Analysis and testing of internal combustion engine driven linear alternator

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20998/2074-272X.2023.1.01

Keywords:

linear generator, electric vehicle, hybrid vehicle, internal combustion engine

Abstract

Introduction. Internal combustion engine technology has been considered for the alternator system in the last two decades. Especially when considering fuel diversity, reliability, portability, power density, research studies are increasing day by day. In this respect, interest has been focused on linear generator studies. Purpose. The goal of the research is to investigate the performance of a linear generator and its application to generate electrical energy from an internal combustion engine to solve the range problem of small electric powered vehicles. The generator, unlike a traditional generator, consists of a linear generator with a crank mechanism driven by an internal combustion engine. Originality. The configuration of the linear generator with internal combustion engine crank has not previously been reported. Methods. The numerical solution of the generator was carried out by the finite element method in the Ansys Maxwell software in a cylindrical coordinate system. The effect of stroke length and frequency on voltage and output power was investigated by monitoring an external electrical load. A prototype linear generator has been designed and produced considering the sizing dimensions. The configuration can be used in power-hungry applications and increase the range of small electric vehicles. Results. The results from simulation and practice are largely in agreement. Practical value. A practical mechanical system was built comprising a linear generator connected to a 2.2 kW internal combustion engine via a crank connecting rod for analysis.

Author Biographies

S. Arslan, Harran University

Assistance Professor

H. Mellah, Akhli Mohend Oulhadj University

PhD

References

Jia B., Smallbone A., Zuo Z., Feng H., Roskilly A.P. Design and simulation of a two- or four-stroke free-piston engine generator for range extender applications. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016, vol. 111, pp. 289-298. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.12.063.

Guo C., Feng H., Jia B., Zuo Z., Guo Y., Roskilly T. Research on the operation characteristics of a free-piston linear generator: Numerical model and experimental results. Energy Conversion and Management, 2017, vol. 131, pp. 32-43. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.11.010.

Chiang C.-J., Yang J.-L., Lan S.-Y., Shei T.-W., Chiang W.-S., Chen B.-L. Dynamic modeling of a SI/HCCI free-piston engine generator with electric mechanical valves. Applied Energy, 2013, vol. 102, pp. 336-346. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.07.033.

Schneider S., Rinderknecht F., Friedrich H.E. Design of future concepts and variants of The Free Piston Linear Generator. 2014 Ninth International Conference on Ecological Vehicles and Renewable Energies (EVER), 2014, pp. 1-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/EVER.2014.6844029.

Mao J., Zuo Z., Feng H. Parameters coupling designation of diesel free-piston linear alternator. Applied Energy, 2011, vol. 88, no. 12, pp. 4577-4589. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.05.051.

Miao Y., Zuo Z., Feng H., Guo C., Song Y., Jia B., Guo Y. Research on the Combustion Characteristics of a Free-Piston Gasoline Engine Linear Generator during the Stable Generating Process. Energies, 2016, vol. 9, no. 8, art. no. 655. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en9080655.

Xiao J., Li Q., Huang Z. Motion characteristic of a free piston linear engine. Applied Energy, 2010, vol. 87, no. 4, pp. 1288-1294. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.07.005.

Aichlmayr H.T., Kittlelson D.B., Zachariah M.R. Micro-homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion: Investigations employing detailed chemical kinetic modeling and experiments. Chemical and Physical Processes in Combustion, Fall Technical Meeting, The Eastern States Section, 2001, pp. 384-387.

Mikalsen R. An investigation into the free-piston engine concept and its potential for high efficiency and low emissions power generation. PhD Thesis. Newcastle University, United Kingdom, 2008. 192 p. Available at: http://theses.ncl.ac.uk/jspui/handle/10443/3145 (Accessed 16 March 2022).

Hong S., Choi H.-Y., Lim J.-W., Lim H.-J., Jung H.-K. Analysis of tubular-type linear generator for free-piston engine. Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal, 2007, vol. 1, no. 05, pp. 719-722. doi: https://doi.org/10.24084/repqj05.365.

Hu Y., Xu Z., Sun Y., Liu L. Electromagnetic Characteristics Analysis of a Tubular Moving Magnet Linear Generator System. Applied Sciences, 2020, vol. 10, no. 11, art. no. 3713. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/app10113713.

Ahmed T. Raheem, A. Rashid A. Aziz, Saiful A. Zulkifli, Abdalrazak T. Rahem, Wasiu B Ayandotun. Development, Validation, and Performance Evaluation of An Air-Driven Free-Piston Linear Expander Numerical Model. Evergreen, 2022, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 72-85. doi: https://doi.org/10.5109/4774218.

Wu L., Feng H., Jia B., Tang Z., Yan X., Wang W. A novel method to investigate the power generation characteristics of linear generator in full frequency operation range applied to opposed-piston free-piston engine generator _ Simulation and test results. Energy, 2022, vol. 254, art. no. 124235. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2022.124235.

Hanipah M.R., Mikalsen R., Roskilly A.P. Recent commercial free-piston engine developments for automotive applications. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2015, vol. 75, pp. 493-503. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2014.09.039.

Hung N.B., Lim O. A review of free-piston linear engines. Applied Energy, 2016, vol. 178, pp. 78-97. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.038.

