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A Review of the Design and Control of Free-Piston Linear Generator

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  • Xuezhen Wang

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

  • Feixue Chen

    (Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Renfeng Zhu

    (Key Laboratory of Robotics and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology & Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
    University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Guilin Yang

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

  • Chi Zhang

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

Abstract

The Free-piston linear generator (FPLG) is a novel energy converter which can generate electrical energy and is regarded as a potential technology for solving the restriction of the short driving range of electric vehicles. Getting rid of the crank and flywheel mechanism, FPLG obtains some advantages of a variable compression ratio, compact size, and highly-efficient power generation. Linear electric machine (LEM) design and piston motion control are two key technologies of FPLG. However, they are currently the main obstacles to the favorable performance of FPLG. LEM being used to drive the piston motion or generate electric energy is an integrated design including a motor/generator. Various types of LEMs are investigated, and suitable application scenarios based on advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The FPLG’s controller is used to ensure stable operation and highly-efficient output. However, cycle-to-cycle variations of the combustion process and motor/generator switching make it difficult to improve the performance of the piston motion control. Comments on the advantages and disadvantages of different piston motion control methods are also given in this paper.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:8:p:2179-:d:164760
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mitsuhide Sato & Takumi Goto & Jianping Zheng & Shoma Irie, 2020. "Resonant Combustion Start Considering Potential Energy of Free-Piston Engine Generator," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Yuan, Chenheng & Lu, Jiangchuan & Li, Shilei, 2023. "Thermoelectric coupling effect of secondary injection on gasoline fuel spray and mixing of a free vibration combustion alternator," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    4. Li, Jian & Zuo, Zhengxing & Liu, Wenzhen & Jia, Boru & Feng, Huihua & Wang, Wei & Smallbone, Andrew & Roskilly, Anthony Paul, 2023. "Generating performance of a tubular permanent magnet linear generator for application on free-piston engine generator prototype with wide-ranging operating parameters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    5. 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.

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