CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/276,008 filed on November 5, 2021 , the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to internal combustion engines, and more particularly to oscillating systems using multiple combustion engines that are configured to transform linear motion to energy of another form.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Internal combustion engines are engines in which ignition and combustion of fuel occurs within the engine. The energy from the combustion is partially converted into work. In some existing internal combustion engines, a fixed cylinder is deployed with a moving piston. The expanding combustion gases may push the piston, thereby moving a crankshaft. Through gears or other mechanical components, the movement of the crankshaft drives the machine being powered by the internal combustion engine.

[0004] Example internal combustion engine configurations include single or multi-cylinder piston engines, opposed-piston engines, and rotary engines. The most common types of piston engines are two-stroke and four-stroke engines. In addition, a free piston engine may include a piston that moves without being constrained by a crankshaft. In the case of linear reciprocating engines, a piston may be configured to slide along a linear path. A piston rod may reciprocate along the linear path. Such engines may convert chemical energy, for example the energy of fuels, into a mechanical motion. In turn, the mechanical motion may be used for the purpose of creating work or, for the purpose of transformation into another form of energy. It is desirable to improve such mechanisms for conversion of energy. SUMMARY

[0005] A summary of several example embodiments of the disclosure follows. This summary is provided for the convenience of the reader to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments and does not wholly define the breadth of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. For convenience, the term “some embodiments” or “certain embodiments” may be used herein to refer to a single embodiment or multiple embodiments of the disclosure.

[0006] Certain embodiments herein include a power generator apparatus. The power generator apparatus comprises: a first combustion engine including a first piston having an edge; a second combustion engine including a second piston having an edge; an oscillating electromagnetic power generator including a rotor having a first point and a second point, wherein the oscillating electromagnetic power generator is adapted to generate an electrical current when the rotor rotates; a first connecting rod having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first connecting rod is connected to the edge of the first piston in a radially limited connection, wherein the second end of the first connecting rod is connected to the first point of the rotor in a radially limited connection; and a second connecting rod having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second connecting rod is connected to the edge of the second piston in a radially limited connection, wherein the second end of the second connecting rod is connected to the second point of the rotor in a radially limited connection; wherein the rotor cycles between clockwise and counterclockwise motion as the first piston moves within the first combustion engine and the second piston moves within the second combustion engine.

[0007] Certain embodiments disclosed herein also include an oscillating electromagnetic power generator. The oscillating electromagnetic power generator comprises: a rotor, wherein the oscillating electromagnetic power generator is adapted to generate an electrical current when the rotor rotates, wherein the rotor includes a first connection point and a second connection point; wherein the first connection point is adapted to receive a first connecting rod, wherein the first connecting rod is adapted to connect to a first combustion engine; and wherein the second connection point is adapted to receive a second connecting rod, wherein the second connecting rod is adapted to connect to a first combustion engine; wherein the first connection point provides a limited radial motion of the first connecting rod and the second connection point provides a limited radial motion of the second connecting rod; and wherein the rotor oscillates repeatedly between clockwise and counterclockwise motion upon application of a linear motion on the rotor via the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The subject matter disclosed herein is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1A is a block diagram of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a first position according to a first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 1 B is a block diagram of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at the second position according to a first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 1 C is a block diagram of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a third position according to the first embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2A is a block diagram of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a first position according to a second embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2B is a block diagram of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a second position according to the second embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2C is a block diagram of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a third position according to the second embodiment. [0015] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional view of an oscillating electromagnetic power generator connected to two combustion engines according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 is a side view of an oscillating electromagnetic power generator connected to two combustion engines according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] It is important to note that the embodiments disclosed herein are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed embodiments. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts through several views.

[0018] A plurality of combustion engines is configured such that the inertia and combustion forces inside the power generator cancel each other’s effects, thereby essentially eliminating vibrations during the operation of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator. The plurality of combustions engines is coupled to an electromagnetic oscillator that, due to the back-and-forth motion of pistons of the combustion engines, generates electrical energy under control of a controller. The electrical energy is stored, under control of the controller, in one or more batteries electrically connected to the controller. In an embodiment, the oscillating electromagnetic power generator lacks a flywheel mechanism, and the compression cycle is performed under the control of the controller using energy from the one or more batteries.

