A power generation system and method including a first heat exchanger, a first thermal engine, and a first power generator on a first working medium line L1 that circulates a first working medium W1, a second heat exchanger, a third working medium supply device that supplies a third working medium W3, and a mixing device for mixing a second working medium W2 and the third working medium. A second thermal engine, and a second power generator are included on a second working medium line L2 that circulates the second working medium. On both of a downstream side of the first thermal engine on the first working medium line and a downstream side of the second thermal engine on the second working medium line, a third heat exchanger is included. Also included is a third working medium discharge device for discharging the third working medium to the third heat exchanger.

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.

Various embodiments described herein provide for energy harvesting using one or more of electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and electrostatic transduction mechanisms to convert movement or vibration into electric energy. Some embodiments may comprise an energy harvesting component, or a system of energy harvesting components, that converts kinetic energy from movement or vibration into electric energy. Additionally, some embodiments may be adapted or configured for use within a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone or a smartphone) or a wearable device (e.g., a smartwatch) such that motion or vibration felt within the mobile/wearable device can be converted by those embodiments into electric energy, which can assist in recharging the mobile/wearable device's battery.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a driver section may be provided in a free-piston combustion engine for storing energy during an expansion stroke. The driver section may be configured to store sufficient energy to perform the subsequent stroke. In some embodiments, the driver section may be configured to store sufficient energy so as to enable the engine to operate continuously across engine cycles without electrical energy input. A linear electromagnetic machine may be provided in a free-piston combustion engine for converting the kinetic energy of a piston assembly into electrical energy.

A homogeneous charge compression ignition free-piston linear generator is disclosed. The linear generator includes a housing having cylinders at opposite ends. A double-ended piston assembly is to move linearly in the housing to convert kinetic energy of the piston assembly into electrical energy, and to enable conversion of electrical energy into kinetic energy of the piston assembly. Sensors measure one or more states of the cylinders and/or piston assembly, and a controller controls the linear generator based on the sensor data.

Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.

An electro-hydraulic linear actuator module comprising a stator having a cylindrical bore therethrough, a linear electric machine translator movable axially within the stator bore, a positive displacement chamber adjacent each end of the translator for holding, in use, an incompressible fluid, first and second fluid pathways, one to each chamber, for the flow of an incompressible fluid, wherein movement of the translator along the stator bore alters the volumes of the chambers.

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.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards free-piston combustion engines. As described herein, a driver section may be provided in a free-piston combustion engine for storing energy during an expansion stroke. The driver section may be configured to store sufficient energy to perform the subsequent stroke. In some embodiments, the driver section may be configured to store sufficient energy so as to enable the engine to operate continuously across engine cycles without electrical energy input. A linear electromagnetic machine may be provided in a free-piston combustion engine for converting the kinetic energy of a piston assembly into electrical energy.

An internal combustion engine has a brace and/or an engine block mounting system coupled to the engine block and arranged to reinforce and minimize deformation of the engine block. The reinforcement and reduced deformation of the engine block allows a lubrication system to provide reduced oil pressure to minimized clearances between mating internal engine components in relative motion. Meanwhile, permanent magnets are disposed in the piston, the connecting rods, and/or the crankshaft. Electromagnets are disposed in the engine block, the cylinder head, the brace, and/or the oil pan. A control system selectively provides an electrical current to the electromagnets to produce a desired magnetic field and affect the motion of the crankshaft. In at least one embodiment, the brace has a circular structure that surrounds part of the crankshaft and supports the plurality of electromagnets. In other embodiments, the brace is coupled to the main caps that support the crankshaft.