A load adaptive linear electrical generator system is provided for generating DC electrical power. The electrical generation system includes one or more power generation modules which will be selectively turned on or off and additively contribute power depending on the DC power demand. Each power generating module includes a pair of linear electrical generators connected to respective ones of a pair of internal combustion piston based power assemblies. The piston in the internal combustion assembly is connected to a magnet in the linear electrical generator. The piston/magnet assembly oscillates in a simple harmonic motion at a frequency dependent on a power load of the electrical generator. A stroke limiter constrains the piston/magnet assembly motion to preset limits.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for operating a hydraulic free piston engine includes receiving, at an engine controller for a hydraulic free piston engine, an energy parameter that is representative of an amount of fluid energy to be output by the engine, and a measured fluid pressure value of a fluid load of the engine, determining a piston trajectory of a piston within a hydraulic chamber of the engine, determining a fuel volume value and a servo valve actuation parameter, based on the energy parameter and the measured fluid pressure value, providing a fuel control signal to a fuel control device of the engine based on the fuel volume value, and providing, based on the servo valve actuation parameter and the piston trajectory, a servo valve control signal to a servo valve.

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for operating a hydraulic free piston engine includes receiving, at an engine controller for a hydraulic free piston engine, an energy parameter that is representative of an amount of fluid energy to be output by the engine, and a measured fluid pressure value of a fluid load of the engine, determining a piston trajectory of a piston within a hydraulic chamber of the engine, determining a fuel volume value and a servo valve actuation parameter, based on the energy parameter and the measured fluid pressure value, providing a fuel control signal to a fuel control device of the engine based on the fuel volume value, and providing, based on the servo valve actuation parameter and the piston trajectory, a servo valve control signal to a servo valve.

A control system for a pre-mixture compression-ignition engine is provided, configured such that in a first combustion mode, the control unit controls the fuel injection valve to have a fuel amount within a mixture gas in an outer circumferential portion of the combustion chamber larger than in the center portion, the swirl generating part to generate a swirl flow in the outer circumferential portion, and the spark plug to ignite the mixture gas in the center portion. In a second combustion mode, the control unit controls the fuel injection valve to start a fuel injection on intake stroke so that the mixture gas is formed in the entire combustion chamber, the swirl generating part so that a swirl flow becomes weaker than in the first combustion mode, and the spark plug to ignite the mixture gas before CTDC.

A control system for a pre-mixture compression-ignition engine is provided, configured such that in a first combustion mode, the control unit controls the fuel injection valve to have a fuel amount within a mixture gas in an outer circumferential portion of the combustion chamber larger than in the center portion, the swirl generating part to generate a swirl flow in the outer circumferential portion, and the spark plug to ignite the mixture gas in the center portion. In a second combustion mode, the control unit controls the fuel injection valve to start a fuel injection on intake stroke so that the mixture gas is formed in the entire combustion chamber, the swirl generating part so that a swirl flow becomes weaker than in the first combustion mode, and the spark plug to ignite the mixture gas before CTDC.

A free piston apparatus includes a piston receptacle in which a piston device having a piston is reciprocable along an axis. The piston receptacle includes or forms a combustion chamber delimited by a wall arrangement forming an inlet opening for the supply of fresh gas and an outlet opening for the removal of exhaust gas. Fresh gas is suppliable via a supply conduit. The free piston apparatus includes a housing for fresh gas which is connected to the supply conduit in a flow direction of the fresh gas being supplied. The housing forms a settling chamber for fresh gas which surrounds the piston receptacle at least in sections in the region of the inlet opening in a circumferential direction of the axis. The settling chamber opens into the combustion chamber via the inlet opening.

A free piston apparatus includes a piston receptacle in which a piston device having a piston is reciprocable along an axis. The piston receptacle includes or forms a combustion chamber delimited by a wall arrangement forming an inlet opening for the supply of fresh gas and an outlet opening for the removal of exhaust gas. Fresh gas is suppliable via a supply conduit. The free piston apparatus includes a housing for fresh gas which is connected to the supply conduit in a flow direction of the fresh gas being supplied. The housing forms a settling chamber for fresh gas which surrounds the piston receptacle at least in sections in the region of the inlet opening in a circumferential direction of the axis. The settling chamber opens into the combustion chamber via the inlet opening.

A free-piston engine power plant incorporating a first combustion cylinder, having a first combustion piston, a fluid expander having an expansion cylinder with an expander piston therein, the expander piston reciprocating in unison with the first combustion piston, a bottoming cycle having a working fluid and a heat exchanger.

A free-piston engine power plant incorporating a first combustion cylinder, having a first combustion piston, a fluid expander having an expansion cylinder with an expander piston therein, the expander piston reciprocating in unison with the first combustion piston, a bottoming cycle having a working fluid and a heat exchanger.

A load adaptive linear electrical generator system is provided for generating DC electrical power. The electrical generation system includes one or more power generation modules which will be selectively turned on or off and additively contribute power depending on the DC power demand. Each power generating module includes a pair of linear electrical generators connected to respective ones of a pair of internal combustion piston based power assemblies. The piston in the internal combustion assembly is connected to a magnet in the linear electrical generator. The piston/magnet assembly oscillates in a simple harmonic motion at a frequency dependent on a power load of the electrical generator. A stroke limiter constrains the piston/magnet assembly motion to preset limits.