EP3458682B1 - Free-piston device and method for operating a free-piston device - Google Patents

Free-piston device and method for operating a free-piston device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3458682B1
EP3458682B1 EP17723378.0A EP17723378A EP3458682B1 EP 3458682 B1 EP3458682 B1 EP 3458682B1 EP 17723378 A EP17723378 A EP 17723378A EP 3458682 B1 EP3458682 B1 EP 3458682B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
opening
free
movement
dead center
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17723378.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3458682A1 (en
Inventor
Stephan Schneider
Florian Kock
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
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Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft und Raumfahrt eV
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Publication of EP3458682A1 publication Critical patent/EP3458682A1/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B11/00—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines without rotary main shaft, e.g. of free-piston type
    • F01B11/007—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines without rotary main shaft, e.g. of free-piston type in which the movement in only one direction is obtained by a single acting piston motor, e.g. with actuation in the other direction by spring means
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B11/00—Reciprocating-piston machines or engines without rotary main shaft, e.g. of free-piston type
    • F01B11/02—Equalising or cushioning devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B—MACHINES OR ENGINES, IN GENERAL OR OF POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT TYPE, e.g. STEAM ENGINES
    • F01B7/00—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders
    • F01B7/02—Machines or engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders with oppositely reciprocating pistons
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01P—COOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P3/00—Liquid cooling
    • F01P3/02—Arrangements for cooling cylinders or cylinder heads
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B63/00—Adaptations of engines for driving pumps, hand-held tools or electric generators; Portable combinations of engines with engine-driven devices
    • F02B63/04—Adaptations of engines for driving pumps, hand-held tools or electric generators; Portable combinations of engines with engine-driven devices for electric generators
    • F02B63/041—Linear electric generators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B71/00—Free-piston engines; Engines without rotary main shaft
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B71/00—Free-piston engines; Engines without rotary main shaft
    • F02B71/04—Adaptations of such engines for special use; Combinations of such engines with apparatus driven thereby
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B75/00—Other engines
    • F02B75/28—Engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B75/00—Other engines
    • F02B75/28—Engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders
    • F02B75/282—Engines with two or more pistons reciprocating within same cylinder or within essentially coaxial cylinders the pistons having equal strokes
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
    • F02B—INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL
    • F02B75/00—Other engines
    • F02B75/02—Engines characterised by their cycles, e.g. six-stroke
    • F02B2075/022—Engines characterised by their cycles, e.g. six-stroke having less than six strokes per cycle
    • F02B2075/025—Engines characterised by their cycles, e.g. six-stroke having less than six strokes per cycle two

