Patents Assigned to EtaGen, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10554099
    Abstract: Multiphase electromagnetic machines, such as free-piston engines or compressors, may require, or supply, a pulsed power profile from or to a DC bus, respectively. The pulsed power profile may include relatively large fluctuations in instantaneous power. Sourcing, sinking, or otherwise exchanging power with an AC grid, via an inverter, may be accomplished by using an energy storage device and a DC-DC converter coupled to a DC bus. The energy storage device may aid in smoothing the pulsed power profile, while the DC-DC converter may aid in reducing fluctuations in voltage across a DC bus due to energy storage in the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, John Powers
  • Patent number: 10465795
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sealing ring assembly with one or more piston-integrated gap cover features, configured to seal a high-pressure region from a relatively lower pressure region of a piston and cylinder device. The sealing ring assembly may include two rings which each may include one or more ring segments. The one or more gap-cover features, which may be in the form of protrusions in the piston ring groove, may engage with corresponding flat sections of the ring segments. As the sealing ring wears, the gap-cover features may stay engaged with the ring segments, thereby maintaining a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Svrcek, David Degraaff
  • Patent number: 10443727
    Abstract: A sealing ring includes a first sealing element having a first mating surface and a second sealing element having a second mating surface. A high-pressure boundary extends across at least a portion of the first sealing element and across at least a portion of the second sealing element, and a low-pressure boundary extends across at least a portion of the first sealing element and across at least a portion of the second sealing element. The first mating surface, the second mating surface, or both, includes a recess open to the low-pressure boundary and not open to the high-pressure boundary. The recess may include a groove, for example. The first mating surface is sealed against the second mating surface by a first force acting on the first sealing element and a second force acting on the second sealing element. These forces act to pressure-lock the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Svrcek, Jodie Prudhomme
  • Patent number: 10436322
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sealing ring assembly having a first ring and a second ring, configured to seal a high-pressure region from a lower pressure region of a piston and cylinder device. Accordingly, the sealing ring assembly includes a high-pressure boundary and a low-pressure boundary. Each ring may be segmented, and the first and second rings interface along a surface. Along the surface at the interface, a groove open to the lower pressure region aids in pressure locking the sealing ring assembly. A pocket in the second ring allows for high pressure gas to aid in balancing radial forces on the sealing ring assembly. As the sealing ring wears, the first and second rings remain engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Svrcek, Jodie Prudhomme
  • Patent number: 10408150
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a method and system are provided for displacing a free-piston assembly to achieve a desired engine performance by repeatedly determining position-force trajectories over the course of a propagation path and effecting the displacement of the free-piston assembly based, at least in part, on the position-force trajectory. In a dual-piston assembly free-piston engine, synchronization of the two piston assemblies is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Roelle, Christopher Gadda
  • Patent number: 10404199
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Patent number: 10359002
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an open-faced piston with a circumferential groove into which a piston ring assembly is arranged. Openings at the bottom of the circumferential groove and between a front land of the open-faced piston and the piston face are provided. The openings are arranged to allow for a combustion reaction to propagate through the volume defined between the bottom of the piston ring assembly and the piston face such that at least a portion of an air and fuel mixture located in that volume is reacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventor: Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 10221759
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a linear combustion engine, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a pair of ends, the cylinder including a combustion section disposed in a center portion of the cylinder; a pair of opposed piston assemblies adapted to move linearly within the cylinder, each piston assembly disposed on one side of the combustion section opposite the other piston assembly, each piston assembly including a spring rod and a piston comprising a solid front section adjacent the combustion section and a gas section; and a pair of linear electromagnetic machines adapted to directly convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and adapted to directly convert electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly for providing compression work during the compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Simpson, Shannon Miller, Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 10215229
    Abstract: An element is provided to maintain a clearance gap between a piston and a cylinder wall. In some embodiments, an element is included that is capable of spatial change. In some embodiments, the element is a component such as a clearance ring, a surface bearing, or a segment of a clearance ring or surface bearing. A clearance gap may be maintained by inward and outward motion of the component with respect to a piston assembly and a cylinder wall, where the motion is determined by a balance of forces acting on the component. In some embodiments, an inward force generated by an external gas pressure source is balanced by an outward preload force generated by, for example, a pneumatic piston. In some embodiments, a clearance gap is maintained based on in part on the ratio of inner to outer surface areas of a clearance ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Svrcek, Scott Coakley
  • Patent number: 10190490
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Gadda, Matthew Roelle, Adam Simpson
  • Patent number: 10156198
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a method and system are provided for displacing a free-piston assembly to achieve a desired engine performance by repeatedly determining position-force trajectories over the course of a propagation path and effecting the displacement of the free-piston assembly based, at least in part, on the position-force trajectory. In a dual-piston assembly free-piston engine, synchronization of the two piston assemblies is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Roelle, Christopher Gadda
  • Patent number: 10024231
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a linear combustion engine, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a pair of ends, the cylinder including a combustion section disposed in a center portion of the cylinder; a pair of opposed piston assemblies adapted to move linearly within the cylinder, each piston assembly disposed on one side of the combustion section opposite the other piston assembly, each piston assembly including a spring rod and a piston comprising a solid front section adjacent the combustion section and a gas section; and a pair of linear electromagnetic machines adapted to directly convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and adapted to directly convert electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly for providing compression work during the compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Simpson, Shannon Miller, Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 10006401
    Abstract: A piston engine may include a clearance gap between a piston assembly and a cylinder. The piston may be configured to translate in a bore of the cylinder. The clearance gap between the piston assembly and the bore may be actively or passively controlled. A control system may provide one or more adjustments based on, for example, a detected temperature, pressure, flow rate, work metric, and/or other indicator. The adjustments may include, for example, adjusting a cylinder liner, adjusting a flow through a bearing element, adjusting a coolant flow, adjusting a heat pipe property, and/or other adjustments. One or more auxiliary systems may be used to provide the adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ETAGEN, INC.