[0019] In various disclosed embodiments, the compression cycle is not mechanically connected to the combustion cycle such that the compression time period may be set as different from the combustion time period. This allows for optimal control over the injection cycle as well as the mixing any particular mixture of air and fuel necessary for the combustion cycle. This optimal control is improved as compared to existing solutions in which the compression cycle is mechanically connected to the combustion cycle. Furthermore, it is possible to operate the oscillating electromagnetic charging system in accordance with various disclosed embodiments using 2-stroke and 4-stroke combustion engines. In a further embodiment, the oscillating electromagnetic charging system may be modified in order to use a 2-stroke or 4-stroke combustion engine by updating the control process performed by the controller and adding an electrical valve to the combustion chamber of the combustion engine. It should be understood that the compression cycle may be performed by an electrical controller or under the control of a combustion engine in systems that have more than two engines.

[0020] Reference is now made to FIG. 1A that depicts an example block diagram 100A of an oscillating electromagnetic charging system with the piston connecting rods at a first position according to a first embodiment.

[0021] In an embodiment, each of the combustion engines 130 is equipped with a piston 136, for example the piston 136-1 for combustion engine 130-1 and the piston 136-2 for combustion engine 130-2. Each piston 136 splits the combustion engine volume into two chambers, an air pump chamber 132 (for example, the air pump chamber 132-1 for combustion engine 130-1 and the air pump chamber 132-2 for combustion engine 130- 2) and a combustion chamber 134 (for example, the combustion chamber 134-1 for combustion engine 130-1 and the combustion chamber 134-2 for combustion engine 130- 2). The combustion engines 130 are controlled, via a control circuit 140, so as to have their combustion cycle and compression cycle occur at the same time. In an embodiment, the piston 136 of each combustion engine 130 moves linearly within the confinement of the engine body to provide a linear motion. The combustion engines 130 may include, but are not limited to, free piston combustion engines.

[0022] An oscillating electromagnetic power generator comprises a stator (not shown) and a rotor 110. A first connecting rod 120 (for example the connecting rod 120-1) connects between an edge of the piston 136 (for example, at a point 122-1 of the piston 136-1) and a first point (for example, first point 124-1) of the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator. A second connecting rod 120 (for example, connecting rod 120-2) connects between an edge of the piston 136 (for example, at a point 122-2 of the piston 136-2) and a second point (for example, second point 124-2) of the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator. Each of the point 122 and the point 124 of each of the rods 120 is a connection point on a respective end of the respective connection rod 120 that is designed to provide a radially limited connection that allows for limited radial motion of the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator. In an embodiment, the point 122 and the point 124 of each of the rods 120 are positioned at 180° of each other. In an embodiment, the positioning of these points on essentially the perimeter of the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator depends on the number of combustion engines used. That is, in such an embodiment, if there are N combustion engines 130 (where N is equal to or greater than 2) the separation angle is 360°/N.

[0023] The motion of the pistons 136 of each of the engines 130 causes the rotor 110 of the of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator to rotate repeatedly clockwise and counterclockwise for as long as the combustion engines 130 operate. In an embodiment where N=2, such rotation may be by up to 180°, or may be +/-90 ⁰ (plus or minus 90 degrees from a predetermined value). In an embodiment, the 180° motion may be restricted to a A amount less than 180° degrees in order to ensure that clockwise- counterclockwise oscillation of the system 100 as described herein. The A may be dependent on, but not limited to, engine environment, power, speed, fuel, and other factors. In an example implementation, the motion of the rotor is in the range of +/- 45°, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that other degrees of rotations may be implemented based on particular design requirements without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, the pistons move away from the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator as the combustion cycle begins, thereby causing a counterclockwise motion of the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator.

[0025] FIG. 1 B depicts an example block diagram 100B of the oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at the second position according to an embodiment. When the oscillating electromagnetic power generation system reaches the position shown in FIG. 1 B, the compression cycle begins and as a result the motion continues counterclockwise to end at the position shown in FIG. 1 C.

[0026] FIG. 1 C depicts an example block diagram 100C of the oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a third position according to an embodiment. When the oscillating electromagnetic power generation system reaches the position shown in FIG. 1 C, the process proceeds to repeat in the other direction, i.e., the rotor 110 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator will move clockwise.

