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.

Systems and methods for providing power to devices at a well site employ a linear alternator to generate power at a well site. The linear alternator is mounted on a pump at the well site and uses the up-and-down motion of the pump to generate power. The pump may be a nodding donkey head pump or other sucker rod pump mechanisms that operate based on linear vertical motion. The linear vertical motion drives a linear rotor back and forth through a linear stator to induce current in the linear alternator. This allows the linear alternator to convert a portion of the mechanical work performed by the pump into electrical energy that can be supplied to the devices. In some embodiments, the pump-mounted linear alternator can be equipped with a position sensor to directly measure a vertical position of the pump as the alternator travels up and down with the pump.

A free piston generator based on a rigid synchronous transmission system is provided, which belongs to the technical field of power energy. The present disclosure solves the problems of low power generation efficiency and low stability of the existing free piston generator. The free piston generator based on the rigid synchronous transmission system includes a first linear generator set, a second linear generator set, a rigid synchronous transmission assembly, two high-pressure cylinders arranged at two ends of the first linear generator set, and two low-pressure cylinders arranged at two ends of the second linear generator set. The combustion product is firstly subjected to first-stage expansion in the high-pressure cylinder and is then subjected to second-stage expansion in the low-pressure cylinder, which effectively increases the energy utilization in exhaust gas, also increases the expansion work, and further improves the thermal efficiency and the power generation efficiency of the free piston generator. By means of the rigid synchronous transmission assembly, high-pressure pistons and low-pressure pistons are always kept in stable phase operation, so as to avoid the problems of wall-impingement and insufficient pressure of compressed air due to the phase mismatching.

A method and apparatus for detecting the displacement amplitude of an armature of a linear motor or alternator that is drivingly coupled to a load or prime mover. The method and apparatus require only three inputs all derived from the input terminals of the linear motor or alternator: (1) the voltage measured across the linear motor terminals; (2) the current consumed by the linear motor; and (3) the phase between the voltage and current. The three inputs are sensed at the terminals of the linear motor or alternator and used to perform mathematical calculations in the microcomputer of a control system or controller. The mathematical calculations are based on equivalent circuits that are modifications of the equivalent circuit for the linear motor or alternator. The detected displacement amplitude can be used by a controller to limit the displacement amplitude of the armature to prevent collisions.

An integrated linear generator system includes, for example, a generator assembly, a control system, a frame system, an exhaust system, an intake system, a cooling system, a bearing system, one or more auxiliary systems, or a combination thereof. The generator system is configured to generate power, as controlled by the control system. The generator assembly may include an opposed- and free-piston linear generator, configured to operate on a two-stroke cycle. The intake and exhaust systems are configured to provide reactants to and remove products from the generator assembly, respectively. The cooling system is configured to effect heat transfer, material temperature, or both, of components of the integrated linear generator system. The bearing system is configured to constrain the off-axis motion of translators of the generator assembly without applying significant friction forces. The frame system is configured to manage rigidity, flexibility, and alignment of components of the integrated linear generator system.

Various examples are provided related to opposing piston synchronized linear machines. In one example, among others, an opposed piston synchronized linear machine includes a linear engine having opposed piston assemblies including two pistons that move linearly in opposite directions along a longitudinal axis of a central cylinder; first and second linear electromagnetic machines coupled at a proximal end to the piston assemblies; and a resonant driver assembly that provides compression during a compression stroke of the linear engine. The first and second linear electromagnetic machines can convert linear motion provided by the two pistons to electrical energy in a generating mode. The opposed piston assemblies can be synchronously controlled to generate a compression ratio sufficient to combust fuel in a combustion chamber of the central cylinder.

An internal combustion engine has a crankshaft with at least one throw being formed as a complete disc over at least a portion of its thickness. Permanent magnets are attached to the disc of the at least one throw in an annular array. Electromagnets are attached to the engine block, a brace coupled to the engine block, and/or an oil pan mounted to the engine block. The brace may include one or more circular structures surrounding the discs of the throws, and may support the electromagnets. The electromagnets are positioned opposite the permanent magnets. A control system selectively provides electrical current to the electromagnets to affect the motion of the crankshaft, and may further selectively activate and deactivate at least one of the cylinders by stopping fuel flow, spark, and/or intake valve actuation.

Adaptive control of a Free Piston Mover (1, 19), wherein a Control Parameter Set (COPS′) for closed loop control of a Target Control Variable (CV.sub.t) is adapted using a Future-Stroke Controller (20) to respond to Input Demand (21) signals whilst ensuring a sufficient current control margin and compensating for system changes over time. The Control Parameter Set (COPS′) is transmitted to an In-Stroke Controller (23) in advance of the start of a stroke to be controlled, and the In-Stroke Controller (23) transmits a Current Demand (Qt) to a Current Controller (25) of the Free Piston Mover (119).

A linear electrical machine (LEM) comprising: at least onestator mounted in a housing, the housing and stator defining a working cylinder; a two-section central core within the working cylinder, wherein the two sections of the core are co-axial, separate and cantilever mounted within the working cylinder; a cylindrical stator bore cavity between the working cylinder and the two central core sections; and one or more hollow translators, each translator being axially movable within the stator bore cavity, such that each section of the central core is traversed by part of the one or more translators, thereby forming an exterior magnetic circuit airgap between the respective translator and stator.

Systems and methods for converting energy are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a closed cycle engine having a piston body and a piston assembly movable within the piston body. An electric machine is operatively coupled with the piston assembly and operable to generate electrical power. An electrical device is in communication with the electric machine. The system includes a control system having sensors, a controllable device, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine whether a load change on the electric machine is anticipated based at least in part on received data indicative of a load state of the electrical device; in response to whether the load change is anticipated, determine a control command for adjusting an output of at least one of the engine and the electric machine; and cause the controllable device to adjust the output based at least in part on the control command.