Abstract: A reciprocating micro heat engine for electrical and mechanical power generation is disclosed The micro heat engine uses a reciprocating free piston that is driven by a periodic combustion process, and is implemented using micromachining technology. In the application of electrical power generation, the mechanical and electrical functionality of the engine are highly integrated; i.e., the same piston performs both the fuel-to mechanical energy conversion as well as the mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion.

Abstract: In an autogenous generator (1) in which electrical energy is generated by a linkage between fixed windings (2) and permanent magnets which move integrally on the alternating motion of one or more pistons of a two-stroke internal combustion engine, the cylinders (5) coupled to the pistons (4) have a conical precombustion chamber (10) opening towards the cylinders (5), the engine runs with variable compression strokes, and the magnets (3) and windings (2) are designed such that the ratio between the quantities of mechanical energy used to generate electrical energy for two different strokes of the magnets (3) is equal to the ratio between the two compression ratios obtained in the cylinders (5) in relation to the two different strokes performed by the pistons (4) integral with the said magnets (3) multiplied by the ratio between the two overall efficiency values of the engine in relation to the said compression ratios.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the cold start of a free-piston diesel engine, comprising a cylinder having a combustion room therein and an air inlet, fuel supply and combustion gas outlet connected thereto, and a piston movable within the cylinder and limiting one side of the combustion room. Energy is supplied to the piston 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 that the combustion room is reduced to a volume of less than 3% of the combustion room volume when the outlet is closed. The corresponding free-piston engine has a dead volume of less than 3%.

Abstract: This invention is a hybrid engine employing a reciprocating piston in conjunction with an electromagnetic transducer for control and power output. The transducer is essentially a specialized linear motor/generator. The piston is rigidly connected by means of a rod to a permanent magnet (or equivalent). The piston-rod-magnet unit is constrained by bearings to move translationally along one axis. The magnet can move linearly into and out of the yoke of the magnetic transducer to generate an electric current in the windings of the yoke. At the same time computer control of the effective impendences of these windings as well as computer controlled currents (provided by an electric storage battery or electrical energy storage indicator) flowing through some (or all) of these windings control the motion of the magnet and hence of the piston. Computer control is also exercised over other devices to regulate ignition timing, fuel injection, air intake, valve motion, etc. The power output may be used to drive A.C., D.

Abstract: A double-acting tandem free-piston engine comprising a housing including a cylinder having combustion chambers at opposite ends and one in its center with double-acting pistons displaceable between one end and the center chamber and between the other end and the center chamber. Each piston includes opposite piston heads with connecting rods between them together with balancing means to provide symmetrical piston movement. Each combustion chamber has a inlet port and valve and an exhaust valve, the valves timed to open and close to produce a pressure volume relationship therein wherein the pressure drops below atmospheric during at least a portion of the piston's displacement. The engine combined with a linear alternator in a hybrid vehicle powers electric wheel driving motors and stores power in its storage battery.

Abstract: A free-piston two stroke cycle engine includes a piston rod assembly having a connecting rod with first and second ends, first and second power pistons affixed to the ends of the rod and first and second power transfer pistons mounted on the rod between the power pistons at locations spaced from each other, first and second power cylinders with sealed cavities in which the power pistons are movable. The cavities and the power pistons provide precompression chambers and combustion chambers of varying volumes. A timing module is located between the power cylinders, and first and second power transfer modules, each including a power transfer cylinder are between the timing module and the first and second power pistons, respectively. The connecting rod passes through the timing module and the power transfer modules and the first and second power transfer pistons reciprocate within the power transfer cylinders.

Abstract: A power supplementing system for an engine utilizes the selective delivery of electrical charge to a plate in the vicinity of a driving member of the engine, e.g. a piston, to increase the power of the engine. A high voltage AC signal is generated from a lower voltage DC signal by chopping the DC signal and applying it to a step-up transformer. The output of the transformer is rectified and stored in a capacitor. Through the use of cams or actuators on the crankshaft of the engine the charge is applies to the plate so as to attract or repulse the piston at the proper time to supplement its motion.

Abstract: Method of and device for producing electric energy from a cyclic combustion process. The device includes two oppositely disposed aligned spark ignited internal combustion engine cylinders axially spaced from each other, means rigidly connecting the pistons so that they reciprocate in unison in their respective cylinders, and a reciprocable electrical linear generator-motor unit driven by said reciprocatory piston system. The generator-motor unit includes a very light coreless (ironless) coil rigidly attached to and reciprocatory with the piston system, the said coil reciprocating through a constant strength magnetic field. The beginning of the combustion process (or cycle) in each combustion chamber takes place at the lowest possible compression ratio sufficient for the initial ignition of the fuel-air mixture, the combustion process proceeding at a diminishing volume under the pressure from the compression- and combustion-forces of the opposite combustion chamber-piston system.