[0027] The operation of the oscillating electromagnetic power generation system depicted in FIGS. 1A-C is controlled by the control circuit 140. The control circuit 140 is adapted to control storage of energy in an energy storage unit 150 as the oscillating electromagnetic power generator generates electrical power. The energy storage unit 150 may comprise, but is not limited to, one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, including supercapacitors, and like energy storage components (not depicted in FIGS. 1A-C). The control circuit 140 is further adapted to provide the necessary electrical power to allow for the compression cycle of the combustion engines 130.

[0028] It should be appreciated that, due to the fact that the time period of the compression cycle can be different from the time period of the combustion cycle in accordance with various disclosed embodiments, the process of injection and the process of the mixing of fuel and air can be optimally controlled by the control circuit 140. Moreover, as the combustion and compression cycles are independent of each other, the disclosed embodiments can be readily modified in order to operate with 2-stroke and 4-stroke combustion engines. In the latter case, an electrical valve (not shown) in the combustion chamber 134 is controlled by the control circuit 140. This further allows for injecting at lower pressures, having more time to rid of heat developed in the combustion engine 130, and for providing dynamic frequency changes.

[0029] The control circuit 140 may have an electrical interface, a mechanical interface, an electromechanical interface, or a combination thereof, with the oscillating electromagnetic power generator. As a non-limiting example, an electrical connection between the oscillating electromagnetic power generator and the control circuit 140 may allow for receiving of electrical current from the oscillating electromagnetic power generator in addition to through analysis of the signal determination of the position of the connecting rods 120 at any point in time. Mechanical switches may provide signals to the control circuit 140 by opening and closing certain switches (not shown) of the control circuit 140. In an embodiment, the control circuit 140 may be further adapted to control the internal combustion engine 130. [0030] While the system shown in FIGS. 1A-C is depicted as having two combustion engines 130-1 and 130-2, it should be noted that a different number of combustion engines may be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, an even number of combustion engines may be utilized. Using an even number of combustion engines allows for ensuring that vibrations are controlled within predetermined limits while reducing the burden with respect to the control of the oscillating electromagnetic charging system 100A. When an even number of combustion engines 130 is used, a boxer configuration may be used to cancel out the vibration during operation such that the inertia and combustion forces cancel each other. In other embodiments, an odd number of combustion engines may be utilized. In a further embodiment, the control circuit 140 is configured to adjust control the stride of each combustion engine 130 in order to maintain vibrations within predetermined limits.

[0031] FIGS. 2A-2C depict block diagrams 200A through 200C, respectively, of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system according to another embodiment. Specifically, FIG. 2A depicts a block diagram 200A of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a first position, FIG. 2B depicts a block diagram 200B of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a second position, and FIG. 2C depicts a block diagram 200C of an oscillating electromagnetic power generation system with the piston connecting rods at a third position.

[0032] While operatively similar to the embodiments described herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-C, the linear motion of the pistons according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A- C is further restricted to allow a limited oscillation about the rotational axis of the rotor 110 such as, but not limited to, at most a 45° rotation, i.e. , plus or minus 22.5°. It should be noted that, under control of the control circuit 140, the oscillation maybe controlled to achieve different restricted redial motion when oscillating clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0033] FIG. 3 is an example three-dimensional view of an oscillating electromagnetic power generator 300 connected to two combustion engines according to an embodiment. The combustion engines 130-1 and 130-2 have pistons 136-1 and 136-2, respectively. The pistons 136-1 and 136-2 are connected to a first connecting rod (not marked in FIG. 3) and a second connecting rod 120-2, each at a first end of the respective connecting rod. A second end of each connecting rod opposite to the first end of the respective connecting rod is connected to a rotor 110. FIG. 4 is a side view 400 of the oscillating electromagnetic power generator shown in FIG. 3.

[0034] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosed embodiment and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosed embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

[0035] It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations are generally used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to first and second elements does not mean that only two elements may be employed there or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise, a set of elements comprises one or more elements.

[0036] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” followed by a listing of items means that any of the listed items can be utilized individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be utilized. For example, if a system is described as including “at least one of A, B, and C,” the system can include A alone; B alone; C alone; 2A; 2B; 2C; 3A; A and B in combination; B and C in combination; A and C in combination; A, B, and C in combination; 2A and C in combination; A, 3B, and 2C in combination; and the like.