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a free piston device comprising a piston receptacle in which at least one piston device with a piston is arranged to be linearly movable back and forth, the piston receptacle comprising or forming a combustion chamber delimited by a wall, in which at least one first opening and at least one second opening are formed, which openings comprise at least one inlet opening for the supply of fresh gas and, spaced therefrom in the direction of movement of the piston device, at least one outlet opening for the discharge of exhaust gas for longitudinal purging of the combustion chamber, the movement of the at least one piston device being controllable by means of a control device.
  • the invention also relates to a method for operating such a free piston device.
  • the DE 10 2008 053 069 A1 describes a free piston device with two piston assemblies and pistons positioned in an opposed piston arrangement. At bottom dead center, the piston of the first piston device releases an inlet opening and an outlet opening for cross-flushing of the combustion chamber.
  • the second piston device can be operated in such a way that, depending on the load, the second piston optionally releases or blocks an outlet opening axially spaced from the above-mentioned openings when the piston of the second piston device assumes the bottom dead center.
  • longitudinal scavenging of the combustion chamber can be carried out depending on the load.
  • the US 2005/0109295 A1 describes a free piston engine with a first piston on a first rod and a second piston on a second rod within a housing, which are resiliently held in the housing via leaf springs. Axial movements of the two piston rods are possible, a rotary movement and a radial movement with respect to a piston axis being prevented at the same time.
  • the respective leaf springs are divided into two groups, which are arranged around the first piston rod and the second piston rod and are each axially spaced from one another in order to prevent the piston rods from tilting.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a free piston device of the type mentioned at the beginning and a method for operating such a free piston device in which an operating point of the free piston device can be set in a more versatile manner.
  • the amount of fresh gas or exhaust gas that can be fed in via the at least one first opening can be adjusted by controlling the movement of the piston device by the control device during operation of the free piston device.
  • the setting of the amount of fresh gas and / or exhaust gas can be done structurally simply by selecting the bottom dead center of the piston so that the at least one first opening is partially released to open a desired opening cross-section and otherwise partially blocked. Ever Depending on the size of the free cross-sectional area, more or less fresh gas or exhaust gas can flow through the at least one first opening.
  • this can alternatively or additionally also be achieved in that the movement of the piston device is controlled during operation in such a way that the opening duration is set during which the at least one first opening is fully or at least partially released, the position of the lower Dead center of the piston is not changed relative to the piston receptacle itself.
  • the time that the piston needs to pass through bottom dead center can be set accordingly, thereby influencing the duration during which fresh gas can flow into the combustion chamber or exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber.
  • the solution according to the invention makes it possible to influence the flushing process for the combustion chamber, as a result of which versatile operation of the free piston device is possible.
  • the ratio of fresh gas and exhaust gas can be adjusted with a view to optimized combustion.
  • the boost pressure and thus also the temperature in the combustion chamber can be controlled, for example, with a constant frequency of the free piston device.
  • Flow conditions in the combustion chamber such as turbulence, swirl and tumble can preferably be controlled via the boost pressure, for example with the same filling of the combustion chamber.
  • the gas exchange can therefore be set depending on the frequency of the free piston device, the desired boost pressure, the residual gas content, the ignition variant (external or compression ignition), the desired load and / or the flow ratio (turbulence, swirl, tumble ).
  • control or “control” is to be interpreted in such a way that, as an alternative or in addition, “regulation” or “regulating” is also meant. “Control” is therefore to be understood here as “control and / or regulation”.
  • fresh gas is understood to mean a gas or gas mixture (in particular air) for internal combustion in the combustion chamber, it also being possible for a fuel to be added to the gas or gas mixture.
  • fresh gas can therefore also denote a gas-fuel mixture which can flow into the combustion chamber via the at least one inlet opening.
  • exhaust gas denotes a combustion product of internal combustion.
  • a supply line for fresh gas or a discharge line for exhaust gas is connected or can be connected to the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening.
  • the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening in the wall are designed, for example, in the shape of a slot.
  • More than one first opening can be provided, for example a plurality of first openings which are formed in the wall in the circumferential direction of an axis of the piston device.
  • the at least one first opening can be completely opened by the piston when the bottom dead center is reached. As a result, the amount of fresh gas flowing in or exhaust gas flowing out can be maximized.
  • the at least one inlet opening is advantageously spaced apart from each outlet opening along the direction of movement of the piston device.
  • this can in particular be understood to mean that there is no outlet opening opposite a respective inlet opening transversely to the direction of movement of the piston device and, accordingly, no transverse scavenging of the combustion chamber is carried out. Instead, only longitudinal flushing takes place via the inlet and outlet openings which are spaced apart from one another along the direction of movement.
  • the free piston device preferably comprises an energy coupling device coupled to the control device, the movement of the at least one piston device being controllable by the control device via the energy coupling device.
  • the control device can activate the energy coupling device for controlling the movement of the piston device.
  • the energy coupling device comprises, in particular, a linear generator.
  • the linear generator can comprise a rotor arrangement fixed on the piston device and a stator arrangement fixed on the piston receptacle.
  • the rotor arrangement and stator arrangement include, in particular, magnets or coils.
  • the free piston device comprises a return spring device coupled to the control device for the at least one piston device.
  • the return spring device can preferably be activated by the control device for controlling the movement of the at least one piston device.
  • the spring-back device is or comprises in particular a gas spring. The hardness of the gas spring can, even during operation, be adjusted by means of the control device, preferably by supplying gas or removing gas.
  • a mechanical spring-back device can be provided as the spring-back device.
  • the at least one first opening is an inlet opening and the at least one second opening is an outlet opening.
  • the at least one first opening is an outlet opening and the at least one second opening is an inlet opening.
  • An advantageous embodiment of a free piston device that is not claimed provides (precisely) a piston device, with at least one valve controllable by the control device for releasing or blocking the at least one second opening being arranged on the at least one second opening.
  • the piston of the one piston device at least partially releases the at least one first opening at bottom dead center and / or the opening duration of the at least one first opening can be set as explained above.
  • the at least one second opening can be released via the control device via the at least one valve at the second opening and the gas exchange can thereby be carried out.
  • the at least one second opening is arranged, for example, on the end face of the wall of the combustion chamber and lies opposite a piston surface of the piston.
  • the free piston device has a further piston device with a Comprises piston, which is arranged linearly reciprocating in the piston receptacle, the pistons of both piston devices are positioned in opposed piston arrangement and the combustion chamber is formed between the pistons.
  • the opposing piston arrangement can preferably compensate for the moving masses and moments.
  • the piston devices oscillate opposite to one another in the piston receptacle.
  • the piston of the further piston device is at least partially movable via at least one further opening in the wall, and the amount of exhaust gas or fresh gas that can be discharged via the at least one further opening can be controlled via the movement of the further piston device when the control device is in operation.
  • the flushing process and the charge exchange can be influenced in a manner corresponding to that in the region of the at least one first opening.
  • the amount of exhaust gas discharged via the at least one further opening or fresh gas supplied can be influenced by the control device also controlling the movement of the second piston device.
  • the at least one further opening is in particular and advantageously a second opening.
  • the movements of the piston devices can be controlled in such a way that the amount of fresh gas via the at least one first opening or exhaust gas via the at least one second opening can be adjusted via a respective piston during operation of the free piston device.
  • the at least one further opening is a first opening, the at least one second opening being positioned between the first openings along the direction of movement of the piston devices.
  • a valve controllable by the control device is provided at the at least one second opening.
  • the bottom dead center of the piston of the further piston device is adjustable, the at least one further opening when the lower one is taken Dead center is partially exposed and partially blocked by the piston for setting a free cross-sectional area of the at least one further opening.
  • an opening duration can be set during which the piston of the further piston device at least partially releases the at least one further opening when passing through the bottom dead center, also while maintaining the position of the bottom dead center.
  • the movement of the further piston device can be controlled in such a way that the time for passing through the bottom dead center of the further piston is set in such a way as to set the amount of fresh gas that can be fed in or the amount of exhaust gas that can be removed.
  • the same stroke of both piston devices can advantageously be set.
  • the movement of the two piston devices can preferably be controlled antisymmetrically to one another.
  • the free piston device preferably comprises a spring-back device for the further piston device.
  • the movement of the further piston device can also be controlled.
  • the at least one further piston device is / are assigned a spring-back device and / or energy coupling device coupled to the control device, the movement of the at least one further piston device being controllable via the spring-back device and / or the energy coupling device, the energy coupling device preferably comprising a linear generator.
  • the free piston device can comprise a spring-back device and / or an energy coupling device for controlling a respective piston device.
  • the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening are arranged and / or configured symmetrically to one another on the piston receptacle. This is particularly advantageous with the same stroke and antisymmetrical movement of the piston devices with respect to one another.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for operating a free piston device, comprising a piston receptacle in which at least one piston device with a piston is arranged to be linearly movable back and forth, the piston receptacle comprising or forming a combustion chamber delimited by a wall, in which at least one first opening and at least one second opening are formed, which openings comprise at least one inlet opening for the supply of fresh gas and, spaced therefrom in the direction of movement of the piston device, at least one outlet opening for the discharge of exhaust gas for longitudinal purging of the combustion chamber, the movement of the at least one piston device is controlled by means of a control device.
  • the method according to the invention allows the flushing process and thus the gas exchange to be stopped when the free piston device is in operation.
  • the boost pressure and thus the temperature in the combustion chamber can be adjusted.
  • the flow conditions such as turbulence, swirl and tumble can be controlled.
  • a transition from an operation with external ignition with a low residual gas proportion to an operation with compression ignition with a high residual gas proportion and vice versa can preferably be carried out individually for each cycle.
  • Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a free-piston device according to the invention, assigned the reference number 10, which in particular forms a free-piston engine 12.
  • the free piston device 10 comprises a piston receptacle 16 which forms a housing 14.
  • two piston devices 18, 20 are arranged such that they can move linearly to and fro along a common axis 22 defined by them.
  • a respective piston device 18, 20 comprises a piston 24 or 26, a piston rod 28 or 30 and a counter-piston 32 or 34.
  • the piston devices 18, 20 and thus the pistons 24, 26 are positioned in a counter-piston arrangement, with piston surfaces 36 of the piston 24, 26 face each other.
  • the piston receptacle 16 comprises a combustion chamber 40 delimited by a wall 38 of the housing 14.
  • the combustion chamber 40 is variable in size as a result of the opposing movement of the piston devices 18, 20 and is formed between the piston surfaces 36.
  • First openings 42 and second openings 44 are formed in the wall 38. In the present case there are two first and two second openings 42, 44, respectively. however, the number could also be different.
  • the openings 42, 44 are designed, for example, as slots in the wall 38.
  • the first openings 42 are inlet openings 46. Fresh gas can flow into the combustion chamber 40 via the inlet openings 46 during the gas exchange.
  • Inlet lines (not shown in the drawing) which open into the combustion chamber 40 via the inlet openings 46 can be connected to the wall 38.
  • the second openings 44 are outlet openings 48. Exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber 40 via the outlet openings 48 during the gas exchange. At the outlet openings 48, outlet lines (not shown in the drawing) can be connected to the wall 38, the combustion chamber 40 opening into the outlet lines via the outlet openings 48.
  • the inlet openings 46 are arranged symmetrically to the outlet openings 48 on the piston receptacle 16 and can preferably be configured identically to these.
  • the inlet openings 46 are assigned to the piston device 18 and in particular its piston 24.
  • the piston 24 forms a valve body for closing and releasing the inlet openings 46.
  • the piston 24 completely or partially releases the inlet openings at bottom dead center, and the opening duration of the inlet openings 46 can be adjusted.
  • the outlet openings 48 are assigned to the piston device 20 and in particular its piston 26.
  • the piston 26 forms a valve body for closing and releasing the outlet openings 48.
  • the piston 26 completely or partially releases the outlet openings, and the opening duration of the outlet openings 48 can be adjusted.
  • the piston devices 18, 20 are advantageously designed identically.
  • the free piston device 10 has a return spring device 50 assigned to the piston device 18, which is preferably designed as a gas spring 52.
  • a resilience space 54 is formed with gas received therein.
  • the piston device 18 moves under compression of the gas in the resilience chamber 54.
  • the piston device 18 is moved in the opposite direction.
  • a spring-back device 56 designed as a gas spring 58, is provided for the piston device 20, with a spring-back space 60 formed in the piston receptacle 16.
  • the free piston device 10 has an energy coupling device 62 assigned to the piston device 18, in the present case designed as a linear generator 64.
  • the linear generator 64 comprises a rotor arrangement 66 on the piston rod 28 and a stator arrangement 68 on the piston receptacle 16.
  • the free piston device 10 comprises, associated with the piston device 20, an energy coupling device 70 configured as a linear generator 72.
  • the linear generator 72 comprises a rotor arrangement 74 on the piston rod 30 and a stator arrangement 76 on the piston receptacle 16.
  • the free piston device 10 has a control device 78.
  • the control device 78 shown schematically via control lines 79 and 80, is coupled to the spring-back device 50 and the spring-back device 56, respectively.
  • the spring force of the gas springs 52, 58 can preferably be adjusted by means of the control device 78 for controlling the movement of the piston device 18, 20 during operation.
  • control lines 81 and 82 schematically show the coupling of the control device 78 to the linear generators 64 and 72, respectively.
  • control in the present case also includes “regulate” in particular.
  • An ignition device 84 which can be activated by the control device 78 via a control line 86, can be provided on the combustion chamber 40.
  • An injection device (not shown in the drawing) can also be provided on combustion chamber 40, likewise controllable by control device 78. A fuel can be introduced into combustion chamber 40 via the injection device.
  • the "fresh gas" which can be supplied via the inlet openings 46 can be a gas-fuel mixture of gas or gas mixture with added fuel.
  • the free-piston device 10 is operated in two-stroke operation, in which the piston devices 18, 20 are moved antisymmetrically to one another.
  • the gas-fuel mixture compressed in the combustion chamber 40 is ignited by means of the ignition device 84 or by self-ignition, as a result of which the piston devices 18, 20 are driven apart.
  • the inlet openings 46 and the outlet openings 48 are at least partially released, as explained below.
  • the combustion chamber 40 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is longitudinally flushed with fresh gas entering through the inlet opening 46 and exhaust gas discharged through the outlet opening 48.
  • the upward movement of the pistons 24, 26 due to the gas springs 52, 58 compresses the fuel mixture for running through the subsequent cycle.
  • Both pistons 24, 26 pass through a respective top dead center OT and a respective bottom dead center UT.
  • the amount of fresh gas that can flow into the combustion chamber 40 during the gas exchange via the inlet openings 46 can be controlled by the movement of the piston device 18, and / or the amount of exhaust gas that can flow through the gas exchange during the gas exchange Outlet openings 48 can flow out of the combustion chamber 40.
  • the control device 78 can set the movement of the piston device 18 to assume a predeterminable bottom dead center UT. This is exemplified in Figure 2 shown, the position of the bottom dead center is marked as UT1.
  • the inlet openings 46 are in the example of FIG Figure 2 partially open and partially blocked by the piston 24.
  • the free cross-sectional area for controlling the amount of fresh gas flowing in during the gas exchange can be adjusted.
  • the movement of the piston device 20 in the free piston device 10 can advantageously be controlled in a corresponding manner in such a way that the outlet openings 48 from the piston 26 are completely or partially cleared.
  • the piston 26, which also forms a valve body for the outlet openings 48 assumes a bottom dead center UT1 '.
  • the outlet openings 48 of the piston 26 are partially released and otherwise blocked.
  • the movement of the piston device 20 can also be controlled in such a way that the free cross-sectional area of the outlet openings 48 is adjusted in order to control the amount of exhaust gas discharged during the gas exchange and flushing process.
  • the Figure 4 shows, by way of example, how the movements of the piston devices 18, 20 can be controlled differently in order to assume a different operating point of the free piston device 10.
  • the movement of the piston device 18 is controlled in such a way that its piston 24 completely releases the inlet openings 46 when the bottom dead center UT2 is reached.
  • the amount of fresh gas flowing in during the gas exchange is greater than that in Figure 2 example shown because the free cross-sectional area of the inlet openings 46 is larger and in particular maximized.
  • the movement of the piston device 20 is controlled in such a way that the outlet openings 48 are completely released when the piston 26 assumes the bottom dead center UT2 ′. Due to the larger cross-sectional area than the one in the Figure 2 In the example shown, the amount of exhaust gas discharged is greater during the gas exchange than when the piston 26 assumes the bottom dead center UT1 ', as explained above.
  • the Figures 3 and 5 illustrate schematically how different residual gas contents are present in the combustion chamber 40 during the upward movement of the pistons 24, 26 after the flushing process.
  • Fresh gas is in the Figures 3 and 5 represented by open circles 88 and residual gas by black dots 90. Because in the example of the Figure 2 the inlet openings 46 and 48 are only partially open during the gas exchange, the content of residual gas in the combustion chamber 40 is greater than in the example of FIG Figure 4 with the inlet ports 46 and 48 fully open.
  • the invention makes it possible to vary the residual gas content in the combustion chamber 40 during ongoing operation of the free piston device 10 and, in particular, individually for each cycle.
  • a relatively high residual gas content ( Figures 2 and 3 ) with auto-ignition to an operation with a relatively low residual gas content ( Figures 4 and 5 ) can be changed with external ignition via the ignition device 84 and vice versa.
  • the boost pressure in the combustion chamber 40 so that its temperature and, due to the boost pressure, the flow ratio such as turbulence, swirl or tumble in the combustion chamber 40 can be varied via the flushing process.
  • the Figures 6 and 7 show a partial representation of a further free-piston device assigned the reference numeral 100. Identical reference symbols are used for features and components of the free piston devices 10, 100 which are the same or have the same effect.
  • the free piston device 100 differs from the free piston device 10 in that only one piston device 18 is provided.
  • the wall 38 is closed on the side of the piston 24 opposite the piston surface 36 and has an end wall 102 in this area. In the present case, the outlet openings 48 are formed in the end wall 102.
  • a valve 104 controllable by the control device 78 is arranged at the respective outlet opening 48.
  • the Figures 6 and 7 do not show the spring-back device 50 and the energy coupling device 62, but these are also provided in the free-piston device 100.
  • the position of the bottom dead center of the piston 24 can likewise be set during operation in such a way that the amount of fresh gas flowing in is controlled.
  • the valves 104 are opened so that exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber 40.
  • the situation of the Figure 6 corresponds to the example of Figure 2
  • the situation of the Figure 7 the example of Figure 4 .
  • the outlet openings 48 are completely released via the valves 104, and only the amount of fresh gas flowing in is varied by the position of the respective bottom dead center UT1 or UT2 of the piston 24.
  • an opening duration by moving a piston device, for which opening duration the inlet openings 46 or the outlet openings 48 are opened are, wherein the position of a bottom dead center of the piston is not changed.
  • a first trajectory 106 for a piston is shown in solid lines and a second trajectory 108 for the same piston is shown in dashed lines.
  • the piston is, for example, the piston 24 of the piston device 18, but it could also be the piston 26 of the piston device 20.
  • the trajectories 106 and 108 show the piston position relative to the piston receptacle as a function of time.
  • the top dead center for both trajectories 106, 108 is also identical.
  • an identical frequency is also used, recognizable from an identical period 110.
  • This also makes it possible to control the amount of fresh gas flowing in or exhaust gas discharged by moving the piston device.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Combustion Methods Of Internal-Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Feeding And Controlling Fuel (AREA)
  • Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Freikolbenvorrichtung, umfassend eine Kolbenaufnahme, in der mindestens eine Kolbeneinrichtung mit einem Kolben linear hin- und herbeweglich angeordnet ist, wobei die Kolbenaufnahme einen von einer Wandung begrenzten Brennraum umfasst oder bildet, in der mindestens eine erste Öffnung und mindestens eine zweite Öffnung gebildet sind, welche Öffnungen mindestens eine Einlassöffnung für die Zufuhr von Frischgas und, in Bewegungsrichtung der Kolbeneinrichtung davon beabstandet, mindestens eine Auslassöffnung für die Abfuhr von Abgas für eine Längsspülung des Brennraumes umfassen, wobei die Bewegung der mindestens einen Kolbeneinrichtung mittels einer Steuereinrichtung steuerbar ist.The invention relates to a free piston device comprising a piston receptacle in which at least one piston device with a piston is arranged to be linearly movable back and forth, the piston receptacle comprising or forming a combustion chamber delimited by a wall, in which at least one first opening and at least one second opening are formed, which openings comprise at least one inlet opening for the supply of fresh gas and, spaced therefrom in the direction of movement of the piston device, at least one outlet opening for the discharge of exhaust gas for longitudinal purging of the combustion chamber, the movement of the at least one piston device being controllable by means of a control device.