Abstract: A power plant and process for converting gas expanding and contracting energy sources into useful forms of energy and utilizing gravitational force, wherein a piston containing a magnet and able to free fall within an enclosed cylinder, having a non-magnetically-responsive center portion surrounded by an induction coil is repeatedly impelled upwards thereby inducing an alternating electric current in the coil. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of fuel and air is ignited beneath the piston and compressed air is pumped into a reservoir in response to the piston's upwards motion. The reservoir of compressed air is then used to assist in expelling contaminated gases to increase the pressure of the air and gas mixture, and to serve as an additional source of stored energy.

Abstract: A free-piston engine formed by one or more units, each comprising a pair of opposed pistons connected to a common piston rod and movable within two opposed cylinders, with a load, such as the inductor of a linear alternator, connected to an intermediate point of the piston rod, and in which there is provided at least a cam controlled by an operatively independent motor and engaging at least a tappet connected to the piston rod of a unit of pistons. This cam is profiled and controlled in such a way as to substantially follow the movement of the tappets which is produced by the free-piston engine during normal operation, but to limit the travel of the piston units and provide the energy for the compression stroke, in case of anomalous operation. The cam serves also to start the engine, as well as to mutually synchronize the various units of pairs of pistons in engines having a plurality of units. The engine may also be in the form of an adiabatic engine fed by coal dust or other solid fuel.

Abstract: An energy transfer device includes a rotatable driveshaft supported within a cylinder and including first and second pistons slidably mounted within the cylinder. The driveshaft has first and second generally helical tracks formed thereupon and extending in opposite rotational directions about the driveshaft. First and second ratcheted cam clutches are coupled to the first and second pistons, respectively, and engage the first and second tracks within the driveshaft for converting reciprocating sliding motion of the first and second pistons into rotational motion of the driveshaft. The first and second pistons may be reciprocated by a valving mechanism which alternately admits pressurized fluid to one end portion of the cylinder while exhausting fluid from the opposite end portion thereof. The first and second pistons may also be reciprocated by magnetizing the first and second pistons and surrounding the cylinder by an alternating electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A medium-power, free-piston electric current generator is disclosed in which the piston is slidable in a vertical cylinder open at its top end, with a combustion chamber at its lower end. Induction coils are provided along the length of the cylinder. The piston is formed at least in part of magnetic material and the piston return is effected by the force of gravity. Valves for exhausting combustion gases are provided in the lower part of the cylinder and the opening and closing of the valves is synchronized with the movement of the piston. The cylinder and piston are cooled appropriately. The generator may employ gasoline, heating oil, a gas fuel or explosive substance.

Abstract: A power plant and process for converting gas expanding and contracting energy sources into useful forms of energy and utilizing gravitational force, wherein a piston containing a magnet and able to free fall within an enclosed cylinder, having a non-magnetically-responsive center portion surrounded by an induction coil is repeatedly impelled upwards thereby inducing an alternating electric current in the coil. In the preferred embodiment, a mixture of fuel and air is ignited beneath the piston and compressed air is pumped into a reservoir in response to the piston's upwards motion. The reservoir of compressed air is then used to assist in expelling contaminated gases to increase the pressure of the air and gas mixture, and to serve as an additional source of stored energy.

Abstract: Combustion induced motion of a piston in an internal combustion engine is augmented by the application of an intermittent or variable magnetic field reacting between the engine block and moving piston in a manner such that the piston is magnetically impelled along its path of movement. A permanent magnet is mounted on the piston with its axis of magnetic polarity aligned with the path of travel of the piston. An electromagnet mounted in the engine block is cyclically supplied with electric current to generate a magnetic field reacting with the magnet on the piston to cyclically magnetically attract or repel the piston in synchronism with the motion of the piston induced by fuel ignition. In the case of a reciprocatory piston, switching means are employed to reverse the polarity of the magnetic field in synchronism with the reversal of piston movement. Application of the magnetic field by the electromagnetic may be varied to occur over a selectively varied portion only of each piston stroke.

Abstract: The machine comprises one cylinder in which two symmetrical opposed working pistons are placed. A gas-oil introduced between the pistons burns and causes a reciprocating motion of the working pistons against the return motion of two resilient devices. An energy is produced thereby and is extracted without mechanical connections. The mass of the working pistons ranges between 5 and 30 grams per cm.sup.3 of the cylinder. The quantity of gas-oil ranges between 0.01 and 0.02 milligram per cm.sup.3 of the cylinder. The resilient devices are effective for accumulating and sending back upon each reciprocating motion thereof a power ranging between 0.5 and 2 joules per cm.sup.3 of the cylinder.