US 11,746,691 B2
Opposing piston synchronized linear engine-alternator (OPSLEA) for electrical power generation
Parviz Famouri, Morgantown, WV (US); Jayaram Subramanian, Morgantown, WV (US); Terence Musho, Bruceton Mills, WV (US); Ramanjaneya Mehar Baba Bade, Morgantown, WV (US); and Fereshteh Mahmudzadeh Ghomi, Morgantown, WV (US)
Filed by Parviz Famouri, Morgantown, WV (US); Jayaram Subramanian, Morgantown, WV (US); Terence Musho, Bruceton Mills, WV (US); Ramanjaneya Mehar Baba Bade, Morgantown, WV (US); and Fereshteh Mahmudzadeh Ghomi, Morgantown, WV (US)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/527,540.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/114,228, filed on Nov. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0154634 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. F02B 63/04 (2006.01); F02B 75/02 (2006.01); F02B 71/04 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01)
CPC F02B 63/041 (2013.01) [F02B 71/04 (2013.01); F02B 75/02 (2013.01); H02K 7/1884 (2013.01); F02B 2075/025 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An opposed piston synchronized linear machine, comprising: a linear engine comprising opposed piston assemblies including two pistons that move linearly in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis of a central cylinder, wherein the opposed piston assemblies are synchronously controlled to generate a compression ratio sufficient to combust fuel in a combustion chamber of the central cylinder; first and second linear electromagnetic machines coupled at a proximal end to the piston assemblies, where the first and second linear electromagnetic machines convert linear motion provided by the two pistons to electrical energy in a generating mode, wherein the first and second linear electromagnetic machines are configured to operate in a motoring mode to start the linear engine, the first and second linear electromagnetic machines pulsed to drive the opposed piston assemblies at a resonant frequency to start the linear engine, wherein pulsing of the first and second linear electromagnetic machines is controlled based upon sensed position or velocity of a shaft of a translator of the first or second linear electromagnetic machine; and a resonant driver assembly that provides compression during a compression stroke of the linear engine, the resonant driver assembly comprising springs configured for the resonant frequency.