Außerdem betrifft die Erfindung ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer derartigen Freikol benvorrichtung.The invention also relates to a method for operating such a free piston device.

Die DE 10 2008 053 069 A1 beschreibt eine Freikolbenvorrichtung mit zwei Kolbeneinrichtungen und in Gegenkolbenanordnung positionierten Kolben. Der Kolben der ersten Kolbeneinrichtung gibt im unteren Totpunkt eine Einlassöffnung und eine Auslassöffnung für eine Querspülung des Brennraumes frei. Die zweite Kolbeneinrichtung kann so betrieben werden, dass der zweite Kolben lastabhängig eine von den oben genannten Öffnungen axial beabstandete Auslassöffnung wahlweise freigibt oder versperrt, wenn der Kolben der zweiten Kolbeneinrichtung den unteren Totpunkt einnimmt. Zusätzlich zur Querspülung kann dadurch lastabhängig eine Längsspülung des Brennraumes vorgenommen werden.The DE 10 2008 053 069 A1 describes a free piston device with two piston assemblies and pistons positioned in an opposed piston arrangement. At bottom dead center, the piston of the first piston device releases an inlet opening and an outlet opening for cross-flushing of the combustion chamber. The second piston device can be operated in such a way that, depending on the load, the second piston optionally releases or blocks an outlet opening axially spaced from the above-mentioned openings when the piston of the second piston device assumes the bottom dead center. In addition to cross scavenging, longitudinal scavenging of the combustion chamber can be carried out depending on the load.

In der DE 10 2008 053 068 A1 ist eine Freikolbenvorrichtung beschrieben, bei der eine Quer-, Längs- und Umkehrspülung des Brennraumes vorgenommen werden kann.In the DE 10 2008 053 068 A1 describes a free piston device in which cross, longitudinal and reverse purging of the combustion chamber can be carried out.

Die US 2005/0109295 A1 beschreibt einen Freikolbenmotor mit einem ersten Kolben an einer ersten Stange und einem zweiten Kolben an einer zweiten Stange innerhalb eines Gehäuses, die über Blattfedern federnd im Gehäuse gehalten sind. Axiale Bewegungen der beiden Kolbenstangen sind möglich, wobei zugleich eine Drehbewegung und eine Radialbewegung bezüglich einer Kolbenachse verhindert wird. Die jeweiligen Blattfedern sind in zwei Gruppen unterteilt, die um die erste Kolbenstange bzw. die zweite Kolbenstange herum angeordnet sind und jeweils axial voneinander beabstandet sind, um ein Verkippen der Kolbenstangen zu verhindern.The US 2005/0109295 A1 describes a free piston engine with a first piston on a first rod and a second piston on a second rod within a housing, which are resiliently held in the housing via leaf springs. Axial movements of the two piston rods are possible, a rotary movement and a radial movement with respect to a piston axis being prevented at the same time. The respective leaf springs are divided into two groups, which are arranged around the first piston rod and the second piston rod and are each axially spaced from one another in order to prevent the piston rods from tilting.

Eine weitere Freikolbenvorrichtung ist in der US 2007/0261677 A1 beschrieben.Another free piston device is in the US 2007/0261677 A1 described.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, eine Freikolbenvorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art und ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer solchen Freikolbenvorrichtung bereit zu stellen, bei der bzw. dem ein Betriebspunkt der Freikolbenvorrichtung vielseitiger einstellbar ist.The object of the present invention is to provide a free piston device of the type mentioned at the beginning and a method for operating such a free piston device in which an operating point of the free piston device can be set in a more versatile manner.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch eine erfindungsgemäße Freikolbenvorrichtung mit den Merkmalen von Anspruch 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by a free piston device according to the invention with the features of claim 1.

Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Freikolbenvorrichtung besteht die Möglichkeit, den Spülvorgang für den Brennraum beim Ladungswechsel zu beeinflussen. Die Menge an über die mindestens eine erste Öffnung zuführbarem Frischgas oder abführbarem Abgas kann über die Steuerung der Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung durch die Steuereinrichtung im Betrieb der Freikolbenvorrichtung eingestellt werden. Im Gegensatz zu dem eingangs genannten Stand der Technik ist es nicht erforderlich, zusätzliche Öffnungen an der Kolbenaufnahme für unterschiedliche Spülkanäle vorzusehen. Stattdessen kann bei der Erfindung die Einstellung der Menge an Frischgas und/oder Abgas konstruktiv einfach dadurch erfolgen, dass der untere Totpunkt des Kolbens so gewählt wird, dass die mindestens eine erste Öffnung teilweise zur Freigabe eines gewünschten Öffnungsquerschnittes freigegeben und ansonsten teilweise versperrt ist. Je nach Größe der freien Querschnittsfläche kann mehr oder weniger Frischgas bzw. Abgas durch die mindestens eine erste Öffnung strömen.In the case of the free piston device according to the invention, there is the possibility of influencing the flushing process for the combustion chamber during the gas exchange. The amount of fresh gas or exhaust gas that can be fed in via the at least one first opening can be adjusted by controlling the movement of the piston device by the control device during operation of the free piston device. In contrast to the prior art mentioned at the outset, it is not necessary to provide additional openings on the piston receptacle for different flushing channels. Instead, in the invention, the setting of the amount of fresh gas and / or exhaust gas can be done structurally simply by selecting the bottom dead center of the piston so that the at least one first opening is partially released to open a desired opening cross-section and otherwise partially blocked. Ever Depending on the size of the free cross-sectional area, more or less fresh gas or exhaust gas can flow through the at least one first opening.

Dies kann gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung alternativ oder ergänzend auch dadurch erzielt werden, dass die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung im Betrieb derart gesteuert wird, dass die Öffnungsdauer eingestellt wird, während der die mindestens eine erste Öffnung ganz oder zumindest teilweise freigegeben ist, wobei die Position des unteren Totpunktes des Kolbens relativ zur Kolbenaufnahme selber nicht verändert wird. Es kann dementsprechend die Zeit eingestellt werden, die der Kolben zum Durchlaufen des unteren Totpunktes benötigt und dadurch die Dauer beeinflusst werden, während der Frischgas in den Brennraum einströmen bzw. Abgas aus dem Brennraum abgeführt werden kann.According to the present disclosure, this can alternatively or additionally also be achieved in that the movement of the piston device is controlled during operation in such a way that the opening duration is set during which the at least one first opening is fully or at least partially released, the position of the lower Dead center of the piston is not changed relative to the piston receptacle itself. The time that the piston needs to pass through bottom dead center can be set accordingly, thereby influencing the duration during which fresh gas can flow into the combustion chamber or exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber.

