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Title: Advanced combustion free-piston engines: A comprehensive review

Abstract

A reciprocating engine without a crank-slider mechanism is called a free-piston engine. If the piston is directly connected to a linear alternator, it is called a free-piston linear alternator. Free-piston engines and free-piston linear alternators have the potential to offer solutions for future hybrid electric vehicles and stationary power generation, by enabling direct conversion of mechanical energy to electricity. They benefit from reduced friction losses compared to conventional engines and can have variable compression ratio, which enables combustion control and optimization. Their widespread application has been limited by the necessity for high-speed control strategies. However, their operating characteristics can provide high efficiency, especially when used with low temperature combustion strategies. Low temperature combustion combines the high thermal efficiency of diesel engines, with the low soot emissions of spark-ignition engines, and low NO x emissions because of low burned gas temperatures. This article provides a comprehensive review of free-piston engine technology, with a focus on advanced combustion processes and their potential for use in future powertrain systems.

Authors:
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1475080
Resource Type:
Published Article
Journal Name:
International Journal of Engine Research
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: International Journal of Engine Research Journal Volume: 21 Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 1468-0874
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English

Citation Formats

Zhou, Yingcong, Sofianopoulos, Aimilios, Lawler, Benjamin, and Mamalis, Sotirios. Advanced combustion free-piston engines: A comprehensive review. United Kingdom: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.1177/1468087418800612.
Zhou, Yingcong, Sofianopoulos, Aimilios, Lawler, Benjamin, & Mamalis, Sotirios. Advanced combustion free-piston engines: A comprehensive review. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087418800612
Zhou, Yingcong, Sofianopoulos, Aimilios, Lawler, Benjamin, and Mamalis, Sotirios. Mon . "Advanced combustion free-piston engines: A comprehensive review". United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087418800612.
@article{osti_1475080,
title = {Advanced combustion free-piston engines: A comprehensive review},
author = {Zhou, Yingcong and Sofianopoulos, Aimilios and Lawler, Benjamin and Mamalis, Sotirios},
abstractNote = {A reciprocating engine without a crank-slider mechanism is called a free-piston engine. If the piston is directly connected to a linear alternator, it is called a free-piston linear alternator. Free-piston engines and free-piston linear alternators have the potential to offer solutions for future hybrid electric vehicles and stationary power generation, by enabling direct conversion of mechanical energy to electricity. They benefit from reduced friction losses compared to conventional engines and can have variable compression ratio, which enables combustion control and optimization. Their widespread application has been limited by the necessity for high-speed control strategies. However, their operating characteristics can provide high efficiency, especially when used with low temperature combustion strategies. Low temperature combustion combines the high thermal efficiency of diesel engines, with the low soot emissions of spark-ignition engines, and low NO x emissions because of low burned gas temperatures. This article provides a comprehensive review of free-piston engine technology, with a focus on advanced combustion processes and their potential for use in future powertrain systems.},
doi = {10.1177/1468087418800612},
journal = {International Journal of Engine Research},
number = 7,
volume = 21,
place = {United Kingdom},
year = {Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}

Journal Article:
Free Publicly Available Full Text
Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.1177/1468087418800612

Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 13 works
Citation information provided by
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