Linear Generator

Basics

• A Generator that uses Linear Motion rather than Rotary Motion
• It requires more complex electronics, but may be more efficient in some applications, especially where electricity production is preferred, not rotary motion (ie not a vehicle's Traction Motor etc)
• Also it allows for a more compact and/or simplistic design in some cases (No need for Camshafts / Crankshafts etc )
• Also if done in the form of an Internal Combustion Engine it can even be tuned more via software than hardware

Industry Standards / Existing Work

• It doesn't seem to be too common of a technology as of now, although it may be finally emerging?

Mainspring Energy (Company)

• Their Main Website
  • Their Websites "Company (Essentially "about us" section)
• A Video by the YouTube Channel "Mainspring Energy" Titled "Mainspring Linear Generator"
• Bit of Greenwashing in that they say it is fuel flexible and runs on biofuels, however on the Specifications Page it says "Natural Gas or Biogas w/up to 30% H2 Blend 8-25 psig Inlet Pressure No Water" (So essentially CNG or H-CNG are the ONLY fuel options
  • Need to read up on how it deals with Biogas Fouling ( Siloxanes in Biogas etc )

University of Edinburgh

• A "Fountain Design Co." Page on their Collaboration with the University of Edinburgh on this Project
• A Video by the YouTube Channel "R3n3wabl3s" Titled "Permanent Magnet Linear Generator" (Seems to be a reupload by another person/group?

Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research / Newcastle University

• A Video by the YouTube Channel "Sir Joseph Swan Centre for Energy Research" Titled "Free-piston Engine Range Extender Technology"
• Information seems hard to "pin down" ?
• This may be the same project? This is the Durham Energy Institute video on the topic with very similar visuals / information?

Libertine

• Currently they produce "intelliGEN: A developer platform for opposed Free Piston Engines"
• A Video by the YouTube Channel "Libertine - Linear Power Systems" Titled "intelliGEN: A developer platform for opposed Free Piston Engines" (~1 hour watch time)
• Their Main Website

Sandia National Laboratories

• "Sandia National Laboratory led by Sandia researcher Peter Van Blarigan that has been testing physical components of free-piston engines which could be 50% efficient. This is about twice as good as current combustion engines and about as efficient as fuel cells. Fuel cells are too expensive. He is assembling a complete free-piston engine prototype, a project that he expects to complete within a year."
• Moved from the Free-Piston Engine page

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Internal Links

• Linear Motor
• Free-Piston Engine

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Linear Alternators (Different name that also produces less Google Search Engine Results, also need to check Google Scholar / Science Direct or something for result numbers too, but the OSE Wiki Page's name is good for now i guess)