Die erfindungsgemäße Lösung erlaubt es, den Spülvorgang für den Brennraum zu beeinflussen, wodurch ein vielseitiger Betrieb der Freikolbenvorrichtung möglich ist. Beispielsweise kann das Verhältnis von Frischgas und Abgas im Hinblick auf eine optimierte Verbrennung eingestellt werden. So kann bei einer vorteilhaften Ausführungsform zum Beispiel von einem Betrieb mit niedrigem Restgasanteil (viel Frischgas und wenig Abgas) mit Fremdzündung auf einen Betrieb mit hohem Restgasanteil (geringere Menge an Frischgas und höherer Anteil an Abgas) mit Selbstzündung umgeschaltet werden. Dies ist vorzugsweise zyklusindividuell möglich, für jeden Zyklus der Kolbeneinrichtung. Während in einem ersten Zyklus beispielsweise für Fremdzündung ein geringerer Restgasanteil (ungefähr 5% oder weniger) im Brennraum verbleibt, kann beim Durchfahren des unteren Totpunktes des Kolbens für den darauffolgenden Zyklus der Ladungswechsel so durchgeführt werden, dass ein vergleichsweise hoher Restgasanteil (ungefähr 50%) vorgesehen wird, damit unmittelbar darauffolgend eine Selbstzündung möglich ist, und umgekehrt. Betriebspunkte, bei denen weder ein geringer Restgasanteil (ungefähr kleiner als 5%) noch ein hoher Restgasanteil vorhanden ist und die energetisch ungünstig sind, können vermieden werden.The solution according to the invention makes it possible to influence the flushing process for the combustion chamber, as a result of which versatile operation of the free piston device is possible. For example, the ratio of fresh gas and exhaust gas can be adjusted with a view to optimized combustion. In an advantageous embodiment, for example, it is possible to switch from operation with a low residual gas content (a lot of fresh gas and little exhaust gas) with spark ignition to an operation with a high residual gas content (lower amount of fresh gas and higher amount of exhaust gas) with auto-ignition. This is preferably possible individually for each cycle, for each cycle of the piston device. While a smaller proportion of residual gas remains in the combustion chamber for spark ignition in a first cycle, for example, when the piston passes through the bottom dead center, the gas exchange can be carried out for the following cycle so that a comparatively high proportion of residual gas (approx. 50%) is provided so that self-ignition is possible immediately thereafter, and vice versa. Operating points at which there is neither a small proportion of residual gas (approximately less than 5%) nor a high proportion of residual gas and which are energetically unfavorable can be avoided.

Durch Einstellen der Öffnungsdauer der mindestens einen Öffnung lässt sich beispielsweise bei konstanter Frequenz der Freikolbenvorrichtung der Ladedruck und damit auch die Temperatur im Brennraum steuern. Über den Ladedruck lassen sich, beispielsweise bei gleicher Füllung des Brennraumes, bevorzugt Strömungsverhältnisse im Brennraum wie Turbulenz, Drall und Tumble steuern.By setting the opening duration of the at least one opening, the boost pressure and thus also the temperature in the combustion chamber can be controlled, for example, with a constant frequency of the free piston device. Flow conditions in the combustion chamber such as turbulence, swirl and tumble can preferably be controlled via the boost pressure, for example with the same filling of the combustion chamber.

Bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung besteht die Möglichkeit, die Zeit des Ladungswechsels zu steuern - über die Öffnungsdauer der mindestens einen Einlassöffnung oder Auslassöffnung und/oder über die freigebbare Querschnittsfläche. Der Ladungswechsel kann dadurch insbesondere abhängig von der Frequenz der Freikolbenvorrichtung, vom gewünschten Ladedruck, vom Restgasanteil, von der Zündvariante (Fremd- oder Selbstzündung), der gewünschten Last und/oder vom Strömungsverhältnis (Turbulenz, Drall, Tumble...) eingestellt werden.With the free piston device there is the possibility of controlling the time of the charge exchange - via the opening duration of the at least one inlet opening or outlet opening and / or via the releasable cross-sectional area. The gas exchange can therefore be set depending on the frequency of the free piston device, the desired boost pressure, the residual gas content, the ignition variant (external or compression ignition), the desired load and / or the flow ratio (turbulence, swirl, tumble ...).

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung ist "Steuerung" oder "steuern" dahingehend auszulegen, dass damit alternativ oder ergänzend auch "Regelung" bzw. "regeln" gemeint ist. "Steuerung" ist vorliegend daher als "Steuerung und/oder Regelung" aufzufassen.In the context of the present invention, “control” or “control” is to be interpreted in such a way that, as an alternative or in addition, “regulation” or “regulating” is also meant. "Control" is therefore to be understood here as "control and / or regulation".

Unter "Frischgas" wird vorliegend ein Gas oder Gasgemisch (insbesondere Luft) für die innere Verbrennung im Brennraum verstanden, wobei dem Gas oder Gasgemisch auch ein Brennstoff beigemischt sein kann. "Frischgas" kann vorliegend daher auch ein Gas-Brennstoff-Gemisch bezeichnen, das über die mindestens eine Eintrittsöffnung in den Brennraum einströmen kann. "Abgas" bezeichnet vorliegend ein Verbrennungsprodukt der inneren Verbrennung.In the present case, “fresh gas” is understood to mean a gas or gas mixture (in particular air) for internal combustion in the combustion chamber, it also being possible for a fuel to be added to the gas or gas mixture. In the present case, “fresh gas” can therefore also denote a gas-fuel mixture which can flow into the combustion chamber via the at least one inlet opening. In the present context, “exhaust gas” denotes a combustion product of internal combustion.

Es versteht sich, dass an die mindestens eine Einlassöffnung und die mindestens eine Auslassöffnung eine Zufuhrleitung für Frischgas bzw. eine Abfuhrleitung für Abgas angeschlossen bzw. anschließbar ist.It goes without saying that a supply line for fresh gas or a discharge line for exhaust gas is connected or can be connected to the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening.

Die mindestens eine erste Öffnung und die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung in der Wandung sind beispielsweise schlitzförmig ausgestaltet.The at least one first opening and the at least one second opening in the wall are designed, for example, in the shape of a slot.

Es kann mehr als eine erste Öffnung vorgesehen sein, beispielsweise eine Mehrzahl von ersten Öffnungen, die in Umfangsrichtung einer Achse der Kolbeneinrichtung in der Wandung gebildet sind. Entsprechendes gilt für die zweite Öffnung, derer eine Mehrzahl vorhanden sein kann.More than one first opening can be provided, for example a plurality of first openings which are formed in the wall in the circumferential direction of an axis of the piston device. The same applies to the second opening, of which a plurality can be present.

Es kann vorgesehen sein, dass die mindestens eine erste Öffnung bei Einnahme des unteren Totpunktes durch den Kolben vollständig freigebbar ist. Dadurch kann die Menge an zuströmendem Frischgas bzw. abströmendem Abgas maximiert werden.It can be provided that the at least one first opening can be completely opened by the piston when the bottom dead center is reached. As a result, the amount of fresh gas flowing in or exhaust gas flowing out can be maximized.

Vorteilhafterweise ist die mindestens eine Einlassöffnung, längs der Bewegungsrichtung der Kolbeneinrichtung, von jeder Auslassöffnung beabstandet. Darunter kann vorliegend insbesondere verstanden werden, dass quer zur Bewegungsrichtung der Kolbeneinrichtung einer jeweiligen Einlassöffnung keine Auslassöffnung gegenüber liegt und dementsprechend keine Querspülung des Brennraumes vorgenommen wird. Stattdessen erfolgt allein eine Längsspülung über die längs der Bewegungsrichtung voneinander beabstandeten Einlass- bzw. Auslassöffnungen.The at least one inlet opening is advantageously spaced apart from each outlet opening along the direction of movement of the piston device. In the present case, this can in particular be understood to mean that there is no outlet opening opposite a respective inlet opening transversely to the direction of movement of the piston device and, accordingly, no transverse scavenging of the combustion chamber is carried out. Instead, only longitudinal flushing takes place via the inlet and outlet openings which are spaced apart from one another along the direction of movement.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung umfasst bevorzugt eine mit der Steuereinrichtung gekoppelte Energiekopplungseinrichtung, wobei die Bewegung der mindestens einen Kolbeneinrichtung von der Steuereinrichtung über die Energiekopplungseinrichtung steuerbar ist. Die Steuereinrichtung kann die Energiekopplungseinrichtung zum Steuern der Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung ansteuern. Zu diesem Zweck ist es bevorzugt, wenn die Energiekopplungseinrichtung insbesondere einen Lineargenerator umfasst. Der Lineargenerator kann eine an der Kolbeneinrichtung festgelegte Läuferanordnung umfassen und eine an der Kolbenaufnahme festgelegte Statoranordnung. Läuferanordnung und Statoranordnung umfassen insbesondere Magnete bzw. Spulen.The free piston device preferably comprises an energy coupling device coupled to the control device, the movement of the at least one piston device being controllable by the control device via the energy coupling device. The control device can activate the energy coupling device for controlling the movement of the piston device. For this purpose it is preferred if the energy coupling device comprises, in particular, a linear generator. The linear generator can comprise a rotor arrangement fixed on the piston device and a stator arrangement fixed on the piston receptacle. The rotor arrangement and stator arrangement include, in particular, magnets or coils.

