Optimization of a brushless permanent magnet linear alternator for use with a linear internal combustion engine

Cawthorne, William R.

doi:10.33915/etd.3160

Cited by 27 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The generator set can be used as a stand-alone mobile power generator or as an auxiliary power unit of a hybrid vehicle. Several research groups have performed conceptual analysis, simulation, and prototype design of the linear engine-alternator [59,[70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84]. The efforts of two scientist groups are shown here: Sandia National Laboratories [71][72][73][74] and West Virginia University [77][78][79][80][81][82][83].…”

Section: Electric Generatormentioning

confidence: 99%

Linear engine development for series hybrid electric vehicles

Tóth-Nagy¹

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Linear Engine Development for Series Hybrid Electric Vehicles by Csaba Tóth-Nagy This dissertation argues that diminishing oil reserves, concern over global climate change, and desire to improve ambient air quality all demand the development of environment-friendly personal transportation. In certain applications, series hybrid electric vehicles offer an attractive solution to reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Furthermore, linear engines are emerging as a powerplant suited to series HEV applications. In this dissertation, a linear engine/alternator was considered as the auxiliary power unit of a range extender series hybrid electric vehicle. A prototype linear engine/alternator was developed, constructed and tested at West Virginia University. The engine was a 2-stroke, 2-cylinder, dual piston, direct injection, diesel engine. Experiment on the engine was performed to study its behavior. The study variables included mass of the translator, amount of fuel injected, injection timing, load, and stroke with operating frequency and mechanical efficiency as the basis of comparison. The linear engine was analyzed in detail and a simple simulation model was constructed to compare the trends of simulation with the experimental data and to expand on the area where the experimental data were lacking. The simulation was based on a simple and analytical model, rather than a detailed and intensely numerical one. The experimental and theoretical data showed similar trends. Increasing translator mass decreased the operating frequency and increased compression ratio. Larger mass and increased compression ratio improved the ability of the engine to sustain operation and the engine was able to idle on less fuel injected into the cylinder. Increasing the stroke length caused the operating frequency to drop. Increasing fueling or decreasing the load resulted in increased operating frequency. This projects the possibility of using the operating frequency as an input for feedback control of the engine. Injection timing was varied to investigate two different modes of engine operation experimentally. The two modes were direct injection compression ignition (DICI) and "pseudo" homogeneously charged compression ignition (PHCCI). Simulation was performed to include HCCI operation in the study. The study showed that the HCCI operation resulted in higher peak cylinder pressure than that of DICI operation. A combined genetic algorithm-artificial neural network predictor model was used along with the simulation model to find the combination of engine parameters that yielded the highest engine efficiency. The predictor-simulator model suggested the most efficient combination of engine parameters. I thank Dr. Nigel N. Clark for his guidance during my postgraduate studies. Not only he did provide invaluable input to my research, he also showed the way with his integrity, philosophy, and attitude. I also thank Dr.

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Section: Electric Generatormentioning

confidence: 99%

Linear engine development for series hybrid electric vehicles

Tóth-Nagy¹

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“…Similar to the free piston Stirling application, the free piston internal combustion engine has been gaining momentum for the past 20 years as a viable application for LEM's. Cawthorne of WVU presented a focused dissertation on the optimized design of a TPMLA [62].…”

Section: Linear Electric Machinementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Soon after, they continued their investigation of linear electric machines by demonstrating the use of an equivalent circuit to model a linear induction motor [54]. Previously at WVU, Cawthorne presented his dissertation on the modeling and optimization of a single-phase TPMLA where he employed finite element methods in ANSYS and an equivalent circuit to model the steady state solution of the device [62]. The process was extended to a three-phase device and validated against experimental data in [81,82].…”

Section: Alternatormentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis and Optimization of a Dual Free Piston, Spring Assisted, Linear Engine Generator

Robinson¹

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“…In addition, remote power generation offers the ability to generate electricity where utility service is not available [2], giving areas with no connection to the utility grid, the ability to generate power independently. Standby generators also provide additional electric power in times of peak demand without increasing a facility's electric bill [3]. They can also dispatch excess electricity back to the grid.…”

Section: Introduction and Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, most literature concentrates on linear generator design in steady-state operation and generating mode. There are only a few reports available with detailed investigations on the starting procedures or controlling the machine in the motoring mode operation, such as [3] by Cawthorne and [11] by Djatmiko. Zulkifli in [11] proposed a method consisting of two basic principles, mechanical resonance via reciprocation, and electrical motoring via PWM current commutation.…”

Section: Introduction and Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Resonating Oscillating Linear Engine Alternator; Instrumentation and Control

Mahmudzadeh¹

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Development of Resonating Oscillating Linear Engine Alternator; Instrumentation and Control Fereshteh Mahmudzadeh The Oscillating Linear Engine and Alternator (OLEA) machine is a micro power generator that operates on natural gas. The OLEA is a permanent magnet linear tubular electric machine. It is driven by a two-stroke, free-piston internal combustion engine. The WVU team is developing the OLEA, which is a 1 KW electricity generator with high efficiency, long life, compact size, and low cost for residential and commercial applications. This research focuses on implementing and testing the instrumentation and control of a linear tubular permanent magnet alternator combined with a two-stroke, free-piston internal combustion engine into a single unit. A start-up mechanism has been implemented to start running the engine. Afterward, the controller regulates the engine performance by adjusting the combustion timings. In order to start the engine and run the machine in generating mode, enough mechanical energy is required to be transferred to the system to provide minimal engine compression ratio. The alternator gate-driving signal is supposed to be synchronized to the translator movements to achieve the maximum transfer of energy and start the engine. Thus, a start-up mechanism is essential to acquire the preferred alignment of the driving voltage to the motion signal. The OLEA machine is controlled by synchronizing the gate-driving signal with the translator position in the motoring mode. The control strategy during the machine start-up involves using a software-based Phase Locked Loop (PLL) system. A Linear Magnetic Hall Effect sensor is employed to collect the position data for the OLEA system. At the same time, the entire control procedure, including the motoring and generating modes, is designed according to real-time position information received by the position sensor. Engine control in generating mode is accomplished by the ignition signal in real-time, according to the current position of the alternator. Similar to the startup, the engine ignition signal is generated by the PLL approach. The phase excitation voltage signals for startup and ignition

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Optimization of a brushless permanent magnet linear alternator for use with a linear internal combustion engine

Cited by 27 publications

References 15 publications

Linear engine development for series hybrid electric vehicles

Linear engine development for series hybrid electric vehicles

Analysis and Optimization of a Dual Free Piston, Spring Assisted, Linear Engine Generator

Development of Resonating Oscillating Linear Engine Alternator; Instrumentation and Control

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