Linear generators with a piston having a valve are described herein. The linear generator includes a combustion module and at least one linear motor. The linear motor includes at least one piston having: a piston head with an opening therein; a piston skirt opposed to the piston head; a piston side wall extending between the piston head and the piston skirt, the piston side wall having at least one port therein. The piston also includes a valve mechanism movable relative to each of the piston head, the piston seat and the piston side wall. The valve mechanism includes a valve stem extending through the piston skirt and the interior piston volume into a mover shaft of the motor, and a valve head coupled to the valve stem and configured to cover the opening of the piston head.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a linear combustion engine, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a pair of ends, the cylinder including a combustion section disposed in a center portion of the cylinder; a pair of opposed piston assemblies adapted to move linearly within the cylinder, each piston assembly disposed on one side of the combustion section opposite the other piston assembly, each piston assembly including a spring rod and a piston comprising a solid front section adjacent the combustion section and a gas section; and a pair of linear electromagnetic machines adapted to directly convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and adapted to directly convert electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly for providing compression work during the compression stroke.

An aircraft engine has a hollow driveshaft with a spool coaxial with the driveshaft and extending through the driveshaft to rotate independently of the driveshaft. A first harmonic cam is mounted on the driveshaft and a second spaced apart harmonic cam is mounted on the spool. At least one combustion cylinder is positioned between the cams along a combustion cylinder axis that is parallel with but radially spaced apart from the driveshaft. A piston assembly is disposed in each end of the combustion cylinder, with each piston assembly engaging a separate cam. A high-pressure compressor turbine is mounted on the driveshaft and driven by movement of a piston assembly, compressing air for the combustion cylinder. A rotating component is mounted on the spool and driven by movement of the other piston assembly. The rotating component may be another compressor turbine, a drive turbine, a fan or a propeller.

A method for controlling operation of an opposed piston engine is provided, comprising: determining a direction of rotation of the engine; comparing the determined direction of rotation to a correct direction of rotation of the engine; and responding to the determined direction of rotation being different from the correct direction of rotation by taking corrective action.

A method for controlling operation of an opposed piston engine is provided, comprising: determining a direction of rotation of the engine; comparing the determined direction of rotation to a correct direction of rotation of the engine; and responding to the determined direction of rotation being different from the correct direction of rotation by taking corrective action.

Linear generators with a piston having a valve are described herein. The linear generator includes a combustion module and at least one linear motor. The linear motor includes at least one piston having: a piston head with an opening therein; a piston skirt opposed to the piston head; a piston side wall extending between the piston head and the piston skirt, the piston side wall having at least one port therein. The piston also includes a valve mechanism movable relative to each of the piston head, the piston seat and the piston side wall. The valve mechanism includes a valve stem extending through the piston skirt and the interior piston volume into a mover shaft of the motor, and a valve head coupled to the valve stem and configured to cover the opening of the piston head.

Linear generators with a piston having a valve are described herein. The linear generator includes a combustion module and at least one linear motor. The linear motor includes at least one piston having: a piston head with an opening therein; a piston skirt opposed to the piston head; a piston side wall extending between the piston head and the piston skirt, the piston side wall having at least one port therein. The piston also includes a valve mechanism movable relative to each of the piston head, the piston seat and the piston side wall. The valve mechanism includes a valve stem extending through the piston skirt and the interior piston volume into a mover shaft of the motor, and a valve head coupled to the valve stem and configured to cover the opening of the piston head.

The present invention provides a power generation device that can not only reduce the generation of vibration but also increase thermal efficiency. A power generation device (10A) includes: an engine (1) in which a right crankshaft (31) and a left crankshaft (32) rotate in opposite directions to each other; a right flywheel (41) and left flywheel (42) as a primary inertia body; and a power generation motor (2) as a secondary inertia body, a total inertia moment in a first rotation direction and a total inertia moment in a second rotation direction being balanced with each other by not less than 50%.

The present invention provides a power generation device that can not only reduce the generation of vibration but also increase thermal efficiency. A power generation device (10A) includes: an engine (1) in which a right crankshaft (31) and a left crankshaft (32) rotate in opposite directions to each other; a right flywheel (41) and left flywheel (42) as a primary inertia body; and a power generation motor (2) as a secondary inertia body, a total inertia moment in a first rotation direction and a total inertia moment in a second rotation direction being balanced with each other by not less than 50%.

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a linear combustion engine, comprising: a cylinder having a cylinder wall and a pair of ends, the cylinder including a combustion section disposed in a center portion of the cylinder; a pair of opposed piston assemblies adapted to move linearly within the cylinder, each piston assembly disposed on one side of the combustion section opposite the other piston assembly, each piston assembly including a spring rod and a piston comprising a solid front section adjacent the combustion section and a gas section; and a pair of linear electromagnetic machines adapted to directly convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and adapted to directly convert electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly for providing compression work during the compression stroke.