WO2000055482A1

WO2000055482A1 - Internal combustion engine with a linear electric a.c. generator

Info

Publication number: WO2000055482A1
Application number: PCT/RU2000/000087
Authority: WO
Inventors: Felix Iliich Pinsky; Timur Felixsovich Pinsky
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 2000-03-15
Publication date: 2000-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2001-09-16
Also published as: AU3467200A; RU2150014C1

Abstract

An engine designed for driving a linear a.c. generator comprises several autonomously operating modules. Each module structure includes two opposite-positioned cylinders (1), which house pistons (2) connected via a rod (3) with a linear electric generator armature (4). The generator stator contains exciting windings (5), a magnetic core (6) and power windings (7), in which the a.c. current is generated, while the armature (4) displaces. The electron control unit (15) controls the mechanism supplying fuel to the cylinders depending on frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation in the cylinders (1) and electric current phase deviation. The engine has been designed with a possibility of a joint operation of several autonomous modules in the modes close to an optimum loading and with a possibility to control a number of operating modules by electron control unit commands in the modes of a partial loading.

Description

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE WITH A LINEAR ELECTRIC A.C. GENERATOR

Field of art The invention relates to power engineering and transport mechanical engineering, namely, free-piston internal combustion engines designed for driving linear electric generators.

Prior state of the art At present known in the art are different electric generators using internal combustion engines as a drive.

Thus, e.g. a free-piston internal combustion engine with a linear a.c. generator described in Patent US4532431 (FO2B 71/04, published in 1985). This prior art device has at least one independently operating module, the structure of which includes two piston cylinders placed opposite each other and rigidly connected between themselves and the generator armature, a generator stator with exciting windings, power windings (for current generation) and a magnetic core. Besides, a device is provided with an electron control unit with piston and generator armature position transducers.

However, an engine of the design described above has insufficient efficiency due to the impossibility to simultaneously control the fuel supply unit operation of particular modules under frequency and phase deviations of the electric current generated from the required values.

Summary of the invention

The present invention patented is aimed at increasing the engine efficiency and reliability by decreasing fuel consumption and harmful exhausts, as well as dimension, mass and cost efficiency.

The achievement of this technical result is provided by the fact that an internal combustion engine with a linear electric a.c. generator comprising at least one independently operating module including, as its structural members, two opposite- positioned cylinders, which house the pistons rigidly connected between themselves and the generator armature, a generator stator with exciting windings, power windings of the current generated and a magnetic core and an electron control unit with piston and generator armature position transducers according to the present invention includes a controller with the first output transmitting signals corresponding to the assigned frequency or recurrence period of operating cycles in the module cylinders, and the second outputs transmitting signals corresponding to an assigned phase of the current generated for each module. Each election control unit includes a channel of a control effect formation by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation comprising, as its structural member, a frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder, the outputs of which are connected with the first controller output and piston and generator armature position transducer outputs. An electron unit also houses a regulator determining a signal for fuel supply by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation. The electron unit comprises also a channel of control effect formation by the current phase deviation, the inputs of which are connected with the second controller output and position transducer outputs, and a non-linear component with a transmission factor increasing with frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation decrease. One input of a nonlinear component is connected with the output of a current phase deviation finder, and its second input - with the output of frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder. Besides, the electron unit structure includes a regulator determining a signal for fuel supply by the current phase deviation. The regulator input is connected with the output of a non-linear component. Each electron control unit has a summator, the inputs of which are connected with the regulator outputs, and a control impulse former- distributor, the inputs of which are connected with the position transducer and the summator output, and the output - with cylinder fuel supply members.

To make the control quality better the summator may be provided with extra inputs, which receive the signals from electron control units of other assemblies, the engine is operating together with.

In the preferable embodiment of an engine design the pistons and cylinders are at least partially manufactured of magnetic materials and are parts of the generator magnetic core.

To perfect an engine arrangement two opposite-positioned module cylinders are combined into a single common body made of alternating magnetic and non-magnetic areas, the module pistons combined into a single common bilateral piston-armature. The engine may contain a generator common for a few simultaneously operating modules.

The invention features listed above ensure a possibility of joint operation of several independent modules in the modes close to an optimum loading and a possibility to control a number of operating modules by electron control unit commands in the modes of a partial loading. The engine design characterized by the said features allows to provide a required fuel supply value necessary to maintain a desired frequency or recurrence period of operating cycles.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention patented will now be described with reference to a specific embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1 is a schematic view of engine module section;

Fig.2 is a schematic view of module section in the from of an embodiment with a common body;

Fig.3 is a schematic view of module section in the from of an embodiment with a common body and common bilateral piston-armature.

