A High Efficient Energy Converter for a Hybrid Vehicle Concept

This publication deals with the concept, the explanation, the development and the actual measurement results of a free-piston linear generator (FPLG). The free-piston linear generator is able to convert chemical energy into electrical energy by using a combustion process. In this publication the function and the characteristics of the free-piston linear generator will be explained first. Then the surrounding system and its effects on the FPLG are explained. This is important to understand the effect of every subsystem to the FPLG. In the next step the development based of the three base components, the gas spring [7], the linear generator [4] and the combustion [6] will be explained. Each chapter includes actual measurement results generated on a purpose-built test bench. At the end of the publication the current situation of the FPLG development and the further steps are presented.