Von Vorteil ist es, wenn die Freikolbeneinrichtung eine mit der Steuereinrichtung gekoppelte Rückfedereinrichtung für die mindestens eine Kolbeneinrichtung umfasst. Vorzugsweise ist die Rückfedereinrichtung von der Steuereinrichtung zum Steuern der Bewegung der mindestens einen Kolbeneinrichtung ansteuerbar. Die Rückfedereinrichtung ist oder umfasst insbesondere eine Gasfeder. Die Härte der Gasfeder kann, auch im Betrieb, mittels der Steuereinrichtung bevorzugt durch die Zufuhr von Gas oder die Abfuhr von Gas eingestellt werden. Alternativ oder ergänzend kann als Rückfedereinrichtung eine mechanische Rückfedereinrichtung vorgesehen sein.It is advantageous if the free piston device comprises a return spring device coupled to the control device for the at least one piston device. The return spring device can preferably be activated by the control device for controlling the movement of the at least one piston device. The spring-back device is or comprises in particular a gas spring. The hardness of the gas spring can, even during operation, be adjusted by means of the control device, preferably by supplying gas or removing gas. As an alternative or in addition, a mechanical spring-back device can be provided as the spring-back device.

Bei einer vorteilhaften Umsetzung der Freikolbenvorrichtung ist die mindestens eine erste Öffnung eine Einlassöffnung und die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung eine Auslassöffnung.In an advantageous implementation of the free piston device, the at least one first opening is an inlet opening and the at least one second opening is an outlet opening.

Bei einer andersartigen vorteilhaften Umsetzung kann vorgesehen sein, dass die mindestens eine erste Öffnung eine Auslassöffnung ist und die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung eine Einlassöffnung.In another advantageous implementation, it can be provided that the at least one first opening is an outlet opening and the at least one second opening is an inlet opening.

Eine nicht beanspruchte vorteilhafte Ausführungsform einer Freikolbenvorrichtung sieht (genau) eine Kolbeneinrichtung vor, wobei an der mindestens einen zweiten Öffnung mindestens ein von der Steuereinrichtung ansteuerbares Ventil zum Freigeben oder Sperren der mindestens einen zweiten Öffnung angeordnet ist. Der Kolben der einen Kolbeneinrichtung gibt die mindestens eine erste Öffnung im unteren Totpunkt zumindest teilweise frei und/oder die Öffnungsdauer der mindestens einen ersten Öffnung ist wie eingangs erläutert einstellbar. Über das mindestens eine Ventil an der zweiten Öffnung kann über die Steuereinrichtung die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung freigegeben und dadurch der Ladungswechsel durchgeführt werden. Die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung ist zum Beispiel stirnseitig an der Wandung des Brennraumes angeordnet und liegt einer Kolbenfläche des Kolbens gegenüber.An advantageous embodiment of a free piston device that is not claimed provides (precisely) a piston device, with at least one valve controllable by the control device for releasing or blocking the at least one second opening being arranged on the at least one second opening. The piston of the one piston device at least partially releases the at least one first opening at bottom dead center and / or the opening duration of the at least one first opening can be set as explained above. The at least one second opening can be released via the control device via the at least one valve at the second opening and the gas exchange can thereby be carried out. The at least one second opening is arranged, for example, on the end face of the wall of the combustion chamber and lies opposite a piston surface of the piston.

Bei der erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform gemäß Anspruch 1 ist es günstig, dass die Freikolbenvorrichtung eine weitere Kolbeneinrichtung mit einem Kolben umfasst, die in der Kolbenaufnahme linear hin- und herbeweglich angeordnet ist, wobei die Kolben beider Kolbeneinrichtungen in Gegenkolbenanordnung positioniert sind und der Brennraum zwischen den Kolben gebildet ist. Durch die Gegenkolbenanordnung kann vorzugsweise ein Ausgleich der bewegten Massen und Momente erzielt werden. Die Kolbeneinrichtungen oszillieren dabei entgegengesetzt zueinander in der Kolbenaufnahme.In the embodiment according to the invention according to claim 1, it is favorable that the free piston device has a further piston device with a Comprises piston, which is arranged linearly reciprocating in the piston receptacle, the pistons of both piston devices are positioned in opposed piston arrangement and the combustion chamber is formed between the pistons. The opposing piston arrangement can preferably compensate for the moving masses and moments. The piston devices oscillate opposite to one another in the piston receptacle.

Der Kolben der weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung ist zumindest teilweise über mindestens eine weitere Öffnung der Wandung bewegbar, und die Menge an über die mindestens eine weitere Öffnung abführbarem Abgas oder zuführbarem Frischgas ist über die Bewegung der weitern Kolbeneinrichtung im Betrieb der Steuereinrichtung steuerbar. In entsprechender Weise wie im Bereich der mindestens einen ersten Öffnung kann bei der vorliegenden Ausführungsform Einfluss auf den Spülvorgang und den Ladungswechsel genommen werden. Die Menge an über die mindestens eine weitere Öffnung abgeführtem Abgas oder zugeführtem Frischgas kann beeinflusst werden, indem die Steuereinrichtung die Bewegung auch der zweiten Kolbeneinrichtung steuert.The piston of the further piston device is at least partially movable via at least one further opening in the wall, and the amount of exhaust gas or fresh gas that can be discharged via the at least one further opening can be controlled via the movement of the further piston device when the control device is in operation. In the present embodiment, the flushing process and the charge exchange can be influenced in a manner corresponding to that in the region of the at least one first opening. The amount of exhaust gas discharged via the at least one further opening or fresh gas supplied can be influenced by the control device also controlling the movement of the second piston device.

Die mindestens eine weitere Öffnung ist insbesondere und vorteilhafterweise eine zweite Öffnung. Die Steuerung der Bewegungen der Kolbeneinrichtungen kann derart erfolgen, dass über einen jeweiligen Kolben die Menge an Frischgas über die mindestens eine erste bzw. Abgas über die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung im Betrieb der Freikolbenvorrichtung einstellbar ist.The at least one further opening is in particular and advantageously a second opening. The movements of the piston devices can be controlled in such a way that the amount of fresh gas via the at least one first opening or exhaust gas via the at least one second opening can be adjusted via a respective piston during operation of the free piston device.

Bei einer andersartigen Ausführungsform kann vorgesehen sein, dass die mindestens eine weitere Öffnung eine erste Öffnung ist, wobei die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung, längs der Bewegungsrichtung der Kolbeneinrichtungen, zwischen den ersten Öffnungen positioniert ist. An der mindestens einen zweiten Öffnung ist zum Beispiel ein von der Steuereinrichtung ansteuerbares Ventil vorgesehen.In another type of embodiment it can be provided that the at least one further opening is a first opening, the at least one second opening being positioned between the first openings along the direction of movement of the piston devices. For example, a valve controllable by the control device is provided at the at least one second opening.

Der untere Totpunkt des Kolbens der weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung ist einstellbar, wobei die mindestens eine weitere Öffnung bei Einnahme des unteren Totpunktes durch den Kolben teilweise freigegen und teilweise versperrt ist zum Einstellen einer freien Querschnittsfläche der mindestens einen weiteren Öffnung. Dadurch lässt sich die Menge an zuführbarem Frischgas oder abführbarem Abgas wie bei der erfindungsgemäßen Freikolbenvorrichtung einstellen.The bottom dead center of the piston of the further piston device is adjustable, the at least one further opening when the lower one is taken Dead center is partially exposed and partially blocked by the piston for setting a free cross-sectional area of the at least one further opening. As a result, the amount of fresh gas that can be supplied or exhaust gas that can be removed can be adjusted as in the case of the free piston device according to the invention.

Alternativ oder ergänzend kann gemäß der vorliegenden Offenbarung eine Öffnungsdauer einstellbar sein, während der der Kolben der weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung die mindestens eine weitere Öffnung beim Durchlaufen des unteren Totpunktes, auch unter Beibehaltung der Position des unteren Totpunktes, zumindest teilweise freigibt. Die Bewegung der weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung kann derart gesteuert werden, dass die Zeit zum Durchlaufen des unteren Totpunktes des weiteren Kolbens dahingehend eingestellt wird, die Menge an zuführbarem Frischgas oder abführbarem Abgas einzustellen.Alternatively or in addition, according to the present disclosure, an opening duration can be set during which the piston of the further piston device at least partially releases the at least one further opening when passing through the bottom dead center, also while maintaining the position of the bottom dead center. The movement of the further piston device can be controlled in such a way that the time for passing through the bottom dead center of the further piston is set in such a way as to set the amount of fresh gas that can be fed in or the amount of exhaust gas that can be removed.

Günstigerweise ist ein gleicher Hub beider Kolbeneinrichtungen einstellbar.The same stroke of both piston devices can advantageously be set.

Vorzugsweise ist die Bewegung beider Kolbeneinrichtungen antisymmetrisch zueinander steuerbar.The movement of the two piston devices can preferably be controlled antisymmetrically to one another.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung umfasst vorzugsweise eine Rückfedereinrichtung für die weitere Kolbeneinrichtung.The free piston device preferably comprises a spring-back device for the further piston device.

Wie erwähnt kann auch die Bewegung der weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung gesteuert werden. Zu diesem Zweck ist/sind der mindestens einen weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung eine mit der Steuereinrichtung gekoppelte Rückfedereinrichtung und/oder Energiekopplungseinrichtung zugeordnet, wobei die Bewegung der mindestens einen weiteren Kolbeneinrichtung über die Rückfedereinrichtung und/oder die Energiekopplungseinrichtung steuerbar ist, wobei die Energiekopplungseinrichtung vorzugsweise einen Lineargenerator umfasst. Die Freikolbenvorrichtung kann zur Steuerung einer jeweiligen Kolbeneinrichtung eine Rückfedereinrichtung und/oder eine Energiekopplungseinrichtung umfassen.As mentioned, the movement of the further piston device can also be controlled. For this purpose, the at least one further piston device is / are assigned a spring-back device and / or energy coupling device coupled to the control device, the movement of the at least one further piston device being controllable via the spring-back device and / or the energy coupling device, the energy coupling device preferably comprising a linear generator. The free piston device can comprise a spring-back device and / or an energy coupling device for controlling a respective piston device.

Als vorteilhaft erweist es sich, wenn die mindestens eine erste Öffnung und die mindestens eine zweite Öffnung symmetrisch zueinander an der Kolbenaufnahme angeordnet und/oder ausgestaltet sind. Dies ist insbesondere bei gleichem Hub und antisymmetrischer Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtungen zueinander von Vorteil.It has proven to be advantageous if the at least one first opening and the at least one second opening are arranged and / or configured symmetrically to one another on the piston receptacle. This is particularly advantageous with the same stroke and antisymmetrical movement of the piston devices with respect to one another.