Preferred embodiments of the invention A free-piston internal combustion engine with a linear electric a.c. generator is illustrated hereinafter by the example of a single module.

A free-piston internal combustion engine with a linear electric a.c. generator comprises at least one independently operating module including, as its structural members, two opposite positioned cylinders 1 , which house piston 2 rigidly connected by a rod 3, on which the generator armature 4 is mounted. The generator stator has exciting windings 5, magnetic core 6, power windings 7, which generate alternating current.

Liquid or gaseous fuel is fed into the engine cylinders via electrically-controlled injectors (or pump-injectors) 8. The piston 2 and armature 4 position is controlled by piston and armature 4 position transducers 9. There is an armature 4 inside the stator with a reciprocation possibility.

The exciting windings 5 and power windings 7 are fixed stationary in the stator. The armature 4 is made in the form of a magnetic core. The generator armature and stators may be common for several modules.

The engine has a controller 10 with the first output 1 1 transmitting periodic signals corresponding to a required frequency or a period of recurrent cycles in the module cylinders. The second inputs 12, 13,14 of the controller 10 are meant for transmitting periodic signals corresponding to a required phase of the electric current generated for a separate module. Each electron control unit 15 has a channel 16 of control effect formation by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation. The channel 16 includes, formation by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation. The channel 16 includes, as its structural member, a frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder 17. the inputs of which are connected with the first output 1 1 of the controller 10 and position transducer 9 outputs. The channel 16 has also a regulator 18 setting a signal for determining the flow value of fuel supply by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation, which is necessary to maintain a required frequency or recurrence period of operating cycles. The regulator inlet 18 is connected with the frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder 17.

Besides, the electron control unit 15 has a channel 19 of control effect formation by current phase deviation. The unit 15 includes a current phase deviation finder 29. the inputs of which are connected with the second output 13 of the controller 10 and piston 2 and armature 4 position transducer 9 outputs. The unit 15 structure also comprises a nonlinear component 21, the transmission factor of which increases with frequency or recurrent period of operating cycle deviation decrease. The first output of the component 21 is connected with a current phase deviation finder 20, and the second one - with a frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder 17. The regulator 22 of the unit 15 sets a fuel supply signal. The value of this signal determining the fuel flow is given depending on the current phase deviation selected in maintaining a required frequency or recurrence period of operating cycles. The regulator 22 input is connected with a non-linear component 21 output. Each electron control unit 15 has a summator 23, the inputs of which are connected with the outputs of regulators 18 and 22. a control impulse former-distributor 24, the inputs of which are connected with transducers 9 and summator 23 output and the output connected with a fuel supply unit mechanism (injectors or pump-injectors 8) of the respective cylinder. Pistons 2 and cylinders 1 at least partially can be made of magnetic materials and serve at the same time as the parts of armature 4 and stator 6 magnetic core (see Figs.2 and 3). The connecting and support parts, e.g. rods 3 can be made of magnetic material.

In the preferred engine embodiment (see Fig.3) two opposite positioned cylinders 1 of the module are combined into a common bod} 25 formed by alternating magnetic 26 and non-magnetic 27 areas. The module pistons 2 are combined together with the armature 4 into a single bilateral piston-armature 29. The common body is of axis- symmetrical configuration, preferably a cylindrical form.

To balance the axial forces the double modules can be employed operating at the same rate in opposite motion phases. A total number of sinsle and double modules equals to a number of alternating current phases generated. At least a part of matchingly operating modules can be carried out with a common generator.

A free-piston internal combustion engine with a linear a.c. generator functions in the following manner. In the reference condition (see Fig.l) a left-handed piston 2 is in its extreme left position. The combustion chamber contains the compressed air. By a signal transmitted by an electron unit 15 to a fuel supply unit-injector 8 there occurs a controlled fuel injection into the left combustion chamber. The gas pressure produced as a result of fuel combustion generated a force causing a left piston 2 displacement together with a rod 3 and the right piston 2 connected with it and the armature 4. With the armature 4 displacement to the right side the change of the magnetic flow penetrating the power windings 7 of the generator induces an electric moving force in these windings, the value of which is proportional to the armature 4 motion speed. The armature 4 motion together with pistons 2 is prevented by a force in the windings 7 generated by the current and a force caused by a compressed air in the combustion chamber of the right-handed piston 2.