    Inventors: John Lawler, Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 9856821
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an open-faced piston with a circumferential groove into which a piston ring assembly is arranged. Openings at the bottom of the circumferential groove and between a front land of the open-faced piston and the piston face are provided. The openings are arranged to allow for a combustion reaction to propagate through the volume defined between the bottom of the piston ring assembly and the piston face such that at least a portion of an air and fuel mixture located in that volume is reacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventor: Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 9719415
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Gadda, Matthew Roelle, Adam Simpson
  • Patent number: 9657675
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a method and system are provided for displacing a free-piston assembly to achieve a desired engine performance by repeatedly determining position-force trajectories over the course of a propagation path and effecting the displacement of the free-piston assembly based, at least in part, on the position-force trajectory. In a dual-piston assembly free-piston engine, synchronization of the two piston assemblies is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: EtaGen Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Roelle, Christopher Gadda
  • Patent number: 9567898
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a linear combustion engine, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a pair of ends, the cylinder including a combustion section disposed in a center portion of the cylinder; a pair of opposed piston assemblies adapted to move linearly within the cylinder, each piston assembly disposed on one side of the combustion section opposite the other piston assembly, each piston assembly including a spring rod and a piston comprising a solid front section adjacent the combustion section and a gas section; and a pair of linear electromagnetic machines adapted to directly convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and adapted to directly convert electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly for providing compression work during the compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Simpson, Shannon Miller, Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 9169797
    Abstract: A piston engine may include a piston and cylinder assembly. A piston assembly may be configured to translate in a cylinder liner, which may form a bore in the cylinder. The cylinder liner may be deformable, and deformations of the cylinder liner may affect the clearance gap between the piston assembly and the cylinder. A liner fluid may be supplied to the cylinder liner to create a pressure differential across the liner, and a resulting deformation. The liner fluid may be used to provide cooling as well as liner deformation to control the clearance gap. A cylinder may include one or more fluid passages configured to provide heating, cooling, or both. A cylinder may include one or more localized heat sources such as, for example, electric resistance heaters or heating fluid passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lawler, Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 9097203
    Abstract: A piston engine may include a clearance gap between a piston assembly and a cylinder. The piston may be configured to translate in a bore of the cylinder. The clearance gap between the piston assembly and the bore may be actively or passively controlled. A control system may provide one or more adjustments based on, for example, a detected temperature, pressure, flow rate, work metric, and/or other indicator. The adjustments may include, for example, adjusting a cylinder liner, adjusting a flow through a bearing element, adjusting a coolant flow, adjusting a heat pipe property, and/or other adjustments. One or more auxiliary systems may be used to provide the adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lawler, Matt Svrcek
  • Patent number: 9004038
    Abstract: A piston engine may include a heat pipe capable of transferring heat away from a portion of the piston engine such as a combustion section. The heat pipe may be included as part of a piston assembly, a cylinder, or both. The heat pipe may be filled with a suitable heat pipe fluid that may undergo a phase change such as, for example, water, ethanol, ammonia, sodium, other fluids or combinations thereof. Boiling and condensing of the fluid within the heat pipe may utilize the latent heat of the fluid during heat transfer. Multiple heat pipes may be used in some instances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Svrcek, John Lawler, Shannon Miller