Wie eingangs erwähnt betrifft die vorliegende Erfindung auch ein Verfahren zum Betreiben einer Freikolbenvorrichtung, umfassend eine Kolbenaufnahme, in der mindestens eine Kolbeneinrichtung mit einem Kolben linear hin- und herbeweglich angeordnet ist, wobei die Kolbenaufnahme einen von einer Wandung begrenzten Brennraum umfasst oder bildet, in der mindestens eine erste Öffnung und mindestens eine zweite Öffnung gebildet sind, welche Öffnungen mindestens eine Einlassöffnung für die Zufuhr von Frischgas und, in Bewegungsrichtung der Kolbeneinrichtung davon beabstandet, mindestens eine Auslassöffnung für die Abfuhr von Abgas für eine Längsspülung des Brennraumes umfassen, wobei die Bewegung der mindestens einen Kolbeneinrichtung mittels einer Steuereinrichtung gesteuert wird.As mentioned at the beginning, the present invention also relates to a method for operating a free piston device, comprising a piston receptacle in which at least one piston device with a piston is arranged to be linearly movable back and forth, the piston receptacle comprising or forming a combustion chamber delimited by a wall, in which at least one first opening and at least one second opening are formed, which openings comprise at least one inlet opening for the supply of fresh gas and, spaced therefrom in the direction of movement of the piston device, at least one outlet opening for the discharge of exhaust gas for longitudinal purging of the combustion chamber, the movement of the at least one piston device is controlled by means of a control device.

Bei einem derartigen Verfahren wird die eingangs genannte Aufgabe erfindungsgemäß mit den Merkmalen von Anspruch 11 gelöst.In such a method, the object mentioned at the beginning is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 11.

Die Vorteile, die im Zusammenhang mit der Erläuterung der erfindungsgemäßen Freikolbenvorrichtung erwähnt wurden, können durch Ausführung des Verfahrens erzielt werden. Zur Vermeidung von Wiederholungen kann daher auf die voranstehenden Erläuterungen verwiesen werden.The advantages that were mentioned in connection with the explanation of the free piston device according to the invention can be achieved by carrying out the method. To avoid repetition, reference can therefore be made to the explanations given above.

Insbesondere ergeben sich vorteilhafte Ausführungsbeispiele des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens durch vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung. Auch diesbezüglich kann auf die voranstehenden Ausführungen verwiesen werden.In particular, advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention result from advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention. In this regard, too, reference can be made to the statements above.

Insbesondere erlaubt das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren im Betrieb der Freikolbenvorrichtung, den Spülvorgang und damit den Ladungswechsel einzustellen. Der Ladedruck und damit die Temperatur im Brennraum ist einstellbar. Die Strömungsverhältnisse wie Turbulenz, Drall und Tumble können gesteuert werden. Vorzugsweise ist zyklusindividuell ein Übergang von einem Betrieb mit Fremdzündung bei niedrigen Restgasanteil zu einem Betrieb mit Selbstzündung bei hohem Restgasanteil und umgekehrt durchführbar.In particular, the method according to the invention allows the flushing process and thus the gas exchange to be stopped when the free piston device is in operation. The boost pressure and thus the temperature in the combustion chamber can be adjusted. The flow conditions such as turbulence, swirl and tumble can be controlled. A transition from an operation with external ignition with a low residual gas proportion to an operation with compression ignition with a high residual gas proportion and vice versa can preferably be carried out individually for each cycle.

Die nachfolgende Beschreibung bevorzugter Ausführungsformen der Erfindung dient im Zusammenhang mit der Zeichnung der näheren Erläuterung der Erfindung. Die nachfolgend erläuterten erfindungsgemäßen Freikolbenvorrichtungen erlauben die Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens. Es zeigen:

Figur 1:
eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Freikolbenvorrichtung;
Figur 2:
eine vergrößerte Darstellung von Detail A in Figur 1, wobei zwei Kolben der Freikolbenvorrichtung einen jeweiligen unteren Totpunkt einnehmen;
Figur 3:
eine Darstellung entsprechend Figur 2, wobei die Kolben sich in der Aufwärtsbewegung befinden;
Figur 4:
eine Darstellung entsprechend Figur 2, wobei die Freikolbenvorrichtung einen unterschiedlichen Betriebspunkt aufweist und die Kolben einen unterschiedlichen unteren Totpunkt einnehmen;
Figur 5:
eine Darstellung entsprechend Figur 4, wobei die Kolben sich in der Aufwärtsbewegung befinden;
Figur 6:
eine Teildarstellung einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform einer Freikolbenvorrichtung, deren Kolben einen unteren Totpunkt einnimmt;
Figur 7:
eine Darstellung entsprechend Figur 6, wobei die Freikolbenvorrichtung mit einem anderen Betriebspunkt betrieben wird und der Kolben einen andersartigen unteren Totpunkt einnimmt; und
Figur 8:
schematisch eine Kolbenposition abhängig von der Zeit für eine erfindungsgemäße Freikolbenvorrichtung, die mit zwei unterschiedlichen Betriebspunkten betrieben wird, bei denen unterschiedliche Zeiten für den Ladungswechsel erzielt werden.
The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawing to explain the invention in greater detail. The free piston devices according to the invention explained below allow the method according to the invention to be carried out. Show it:
Figure 1:
a schematic representation of a free piston device according to the invention;
Figure 2:
an enlarged view of detail A in Figure 1 , wherein two pistons of the free piston device occupy a respective bottom dead center;
Figure 3:
a representation accordingly Figure 2 with the pistons in the upward movement;
Figure 4:
a representation accordingly Figure 2 wherein the free piston device has a different operating point and the pistons occupy a different bottom dead center;
Figure 5:
a representation accordingly Figure 4 with the pistons in the upward movement;
Figure 6:
a partial representation of a further preferred embodiment of a free piston device, the piston assumes a bottom dead center;
Figure 7:
a representation accordingly Figure 6 , wherein the free piston device is operated with a different operating point and the piston assumes a different type of bottom dead center; and
Figure 8:
schematically, a piston position as a function of the time for a free piston device according to the invention, which is operated with two different operating points at which different times for the gas exchange are achieved.

Figur 1 zeigt eine mit dem Bezugszeichen 10 belegte vorteilhafte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Freikolbenvorrichtung, die insbesondere einen Freikolbenmotor 12 ausbildet. Figure 1 shows an advantageous embodiment of a free-piston device according to the invention, assigned the reference number 10, which in particular forms a free-piston engine 12.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 umfasst eine ein Gehäuse 14 bildende Kolbenaufnahme 16. In der Kolbenaufnahme 16 sind zwei Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 längs einer von ihnen definierten gemeinsamen Achse 22 linear hin- und herbeweglich angeordnet. Eine jeweilige Kolbeneinrichtung 18, 20 umfasst einen Kolben 24 bzw. 26, eine Kolbenstange 28 bzw. 30 und einen Gegenkolben 32 bzw. 34. Die Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 und damit die Kolben 24, 26 sind in Gegenkolbenanordnung positioniert, wobei Kolbenflächen 36 der Kolben 24, 26 einander zugewandt sind.The free piston device 10 comprises a piston receptacle 16 which forms a housing 14. In the piston receptacle 16, two piston devices 18, 20 are arranged such that they can move linearly to and fro along a common axis 22 defined by them. A respective piston device 18, 20 comprises a piston 24 or 26, a piston rod 28 or 30 and a counter-piston 32 or 34. The piston devices 18, 20 and thus the pistons 24, 26 are positioned in a counter-piston arrangement, with piston surfaces 36 of the piston 24, 26 face each other.

Die Kolbenaufnahme 16 umfasst einen von einer Wandung 38 des Gehäuses 14 begrenzten Brennraum 40. Der Brennraum 40 ist in Folge der gegenläufigen Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 größenveränderlich und zwischen den Kolbenflächen 36 gebildet.The piston receptacle 16 comprises a combustion chamber 40 delimited by a wall 38 of the housing 14. The combustion chamber 40 is variable in size as a result of the opposing movement of the piston devices 18, 20 and is formed between the piston surfaces 36.

In der Wandung 38 sind erste Öffnungen 42 und zweite Öffnungen 44 gebildet. Vorliegend sind jeweils zwei erste bzw. zwei zweite Öffnungen 42, 44 vorhanden, wobei die Anzahl jedoch auch unterschiedlich sein könnte. Die Öffnungen 42, 44 sind beispielsweise als Schlitze in der Wandung 38 ausgestaltet.First openings 42 and second openings 44 are formed in the wall 38. In the present case there are two first and two second openings 42, 44, respectively. however, the number could also be different. The openings 42, 44 are designed, for example, as slots in the wall 38.

Die ersten Öffnungen 42 sind Einlassöffnungen 46. Über die Einlassöffnungen 46 kann beim Ladungswechsel Frischgas in den Brennraum 40 einströmen. An die Wandung 38 können in der Zeichnung nicht dargestellte Einlassleitungen angeschlossen sein, die über die Einlassöffnungen 46 in den Brennraum 40 münden.The first openings 42 are inlet openings 46. Fresh gas can flow into the combustion chamber 40 via the inlet openings 46 during the gas exchange. Inlet lines (not shown in the drawing) which open into the combustion chamber 40 via the inlet openings 46 can be connected to the wall 38.

Die zweiten Öffnungen 44 sind Auslassöffnungen 48. Über die Auslassöffnungen 48 kann beim Ladungswechsel Abgas aus dem Brennraum 40 abgeführt werden. An den Auslassöffnungen 48 können in der Zeichnung nicht gezeigte Auslassleitungen an die Wandung 38 angeschlossen sein, wobei der Brennraum 40 über die Auslassöffnungen 48 in die Auslassleitungen mündet.The second openings 44 are outlet openings 48. Exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber 40 via the outlet openings 48 during the gas exchange. At the outlet openings 48, outlet lines (not shown in the drawing) can be connected to the wall 38, the combustion chamber 40 opening into the outlet lines via the outlet openings 48.

