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A Free-Piston Linear Generator Control Strategy for Improving Output Power

Author

Listed:
  • Chi Zhang

    (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Technology, Ningbo 315201, China)

  • Feixue Chen

    (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Technology, Ningbo 315201, China
    School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

  • Long Li

    (School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

  • Zhaoping Xu

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China)

  • Liang Liu

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China)

  • Guilin Yang

    (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Technology, Ningbo 315201, China)

  • Hongyuan Lian

    (Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Technology, Ningbo 315201, China)

  • Yingzhong Tian

    (School of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

Abstract

This paper presents a control strategy to improve the output power for a single-cylinder two-stroke free-piston linear generator (FPLG). The comprehensive simulation model of this FPLG is established and the operation principle is introduced. The factors that affect the output power are analyzed theoretically. The characteristics of the piston motion are studied. Considering the different features of the piston motion respectively in acceleration and deceleration phases, a ladder-like electromagnetic force control strategy is proposed. According to the status of the linear electric machine, the reference profile of the electromagnetic force is divided into four ladder-like stages during one motion cycle. The piston motions, especially the dead center errors, are controlled by regulating the profile of the electromagnetic force. The feasibility and advantage of the proposed control strategy are verified through comparison analyses with two conventional control strategies via MatLab/Simulink. The results state that the proposed control strategy can improve the output power by around 7–10% with the same fuel cycle mass.

Suggested Citation

  • Chi Zhang & Feixue Chen & Long Li & Zhaoping Xu & Liang Liu & Guilin Yang & Hongyuan Lian & Yingzhong Tian, 2018. "A Free-Piston Linear Generator Control Strategy for Improving Output Power," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:1:p:135-:d:125649
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Yan & Yang, Binbin & Ji, Deliang & Hou, Xiaochen & Zhao, Bo & Zhang, Tiezhu, 2023. "Integrated simulation and performance analysis of Confined Piston Linear Generator (CPLG)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    2. Wu, Limin & Feng, Huihua & Jia, Boru & Tang, Zhifeng & Yan, Xiaodong & Wang, Wei, 2022. "A novel method to investigate the power generation characteristics of linear generator in full frequency operation range applied to opposed-piston free-piston engine generator _ Simulation and test re," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    3. Ngwaka, Ugochukwu & Jia, Boru & Lawrence, Christopher & Wu, Dawei & Smallbone, Andrew & Roskilly, Anthony Paul, 2019. "The characteristics of a Linear Joule Engine Generator operating on a dry friction principle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C), pages 49-59.
    4. Xuezhen Wang & Feixue Chen & Renfeng Zhu & Guilin Yang & Chi Zhang, 2018. "A Review of the Design and Control of Free-Piston Linear Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Shoma Irie & Mitsuhide Sato & Tsutomu Mizuno & Fumiya Nishimura & Kaname Naganuma, 2022. "Effect of Nonlinear Spring Characteristics on the Efficiency of Free-Piston Engine Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Ahsan Bashir & Saiful A. Zulkifli & Abd Rashid Abd Aziz & Ezrann ZZ Abidin, 2021. "Impact of Combustion Variance on Sustainability of Free-Piston Linear Generator during Steady-State Generation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-21, July.
    7. Hong-wei Fang & Ru-nan Song & Zhao-xia Xiao, 2018. "Optimal Design of Permanent Magnet Linear Generator and Its Application in a Wave Energy Conversion System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-12, November.

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