With pressure sufficient for fuel ignition in the right-handed combustion chamber, which is determined by piston 2 and armature 4 piston, the electron control unit 5 develops a fuel supply control signal by transducer 9 signals. This signal is transmitted to the fuel supply unit if the right-handed combustion chamber-injector 8. There takes place a fuel injection to the right-handed combustion chamber. The gas pressure produced as the result of fuel combustion in this chamber causes a motion of the rod 3 together with the pistons 2 and armature 4 to the left side.

Thereof, on account of an in-turn fuel supply into opposite combustion chambers a piston 2 and armature 4 reciprocation occurs. As a result of this motion and alternating electric current is generated on account of a periodic change of the magnetic flow in the power windings 7.

This current frequency control is carried out by a control effect formation channel 16 by frequency deviation or equivalent recurrence period of operating cycle change (channel 16 is a part of electron unit structure 15). The first output 1 1 of the controller unit 10 transmits signals to a frequency (or recurrence period) of operating cycle deviation finder 17. The frequency of these signals is a required value of generated current frequency. The other outputs of the finder 17 receive the transducer 9 signals, the frequency of which correspond to the generated current frequency. The finder 17 sets a sign and a value of a true frequency deviation from an assigned frequency level. The finder 17 output signal sign and a value of a true frequency deviation from an assigned frequency level. The finder 17 output signal characterizing a frequency (or period) deviation enters the regulator 18 input. By the value and the sign of frequency (or period) deviation the regulator 18 develops a fuel supply signal to the cylinders. The fuel flow is selected sufficient to eliminate generated current frequency deviation.

Via the summator 23 and the former-distributor 24 of control impulses a control impulse is transmitted to a corresponding injector 8 by transducer 9 signals. The injector

8 selected in an automatic mode provides a required fuel supply to a selected combustion chamber. Simultaneously in channel 19 (of control effect formation by generated current phase deviation) a signal is transmitted to the finder 20 from the controller unit 10 output 12, which determines an assigned phase value, and there comes a signal from transducers

9 corresponding to a true phase of generated current. The finder 20 carries out computation of a sign and a value of phase deviation from the required one. A signal characterizing the current phase deviation from the required one comes from the finder 20 to one of the inputs of a non-linear component 21. The second input of non-linear component 21 receives a signal from the frequency (or recurrence period) of operating cycle deviation finder 17. The transmission factor of a non-linear component

21 change in inverse proportion to a signal from the finder 17. As a result of this there comes a signal from the non-linear component 21 output to the regulator 22 input only under a certain frequency (or recurrence period) of operating cycle deviation level. Thus, the regulator 18 comes into action after the operating cycle frequency deviation decrease up to a particular level. With small frequency deviation a phase deviation signal from the regulator 22 enters the summator 23 input, where its summation with a frequency deviation signal from the regulator 18 is carried out.

A joint action of generated current frequency and phase deviation regulators 18 and

22 finally results in engine-generator performance leveling up to a desired level. As a result there is alternating current generation of an assigned frequency and phase.

The controller unit 10 outputs 13 and 14 transmit periodic signals, the phases of which correspond to the required values of the other modules not shown in the drawing.

These phases, in a particular case, can coincide with a phase given for a module represented in the drawing and corresponding to the controller unit 10 output 12 signal.

In a general case these signals are uniformly displaced with respect to each other due to With large frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviations (in combustion chambers) the control unit 15 has only one operating channel 16 of control effect formation by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation. As a result of this channel operation the frequency (or recurrence period) of operating cycles decreases up to a required level by a control algorithm carried out in the regulator 18.

With small frequency deviations a channel 19 comes into action forming a control effect by generated current phase deviation. As a result of this channel operation the elimination of frequency of recurrence period of operating cycle deviation and the current phase deviation decrease up to a required level are provided by a control algorithm carried out in the regulator 21.

As a result of control by an assigned algorithm all modules of the engine function with the same assigned frequency at uniform alternation or, if necessary, with generated a.c. phase coincidence.

Therefore, the invention ensures a possibility of all the modules to operate in maximum loading modes and a part of modules to be cut off by electron control unit commands with loading decrease to optimize every module loading. The solution of this problem ensures the achievement of a technical result consisting in efficiency and reliability increase of the device on account of fuel efficiency and, accordingly, harmful exhaust decrease. Besides, using a modular engine design allows to reduce its size, mass and cost.

