (4) movable within the cylinder (1) and limiting one side of the combustion room (2). Energy is supplied to the piston (4) to compress air supplied through the inlet by reducing the combustion room, whereafter fuel is injected to allow the fuel-air mixture to ignite by spontaneous combustion. So much compression energy is delivered to the piston (4) that the combustion room (2) is reduced to a volume of less than 3% of the combustion room (2) volume when the outlet (7) is closed. The corresponding free-piston engine has a dead volume of less than 3%.
Abstract:
A method of operating a free piston engine (10, 90, 100) of the present invention, includes a housing (12) with a combustion cylinder (18) and a second cylinder (20). A piston (14) includes a piston head (32) reciprocally disposed within the combustion cylinder (18), a second head (46) reciprocally disposed within the second cylinder (20), and a plunger rod (34) interconnecting the piston head (32) with the second head (46). A supply of hydraulic fluid is pulsed from a high pressure hydraulic accumulator (H) into a pressure chamber (50) in the second cylinder (20) adjacent teh second head (46) during a beginning portion of a compression stroke to cause the piston head (32) to move toward up a top dead center position. The high pressure hydraulic accumulator (H) is decoupled from the pressure chamber (50) after the pulsing step. A low pressure hydraulic accumulator (L) is coupled with the pressure chamber (50) during a remaining portion of the compression stroke. The high pressure hydraulic accumulator (H) is coupled with the pressure chamber (50) when the piston head (32) is traveling toward a BDC position during a return stroke.
Abstract:
In a starter motor for an axial-piston engine with a stepped piston (14), two variable-length belt elements (98, 100) pass around an exentric element (92, 94, 96). The belt elements are connected directly or indirectly to interspaced points (114, 116) on the stepped piston.
Abstract:
A system determines a position, speed or moving direction of a piston (50) at a reference point in a cylinder (12) of an engine (10). The system may be controlled based thereon. The engine (10) is a linear reciprocating engine, for example, an opposed piston engine. The system includes a first sensor (130) provided on a base (30) connected to the engine (10). The first sensor (130) generates a signal in response to a component coupled to the piston (50) being in a region of the first sensor (130). A second sensor (140) generates a signal in response to a component coupled to the piston (50) interacting with the second sensor (140). The system includes an energy transformer (20) configured to transform motion of the engine to electrical power.
Abstract:
A system determines a position, speed or moving direction of a piston (50) at a reference point in a cylinder (12) of an engine (10). The system may be controlled based thereon. The engine (10) is a linear reciprocating engine, for example, an opposed piston engine. The system includes a first sensor (130) provided on a base (30) connected to the engine (10). The first sensor (130) generates a signal in response to a component coupled to the piston (50) being in a region of the first sensor (130). A second sensor (140) generates a signal in response to a component coupled to the piston (50) interacting with the second sensor (140). The system includes an energy transformer (20) configured to transform motion of the engine to electrical power.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a power generator (1) comprising a combustion chamber (2) having a reciprocatable piston (4a) movable along a longitudinal axis (7), a shaft (5) attached to the piston extending into a second chamber (10) in a housing comprising (9) a stationary magnetic field generating element (14). A second magnetic field generating element (13) being attached to the shaft movable relative to the first magnetic field generating element, one of the magnetic field elements comprising a coil, the coil comprising a power output terminal (19) for providing power, an electrical motor (45) and a power storage device (51 ) connectable to the power output electrode (19) via a control unit (41), wherein a third chamber (25) is provided in the housing (9) the third chamber having an entry opening and an exit opening situated around the longitudinal axis (7) through which the shaft (5) passes, a piston member (29) being mounted on the shaft in the third chamber, a piston member wall sealingly engaging with the third chamber wall, and a gas being comprised in the third chamber (25).
Abstract:
Method for operating a free-piston engine (10) to produce relatively low amounts of undesirable NOx by initiating injection of the atomized fuel mixture into the combustion chamber after closure of exhaust apertures (28) by the combustion chamber piston during the compression stroke thereof to attain a homogeneous fuel-air mixture and relatively lower and more uniform local combustion flame temperature in the combustion chamber.
Abstract:
An hydraulic switching valve (35) comprises, among other parts, a valve housing (45, 62) with a first connection (33, 36) and a second connection (34, 67) and a valve body (37, 63) which is movable in the valve housing (45). The switching valve (35) is open when the pressure at the first connection (33) is higher than the pressure at the second connection (34) as a result of the fact that the pressure difference caused by the movement of the valve body (37) allows a flow past the valve body (37). The switching valve is closed when the pressure at the first connection (33) is lower than the pressure at the second connection (34) as a result of the fact that the movement of the valve body (37) caused by the pressure difference closes a valve seal (40) which blocks the flow. The switching valve (35) further comprises a lock (39) with switching means (42) for selectively keeping the valve seal (40) closed, and unblocking the valve body (37), respectively.