초록 ▼

A combustion system which can utilize high compression ratios, short burn durations, and homogeneous fuel/air mixtures in conjunction with low equivalence ratios. In particular, a free-piston, two-stroke autoignition internal combustion engine including an electrical generator having a linear altern

A combustion system which can utilize high compression ratios, short burn durations, and homogeneous fuel/air mixtures in conjunction with low equivalence ratios. In particular, a free-piston, two-stroke autoignition internal combustion engine including an electrical generator having a linear alternator with a double-ended free piston that oscillates inside a closed cylinder is provided. Fuel and air are introduced in a two-stroke cycle fashion on each end, where the cylinder charge is compressed to the point of autoignition without spark plugs. The piston is driven in an oscillating motion as combustion occurs successively on each end. This leads to rapid combustion at almost constant volume for any fuel/air equivalence ratio mixture at very high compression ratios. The engine is characterized by high thermal efficiency and low NO.sub.x emissions. The engine is particularly suited for generating electrical current in a hybrid automobile.

대표청구항 ▼

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a housing including a cylinder having first and second combustion chambers at opposite ends thereof, wherein each combustion chamber includes an inlet and outlet;a double-ended piston that is displaceable between the first and second combustion chambers;a linear alternator

[What is claimed is:] [1.]a housing including a cylinder having first and second combustion chambers at opposite ends thereof, wherein each combustion chamber includes an inlet and outlet;a double-ended piston that is displaceable between the first and second combustion chambers;a linear alternator means operable with the piston for converting kinetic energy of the piston into electrical energy;a source of fuel and air that supplies a fuel and air mixture into each combustion chamber through the inlets;means for controlling the compression ratio to cause autoignition of the fuel and air mixture in each combustion chamber at a compression ratio of at least about 16:1; andmeans for causing the fuel and air mixture to react following autoignition at a combustion rate so that at least 95% of the fuel is combusted in less than about 80 .mu.sec wherein the engine is characterized by a thermal efficiency of at least about 48%.