The structural components of the electron control unit 15, which comprise a controller unit 10, a frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder 17, a frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation regulator 18, a current phase deviation finder 20, a non-linear component 21, a current phase deviation regulator 22, a summator 23, and a control impulse former-distributor 24 can be manufactured in an analogous manner to the prior art electron units and elements in the field of automatics and control on the basis of common knowledge available to a specialist in this field of art.

Industrial Application The invention may be used in different fields of engineering, where the application of autonomous a.c. sources is required, e.g. in power engineering and transport mechanical engineering. An engine according to the invention may used at a transport means, as a stationary engine-generator. Besides, the invention may find a wide application, in hybrid electromobiles. emergency and standard sources of electric power. The major advantages of a free-piston engine with a linear electric a.c. generator under its industrial application are the following:

- a possibility of satisfying ecological requirements using even conventional fuels on account of optimizing the operating modes of particular engine modules and minimizing transfer processes;

- a possibility of minimizing a vibration, level engine operation noise and rectified current pulsation on account of module number and, accordingly, a number of generated a.c. current phase increase;

- a possibility of engine sectioning for optimum arrangement of particular modules in the load-bearing structure of a transport means, e.g., with engine embodiment in the form a flat set a modules located on the roof of a transport means;

- a possibility of minimizing particular module size on account of their increase;

- a possibility of changing the electric power produced by the engine- generator by changing a number of modules;

- a possibility of controlling the electric power produced by changing a number of operating modules in the process of engine-generator operation;

- electric power decrease for engine-generator start on account of starting only one module from an external source of electric power; - simplification of production technology on account of unification;

- reliability increase of the device under any emergency failures of some part of the modules and a possibility of transport means motion, while using a single module remaining serviceable.

Claims

THE INVENTION IS CLAIMED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An internal combustion engine with a linear electric a.c. generator comprising as least one module including as its structural parts two opposite-located cylinders (1), which house pistons (2) rigidly connected between themselves and the generator armature (4), a generator stator with windings (5) exciting a magnetic field, power windings (7) of generated current and a magnetic core (6), as well as an electron control unit (15) with piston (2) and generator armature (4) position transducers (9), characterized by the fact that the engine includes, as its structural parts, a controller (10) having the first output (1 1) transmitting periodic signals, which correspond to an assigned frequency or recurrence period of operating cycles in module cylinders 1 , and the second outputs (12, 13, 14) transmitting periodic signals corresponding to a required phase of the electric current generated, each electron control unit (15) having a control effect channel (16) by frequency or requirement operating cycle deviation including, as its structural components, a frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder (17), the inputs of which are connected with the first output (1 1) of a controller unit and position transducer (9) output, and a regulator (18) setting a fuel supply signal by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation, the input of which is connected with the finder (17) output of frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation, and a control effect formation channel (19) by current phase deviation comprising the current phase deviation finder (20), the inputs of which are connected with the second output (13) of a controller unit (10) and position transducer (9) outputs, a non-linear component (21) with a transmission factor increasing with frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation decrease, and a regulator (22) setting a fuel supply signal by frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation, the input of which is connected with the frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation finder (17) output, and a control effect formation channel (19) by the current phase deviation, including in its structure a current phase deviation finder (20) the inputs of which are connected with the second output (13) of the controller unit (10) and position transducer (9) outputs, a non-linear component (21) with a transmission factor increasing with the decrease of frequency or recurrence period of operating cycle deviation, and a regulator (22) setting a fuel supply signal by the current phase deviation, the input of which is connected with a non-linear component 21 output, besides, each electron control unit (15) has a summator (23), the outputs of which are connected with regulator outputs (18 and 22), and a control impulse, former distributor (24), the inputs of which are connected with position transducers (9) and a summator (23) output, and the output - with mechanisms supplying fuel to the cylinders (1).

2. The engine of claim 1, characterized by the fact that the summator (23) is manufactured with extra inputs, which receive the electron control unit (15) signals of other assemblies, the engine is operating together with.

3. The engine of claim 1, characterized by the fact that pistons (2) and cylinders (1) at least partially are made of magnetic materials and are the generator magnetic core (6) members.

4. The engine of claim 1, characterized by the fact that opposite-positioned module cylinders (1) are combined into a single common body (25) made of alternating magnetic (26) and non-magnetic (27) areas, the module pistons (2) combined together with the armature (4) into a common bilateral piston-armature (28).

5. The engine of claim 1, characterized by the fact that common a.c. generators are used for several modules.