Design of a Linear Synchronous Generator and Examination of the Driving Range for a Free-Piston Engine Linear Generator System

抄録

A free-piston engine linear generator (FPEG) system is a linear generator, which generates electricity when a free piston reciprocates the combustion thrust produced by internal combustion. It is expected that this system can be applied to hybrid vehicles. In an FPEG system, the high combustion energy is instantly added to a free piston. Nevertheless, it is difficult for a linear synchronous generator (LSG) to convert combustion energy into electric energy by using the output of the LSG given the limit of the inverter capacity. Hence, it is necessary for an LSG to convert combustion energy into electric energy while distributing the combustion energy in one stroke. Moreover, if an LSG is driven at high velocity and high thrust within the limit of an inverter capacity, then the LSG converts the high combustion energy into electric energy. In this study, we propose a configuration of an LSG with a typical output of 10kW and a generation efficiency of 97% for an FPEG, and we evaluate its static thrust and magnetic flux density distribution using finite element method (FEM) analysis. Moreover, we examine the driving range of the LSG for an FPEG system.