Linear Permanent Magnet Electric Generator for Free Piston Engine Applications

As a response to the major climatic changes due to global warming and the foreseen oil shortages once the natural reserves will perish, most vehicle manufacturers began research programs on alternative fuel vehicles. The Hybrid Electric Vehicles, as an intermediate step to full electric vehicles, can incorporate Free Piston Engine - Linear Electric Generator systems to produce the required electric energy. A novel six-side, 3 phase, linear generator with permanent magnets on the translator is proposed. For designing the generator a different approach is used: geometric dimensions and electric parameters are determined based on an Equivalent Magnetic Circuit implemented in National Instruments' LabVIEW. Based on these values a three dimensional finite elements analysis model of the linear generator is created to validate the method.