New Internal Combustion Engine Design
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From: State of Jefferson Mountains USA
New Internal Combustion Engine Design
Interesting 
New internal combustion engine could boost electric cars
March 13, 2013
A revolutionary new internal combustion engine doesn’t go in circles, at
all.
Developed by engineers at the German Aerospace Center’s Institute of Vehicle
Concepts, the Free Piston Linear Generator is an all-new type of powerplant
designed to be used as a range extender for electric cars.
The motor is comprised of two pistons, on either side of a single combustion
chamber. Instead of using a crankcase to convert linear piston movement into
rotational energy to turn a driveshaft or conventional electric motor, the
pistons are mounted on air springs that generate electricity directly as they
move back and forth.
As an added benefit, the design allows the size of the combustion chamber and
its compression ratio to be infinitely adjusted without having to change parts,
allowing it to run on a variety of fuels, including diesel, natural gas and
hydrogen.
Although it currently exists only as an oversized technical demonstrator
installed in a laboratory, the team behind it believes that it can be downsized
into a compact unit that weighs about 125 pounds and puts out up to 40 hp.
Several of the generators could be installed side by side to meet the power
requirements of various vehicles.
The main hurdle holding back the widespread acceptance of electric cars are
the expensive, heavy and relatively low-capacity batteries currently available,
and the technology is improving at a snail’s pace. Range extenders allow
automakers to use smaller, cheaper batteries that are good enough for everyday
driving, while offering convenient long-range, though not zero-emissions,
capability.
However, the motors found in cars like this on the road today, like the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma, are simply internal combustion engines
that have been converted from use in conventional vehicles, and not optimized
for the task at hand. Future generations of plug-in hybrids are expected to
feature engines specifically designed to act as range extenders, and the Free
Piston Linear Generator is just one idea.
A spokesperson for the center says a production version of the Free Piston
Linear Generator could be on the road within four or five years if an industrial
partner comes on board to develop the technology for commercial use.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/...ntcmp=features
March 13, 2013
A revolutionary new internal combustion engine doesn’t go in circles, at
all.
Developed by engineers at the German Aerospace Center’s Institute of Vehicle
Concepts, the Free Piston Linear Generator is an all-new type of powerplant
designed to be used as a range extender for electric cars.
The motor is comprised of two pistons, on either side of a single combustion
chamber. Instead of using a crankcase to convert linear piston movement into
rotational energy to turn a driveshaft or conventional electric motor, the
pistons are mounted on air springs that generate electricity directly as they
move back and forth.
As an added benefit, the design allows the size of the combustion chamber and
its compression ratio to be infinitely adjusted without having to change parts,
allowing it to run on a variety of fuels, including diesel, natural gas and
hydrogen.
Although it currently exists only as an oversized technical demonstrator
installed in a laboratory, the team behind it believes that it can be downsized
into a compact unit that weighs about 125 pounds and puts out up to 40 hp.
Several of the generators could be installed side by side to meet the power
requirements of various vehicles.
The main hurdle holding back the widespread acceptance of electric cars are
the expensive, heavy and relatively low-capacity batteries currently available,
and the technology is improving at a snail’s pace. Range extenders allow
automakers to use smaller, cheaper batteries that are good enough for everyday
driving, while offering convenient long-range, though not zero-emissions,
capability.
However, the motors found in cars like this on the road today, like the Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma, are simply internal combustion engines
that have been converted from use in conventional vehicles, and not optimized
for the task at hand. Future generations of plug-in hybrids are expected to
feature engines specifically designed to act as range extenders, and the Free
Piston Linear Generator is just one idea.
A spokesperson for the center says a production version of the Free Piston
Linear Generator could be on the road within four or five years if an industrial
partner comes on board to develop the technology for commercial use.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/...ntcmp=features
Last edited by cdynaco; Mar 13, 2013 at 03:33 PM.
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Posts: 7,648
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From: Insane
They might oughtta be. Pure plug ins are simply too limited, and battery tech isn't gonna get much better anytime soon, not that'll also be roadable and reliable anyway.
Hybrids are the future until Mr. Fusions are ready to use. And even then, that'll be a hybrid tech too.
Hybrids are the future until Mr. Fusions are ready to use. And even then, that'll be a hybrid tech too.
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From: SoCal
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Joined: May 16, 2004
Posts: 5,206
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From: Bristol, TN
They might oughtta be. Pure plug ins are simply too limited, and battery tech isn't gonna get much better anytime soon, not that'll also be roadable and reliable anyway.
Hybrids are the future until Mr. Fusions are ready to use. And even then, that'll be a hybrid tech too.
Hybrids are the future until Mr. Fusions are ready to use. And even then, that'll be a hybrid tech too.
Hmmm... anyways looks somewhat similar to the double expansion thingy John Coletti was attached to.
Pretty neat as a purely range extending device as it chops out the rotating assembly and connects it directly to the generator.
Last edited by bob; Mar 17, 2013 at 09:44 PM.
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Joined: November 23, 2006
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It sorta looks like the Achates opposed-piston diesel engine, the exception being this engine finds its pistons affixed directly to electricity-producing "air springs." Like 2K7GTS stated, this is essentially a form of locomotion.
On a side note, Fairbanks Morse produced a 2,400-horse opposed-piston diesel locomotive back in the 1950's. It was extremely powerful, if not a bit ahead of its time.
http://www.american-rails.com/fm-train-master.html
On a side note, Fairbanks Morse produced a 2,400-horse opposed-piston diesel locomotive back in the 1950's. It was extremely powerful, if not a bit ahead of its time.
http://www.american-rails.com/fm-train-master.html
Last edited by MARZ; Mar 18, 2013 at 06:55 PM.
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Joined: May 16, 2004
Posts: 5,206
Likes: 18
From: Bristol, TN
Need to combine that range extender with one of these motors for a nice compact package.
I wonder if you could get the motor, generator and range extender into one compact unit as these motors obviate the need for a transmission since they develop 200 hp - 2065 ft/lbs in a package about the size of a differential.
I wonder if you could get the motor, generator and range extender into one compact unit as these motors obviate the need for a transmission since they develop 200 hp - 2065 ft/lbs in a package about the size of a differential.
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