US 11,867,116 B2
Energy storage and conversion in linear generators
Christopher Gadda, Palo Alto, CA (US); Matthew Roelle, Belmont, CA (US); and Adam Simpson, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to MAINSPRING ENERGY, INC., Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed by MAINSPRING ENERGY, INC., Menlo Park, CA (US)
Filed on Feb. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/109,040.
Application 18/109,040 is a continuation of application No. 17/734,350, filed on May 2, 2022, granted, now 11,578,646.
Application 17/734,350 is a continuation of application No. 16/920,172, filed on Jul. 2, 2020, granted, now 11,352,947, issued on Jun. 7, 2022.
Application 16/920,172 is a continuation of application No. 16/239,344, filed on Jan. 3, 2019, granted, now 10,738,688, issued on Aug. 11, 2020.
Application 16/239,344 is a continuation of application No. 15/645,995, filed on Jul. 10, 2017, granted, now 10,190,490, issued on Jan. 29, 2019.
Application 15/645,995 is a continuation of application No. 14/598,173, filed on Jan. 15, 2015, granted, now 9,719,415, issued on Aug. 1, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2023/0193817 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F02B 71/04 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01); F02B 71/00 (2006.01); F02B 63/04 (2006.01)
CPC F02B 71/04 (2013.01) [F02B 63/041 (2013.01); F02B 71/00 (2013.01); H02K 7/1884 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of controlling a free-piston engine, the method comprising:
determining, using processing circuitry, an amount of energy to store in a driver section;
causing, using the processing circuitry, a free-piston assembly to achieve a first stroke between a first apex position and a second apex position to store at least the amount of energy in a driver section at the second apex position; and
causing, using the processing circuitry, the free-piston assembly to achieve a second stroke between the second apex position and a third apex position using the amount of energy in the driver section.