Jia B., Zuo Z., Feng H., Tian G., Roskilly A.P. Investigation of the Starting Process of Free-piston Engine Generator by Mechanical Resonance. Energy Procedia, 2014, vol. 61, pp. 572-577. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.1173.

Zulkifli S.A., Karsiti M.N., Aziz A.R.A. Starting of a free-piston linear engine-generator by mechanical resonance and rectangular current commutation. 2008 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, 2008, pp. 1-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/VPPC.2008.4677748.

Zulkifli S.A., Karsiti M.N., A-Aziz A.-R. Investigation of linear generator starting modes by mechanical resonance and rectangular current commutation. 2009 IEEE International Electric Machines and Drives Conference, 2009, pp. 425-433. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/IEMDC.2009.5075241.

Zulkifli S.A., Karsiti M.N., Abd. Rashid Abd. Aziz. Rectangular current commutation and open-loop control for starting of a free-piston linear engine-generator. 2008 IEEE 2nd International Power and Energy Conference, 2008, pp. 1086-1091. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PECON.2008.4762637.

Li Y., Zuo Z., Feng H., Jia B. Parameters matching requirements for diesel free piston linear alternator start-up. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 2015, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814015574408.

Kim Y.W., Lim J.W., Jung H.K. Starting mode analysis of flat-type linear generator for free-piston engine. The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers, 2008, vol. 57, no. 6, pp. 966-971.

Hanipah M.R., Razali A.R. The numerical assessment of motion strategies for integrated linear motor during starting of a free-piston engine generator. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 2017, vol. 257, art. no. 012054. doi: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/257/1/012054.

Song Y., Feng H., Zuo Z., Wang M., Guo C. Comparison Research on Different Injection Control Strategy of CI Free Piston Linear Generator in One-time Starting Process. Energy Procedia, 2014, vol. 61, pp. 1597-1601. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2014.12.180.

Abdulwehab A.I., Ezrann Zharif B. Zainal A., Rashid A.A., Saiful A.Z. Effect of Injection Timing on the Operation of Hydrogen-Fuelled Free-Piston Linear Generator Engine during Starting. International Journal of Automotive Engineering, 2013, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 47-53. doi: https://doi.org/10.20485/jsaeijae.4.2_47.

Eid A.M., Suh K. -Y., Choi K. -J., Han H. -D., Lee H. -W., Nakaoka M. A Unique Starting Scheme of Linear-Engine Tubular PM Linear Generator System Using Position Feedback Controlled PWM Inverter. 2006 37th IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, 2006, pp. 1-5. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PESC.2006.1712166.

Wang X., Chen F., Zhu R., Yang G., Zhang C. A Review of the Design and Control of Free-Piston Linear Generator. Energies, 2018, vol. 11, no. 8, art. no. 2179. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en11082179.

Arslan S., Gurdal O. Polygonal tubular linear permanent magnet generator analysis and experimental test. Scientia Iranica, 2022, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 168-182. doi: https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2019.50094.2739.

Arslan S., Gurdal O., Akkaya Oy.S. Design and optimization of tubular linear permanent-magnet generator with performance improvement using response surface methodology and multi-objective genetic algorithm. Scientia Iranica, 2020, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 3053-3065. doi: https://doi.org/10.24200/sci.2018.50093.1506.

Virsik R., Heron A. Free piston linear generator in comparison to other range-extender technologies. 2013 World Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition (EVS27), 2013, pp. 1-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/EVS.2013.6914925.

Serdal A., Gurdal O. Hibrit Araçlar İçin Serbest Pistonlu Doğrusal Jeneratör Çeşitlerinin İncelenmesi. Mesleki Bilimler Dergisi, 2017, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 540-552. (Tur).

Cheng C.-H., Dhanasekaran S. Numerical Analysis and Parametric Study of a 7 kW Tubular Permanent Magnet Linear Alternator. Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, no. 13, art. no. 7192. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137192.

Rymsha V.V., Radimov I.N., Gulyy M.V., Merkulov I.V. Motorsolve software package: verification of parameters and characteristics of the brushless permanent magnet motor. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics, 2019, no. 5, pp. 20-24. doi: https://doi.org/10.20998/2074-272X.2019.5.03.

Bianchi N., Bolognani S., Cappello A.D.F. Back EMF improvement and force ripple reduction in PM linear motor drives. 2004 IEEE 35th Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (IEEE Cat. No.04CH37551), 2004, vol. 5, pp. 3372-3377. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PESC.2004.1355071.

Panchal T.H., Patel A.N., Patel R.M. Reduction of cogging torque of radial flux permanent magnet brushless DC motor by magnet shifting technique. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics, 2022, no. 3, pp. 15-20. doi: https://doi.org/10.20998/2074-272X.2022.3.03.

Tajdiny A., Monsef H., Lessani H. Design and analysis of a novel yokeless mover permanent magnet linear generator for free piston engine converter. IET Electric Power Applications, 2021, vol. 15, no. 10, pp. 1314-1330. doi: https://doi.org/10.1049/elp2.12101.

Downloads

Published

2023-01-04

How to Cite

Arslan, S., & Mellah, H. (2023). Analysis and testing of internal combustion engine driven linear alternator. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics, (1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.20998/2074-272X.2023.1.01

Issue

Section

Electrical Machines and Apparatus