Die Einlassöffnungen 46 sind symmetrisch zu den Auslassöffnungen 48 an der Kolbenaufnahme 16 angeordnet und können vorzugsweise identisch zu diesen ausgestaltet sein.The inlet openings 46 are arranged symmetrically to the outlet openings 48 on the piston receptacle 16 and can preferably be configured identically to these.

Die Einlassöffnungen 46 sind der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 und insbesondere deren Kolben 24 zugeordnet. Der Kolben 24 bildet einen Ventilkörper zum Verschließen und Freigeben der Einlassöffnungen 46 aus. Je nach Hub und Verlauf der Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 gibt der Kolben 24 die Einlassöffnungen im unteren Totpunkt ganz oder teilweise frei, und die Öffnungsdauer der Einlassöffnungen 46 kann eingestellt werden.The inlet openings 46 are assigned to the piston device 18 and in particular its piston 24. The piston 24 forms a valve body for closing and releasing the inlet openings 46. Depending on the stroke and course of the movement of the piston device 18, the piston 24 completely or partially releases the inlet openings at bottom dead center, and the opening duration of the inlet openings 46 can be adjusted.

Die Auslassöffnungen 48 sind der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 und insbesondere deren Kolben 26 zugeordnet. Der Kolben 26 bildet einen Ventilkörper zum Verschließen und Freigeben der Auslassöffnungen 48 aus. Je nach Hub und Verlauf der Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 gibt der Kolben 26 die Auslassöffnungen ganz oder teilweise frei, und die Öffnungsdauer der Auslassöffnungen 48 kann eingestellt werden.The outlet openings 48 are assigned to the piston device 20 and in particular its piston 26. The piston 26 forms a valve body for closing and releasing the outlet openings 48. Depending on the stroke and course of the movement of the piston device 20, the piston 26 completely or partially releases the outlet openings, and the opening duration of the outlet openings 48 can be adjusted.

Die Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 sind günstigerweise identisch ausgestaltet.The piston devices 18, 20 are advantageously designed identically.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 weist der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 zugeordnet eine Rückfedereinrichtung 50 auf, die bevorzugt als Gasfeder 52 ausgestaltet ist. In der Kolbenaufnahme 16 ist ein Rückfederraum 54 mit darin aufgenommenem Gas gebildet. Bei einer Verbrennung im Brennraum 40 bewegt sich die Kolbeneinrichtung 18 unter Kompression des Gases im Rückfederraum 54. Bei der Expansion des Gases wird die Kolbeneinrichtung 18 in Gegenrichtung bewegt.The free piston device 10 has a return spring device 50 assigned to the piston device 18, which is preferably designed as a gas spring 52. In the piston receptacle 16, a resilience space 54 is formed with gas received therein. During combustion in the combustion chamber 40, the piston device 18 moves under compression of the gas in the resilience chamber 54. When the gas expands, the piston device 18 is moved in the opposite direction.

In entsprechender Weise ist für die Kolbeneinrichtung 20 eine Rückfedereinrichtung 56, ausgestaltet als Gasfeder 58, vorgesehen, mit einem in der Kolbenaufnahme 16 gebildeten Rückfederraum 60.In a corresponding manner, a spring-back device 56, designed as a gas spring 58, is provided for the piston device 20, with a spring-back space 60 formed in the piston receptacle 16.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 weist eine der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 zugeordnete Energiekopplungseinrichtung 62 auf, vorliegend ausgestaltet als Lineargenerator 64. Der Lineargenerator 64 umfasst eine Läuferanordnung 66 an der Kolbenstange 28 und eine Statoranordnung 68 an der Kolbenaufnahme 16.The free piston device 10 has an energy coupling device 62 assigned to the piston device 18, in the present case designed as a linear generator 64. The linear generator 64 comprises a rotor arrangement 66 on the piston rod 28 and a stator arrangement 68 on the piston receptacle 16.

In entsprechender Weise umfasst die Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 zugeordnet eine als Lineargenerator 72 ausgestaltete Energiekopplungseinrichtung 70. Der Lineargenerator 72 umfasst eine Läuferanordnung 74 an der Kolbenstange 30 und eine Statoranordnung 76 an der Kolbenaufnahme 16.In a corresponding manner, the free piston device 10 comprises, associated with the piston device 20, an energy coupling device 70 configured as a linear generator 72. The linear generator 72 comprises a rotor arrangement 74 on the piston rod 30 and a stator arrangement 76 on the piston receptacle 16.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 weist eine Steuereinrichtung 78 auf. Die Steuereinrichtung 78 ist, schematisch dargestellt über Steuerleitungen 79 und 80, mit der Rückfedereinrichtung 50 bzw. der Rückfedereinrichtung 56 gekoppelt. Vorzugsweise kann die Federkraft der Gasfedern 52, 58 mittels der Steuereinrichtung 78 zum Steuern der Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 18, 20 im Betrieb eingestellt werden.The free piston device 10 has a control device 78. The control device 78, shown schematically via control lines 79 and 80, is coupled to the spring-back device 50 and the spring-back device 56, respectively. The spring force of the gas springs 52, 58 can preferably be adjusted by means of the control device 78 for controlling the movement of the piston device 18, 20 during operation.

Alternativ oder ergänzend kann die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 unabhängig voneinander durch Ansteuerung der Lineargeneratoren 64 bzw. 72 gesteuert werden. Steuerleitungen 81 und 82 zeigen schematisch die Kopplung der Steuereinrichtung 78 mit den Lineargeneratoren 64 bzw. 72.As an alternative or in addition, the movement of the piston devices 18, 20 can be controlled independently of one another by activating the linear generators 64 and 72, respectively. Control lines 81 and 82 schematically show the coupling of the control device 78 to the linear generators 64 and 72, respectively.

Wie bereits erwähnt umfasst "steuern" vorliegend insbesondere auch "regeln".As already mentioned, “control” in the present case also includes “regulate” in particular.

Am Brennraum 40 kann eine Zündeinrichtung 84 vorgesehen sein, die von der Steuereinrichtung 78 über eine Steuerleitung 86 ansteuerbar ist. Ebenfalls kann am Brennraum 40 eine in der Zeichnung nicht gezeigte Einspritzeinrichtung vorgesehen sein, ebenfalls ansteuerbar von der Steuereinrichtung 78. Über die Einspritzeinrichtung kann ein Brennstoff in den Brennraum 40 eingebracht werden.An ignition device 84, which can be activated by the control device 78 via a control line 86, can be provided on the combustion chamber 40. An injection device (not shown in the drawing) can also be provided on combustion chamber 40, likewise controllable by control device 78. A fuel can be introduced into combustion chamber 40 via the injection device.

Alternativ oder ergänzend zur Einspritzeinrichtung ist bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 vorgesehen, dass das über die Einlassöffnungen 46 zuführbare "Frischgas" ein Gas-Brennstoff-Gemisch aus Gas oder Gasgemisch mit beigemischtem Brennstoff sein kann.As an alternative or in addition to the injection device, it is provided in the free piston device 10 that the "fresh gas" which can be supplied via the inlet openings 46 can be a gas-fuel mixture of gas or gas mixture with added fuel.

Die Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 wird im Zweitaktbetrieb betrieben, bei dem die Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 antisymmetrisch zueinander bewegt werden. Das im Brennraum 40 verdichtete Gas-Brennstoff-Gemisch wird mittels der Zündeinrichtung 84 oder durch Selbstzündung gezündet, wodurch die Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 auseinander getrieben werden. Dabei werden die Einlassöffnungen 46 und die Auslassöffnungen 48 wie nachfolgend erläutert zumindest teilweise freigegeben. Es erfolgt eine Längsspülung des Brennraumes 40 (Figuren 2 und 4) mit durch die Einlassöffnung 46 eintretendem Frischgas und durch die Auslassöffnung 48 abgeführtem Abgas. Durch die Aufwärtsbewegung der Kolben 24, 26 aufgrund der Gasfedern 52, 58 wird das Brennstoffgemisch zum Durchlaufen des nachfolgenden Zyklus verdichtet.The free-piston device 10 is operated in two-stroke operation, in which the piston devices 18, 20 are moved antisymmetrically to one another. The gas-fuel mixture compressed in the combustion chamber 40 is ignited by means of the ignition device 84 or by self-ignition, as a result of which the piston devices 18, 20 are driven apart. In the process, the inlet openings 46 and the outlet openings 48 are at least partially released, as explained below. The combustion chamber 40 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is longitudinally flushed with fresh gas entering through the inlet opening 46 and exhaust gas discharged through the outlet opening 48. The upward movement of the pistons 24, 26 due to the gas springs 52, 58 compresses the fuel mixture for running through the subsequent cycle.

Beide Kolben 24, 26 durchlaufen einen jeweiligen oberen Totpunkt OT und einen jeweiligen unteren Totpunkt UT.Both pistons 24, 26 pass through a respective top dead center OT and a respective bottom dead center UT.

Erfindungsgemäß ist bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 vorgesehen, dass die Menge an Frischgas, die beim Ladungswechsel über die Einlassöffnungen 46 in den Brennraum 40 einströmen kann, durch die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 steuerbar ist, und/oder die Menge an Abgas, die beim Ladungswechsel über die Auslassöffnungen 48 aus dem Brennraum 40 ausströmen kann.According to the invention, it is provided in the free piston device 10 that the amount of fresh gas that can flow into the combustion chamber 40 during the gas exchange via the inlet openings 46 can be controlled by the movement of the piston device 18, and / or the amount of exhaust gas that can flow through the gas exchange during the gas exchange Outlet openings 48 can flow out of the combustion chamber 40.

Dies erfolgt insbesondere dadurch, dass der Kolben 24 als Ventilkörper für die Einlassöffnungen 46 wirkt und zumindest teilweise über diese bewegbar ist. Die Steuereinrichtung 78 kann die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 zur Einnahme eines vorgebbaren unteren Totpunktes UT einstellen. Dies ist beispielhaft in Figur 2 gezeigt, wobei die Position des unteren Totpunktes als UT1 gekennzeichnet ist.This takes place in particular in that the piston 24 acts as a valve body for the inlet openings 46 and is at least partially movable via these. The control device 78 can set the movement of the piston device 18 to assume a predeterminable bottom dead center UT. This is exemplified in Figure 2 shown, the position of the bottom dead center is marked as UT1.

Nimmt der Kolben 24 den unteren Totpunkt UT1 ein, sind die Einlassöffnungen 46 beim Beispiel der Figur 2 teilweise geöffnet und teilweise vom Kolben 24 versperrt. Durch die Steuerung der Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 kann dadurch die freie Querschnittsfläche zum Steuern der beim Ladungswechsel einströmenden Menge an Frischgas eingestellt werden.If the piston 24 is at bottom dead center UT1, the inlet openings 46 are in the example of FIG Figure 2 partially open and partially blocked by the piston 24. By controlling the movement of the piston device 18, the free cross-sectional area for controlling the amount of fresh gas flowing in during the gas exchange can be adjusted.

Die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 kann bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 vorteilhafterweise in entsprechender Weise so gesteuert werden, dass die Auslassöffnungen 48 vom Kolben 26 ganz oder teilweise freigegeben sind. Am Beispiel der Figur 2 ist dargestellt, dass der Kolben 26, der für die Auslassöffnungen 48 ebenfalls einen Ventilkörper bildet, einen unteren Totpunkt UT1' einnimmt. Dabei sind die Auslassöffnungen 48 vom Kolben 26 teilweise freigegeben und ansonsten versperrt.The movement of the piston device 20 in the free piston device 10 can advantageously be controlled in a corresponding manner in such a way that the outlet openings 48 from the piston 26 are completely or partially cleared. Using the example of Figure 2 it is shown that the piston 26, which also forms a valve body for the outlet openings 48, assumes a bottom dead center UT1 '. The outlet openings 48 of the piston 26 are partially released and otherwise blocked.

Somit kann auch bei der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 die Bewegung derart gesteuert werden, dass die freie Querschnittsfläche der Auslassöffnungen 48 eingestellt wird, um die Menge an abgeführtem Abgas beim Ladungswechsel und Spülvorgang zu steuern.Thus, the movement of the piston device 20 can also be controlled in such a way that the free cross-sectional area of the outlet openings 48 is adjusted in order to control the amount of exhaust gas discharged during the gas exchange and flushing process.

Die Figur 4 zeigt beispielhaft, wie die Bewegungen der Kolbeneinrichtungen 18, 20 zur Einnahme eines unterschiedlichen Betriebspunktes der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 andersartig steuerbar sind. Dabei ist die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 18 so gesteuert, dass deren Kolben 24 bei Einnahme des unteren Totpunktes UT2 die Einlassöffnungen 46 vollständig freigibt. Die Menge an beim Ladungswechsel einströmendem Frischgas ist größer als bei dem in Figur 2 gezeigten Beispiel, weil die freie Querschnittsfläche der Einlassöffnungen 46 größer und insbesondere maximiert ist.The Figure 4 shows, by way of example, how the movements of the piston devices 18, 20 can be controlled differently in order to assume a different operating point of the free piston device 10. The movement of the piston device 18 is controlled in such a way that its piston 24 completely releases the inlet openings 46 when the bottom dead center UT2 is reached. The amount of fresh gas flowing in during the gas exchange is greater than that in Figure 2 example shown because the free cross-sectional area of the inlet openings 46 is larger and in particular maximized.

In entsprechender Weise ist die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 so gesteuert, dass die Auslassöffnungen 48 dann, wenn der Kolben 26 den unteren Totpunkt UT2' einnimmt, vollständig freigegeben sind. Aufgrund der größeren Querschnittsfläche als bei dem in der Figur 2 gezeigten Beispiel ist die Menge an abgeführtem Abgas beim Ladungswechsel größer, als wenn der Kolben 26 wie vorstehend erläutert den unteren Totpunkt UT1' einnimmt.In a corresponding manner, the movement of the piston device 20 is controlled in such a way that the outlet openings 48 are completely released when the piston 26 assumes the bottom dead center UT2 ′. Due to the larger cross-sectional area than the one in the Figure 2 In the example shown, the amount of exhaust gas discharged is greater during the gas exchange than when the piston 26 assumes the bottom dead center UT1 ', as explained above.

Die Figuren 3 und 5 verdeutlichen schematisch, wie nach dem Spülvorgang im Brennraum 40 bei der Aufwärtsbewegung der Kolben 24, 26 unterschiedliche Restgasgehalte vorhanden sind. Frischgas ist in den Figuren 3 und 5 durch offene Kreise 88 dargestellt und Restgas durch schwarze Punkte 90. Weil bei dem Beispiel der Figur 2 die Einlassöffnungen 46 und 48 beim Ladungswechsel nur teilweise geöffnet sind, ist der Gehalt an Restgas im Brennraum 40 größer als bei dem Beispiel der Figur 4, bei der die Einlassöffnungen 46 und 48 vollständig geöffnet sind.The Figures 3 and 5 illustrate schematically how different residual gas contents are present in the combustion chamber 40 during the upward movement of the pistons 24, 26 after the flushing process. Fresh gas is in the Figures 3 and 5 represented by open circles 88 and residual gas by black dots 90. Because in the example of the Figure 2 the inlet openings 46 and 48 are only partially open during the gas exchange, the content of residual gas in the combustion chamber 40 is greater than in the example of FIG Figure 4 with the inlet ports 46 and 48 fully open.

Durch die Erfindung besteht die Möglichkeit, im laufenden Betrieb der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 und insbesondere zyklusindividuell den Restgasgehalt im Brennraum 40 zu variieren. Beispielsweise kann von einem verhältnismäßig hohen Restgasgehalt (Figuren 2 und 3) mit Selbstzündungsbetrieb zu einem Betrieb mit verhältnismäßig geringem Restgasanteil (Figuren 4 und 5) mit Fremdzündung über die Zündeinrichtung 84 und umgekehrt gewechselt werden.The invention makes it possible to vary the residual gas content in the combustion chamber 40 during ongoing operation of the free piston device 10 and, in particular, individually for each cycle. For example, a relatively high residual gas content ( Figures 2 and 3 ) with auto-ignition to an operation with a relatively low residual gas content ( Figures 4 and 5 ) can be changed with external ignition via the ignition device 84 and vice versa.

Über den Spülvorgang kann der Ladedruck im Brennraum 40, damit dessen Temperatur sowie aufgrund des Ladedruckes das Strömungsverhältnis wie Turbulenz, Drall oder Tumble im Brennraum 40 variiert werden.The boost pressure in the combustion chamber 40, so that its temperature and, due to the boost pressure, the flow ratio such as turbulence, swirl or tumble in the combustion chamber 40 can be varied via the flushing process.

Die Figuren 6 und 7 zeigen eine Teildarstellung einer weiteren, mit dem Bezugszeichen 100 belegten Freikolbenvorrichtung. Für gleiche oder gleichwirkende Merkmale und Bauteile der Freikolbenvorrichtungen 10, 100 werden identische Bezugszeichen benutzt. Die Freikolbenvorrichtung 100 unterscheidet sich von der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 dadurch, dass nur eine Kolbeneinrichtung 18 vorgesehen ist. Die Wandung 38 ist an der der Kolbenfläche 36 gegenüberliegenden Seite des Kolbens 24 geschlossen und weist in diesem Bereich eine Stirnwand 102 auf. In der Stirnwand 102 sind vorliegend die Auslassöffnungen 48 gebildet. An der jeweiligen Auslassöffnung 48 ist ein von der Steuereinrichtung 78 ansteuerbares Ventil 104 angeordnet.The Figures 6 and 7 show a partial representation of a further free-piston device assigned the reference numeral 100. Identical reference symbols are used for features and components of the free piston devices 10, 100 which are the same or have the same effect. The free piston device 100 differs from the free piston device 10 in that only one piston device 18 is provided. The wall 38 is closed on the side of the piston 24 opposite the piston surface 36 and has an end wall 102 in this area. In the present case, the outlet openings 48 are formed in the end wall 102. A valve 104 controllable by the control device 78 is arranged at the respective outlet opening 48.

Die Figuren 6 und 7 zeigen nicht die Rückfedereinrichtung 50 und die Energiekopplungseinrichtung 62, diese sind jedoch bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 100 ebenfalls vorgesehen.The Figures 6 and 7 do not show the spring-back device 50 and the energy coupling device 62, but these are also provided in the free-piston device 100.

Bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 100 kann die Lage des unteren Totpunktes des Kolbens 24 ebenfalls im Betrieb so eingestellt werden, dass die Menge an einströmendem Frischgas gesteuert wird. Beim Ladungswechsel sind die Ventile 104 geöffnet, damit Abgas aus dem Brennraum 40 abgeführt werden kann. Die Situation der Figur 6 entspricht dabei dem Beispiel der Figur 2, und die Situation der Figur 7 dem Beispiel der Figur 4. In beiden Situationen sind jedoch die Auslassöffnungen 48 über die Ventile 104 komplett freigegeben, und nur die Menge an einströmendem Frischgas wird durch die Lage des jeweiligen unteren Totpunktes UT1 bzw. UT2 des Kolbens 24 variiert. Jedoch ist auch hier die Möglichkeit gegeben, den Restgasgehalt im Brennraum 40 zu variieren.In the case of the free piston device 100, the position of the bottom dead center of the piston 24 can likewise be set during operation in such a way that the amount of fresh gas flowing in is controlled. During the gas exchange, the valves 104 are opened so that exhaust gas can be discharged from the combustion chamber 40. The situation of the Figure 6 corresponds to the example of Figure 2 , and the situation of the Figure 7 the example of Figure 4 . In both situations, however, the outlet openings 48 are completely released via the valves 104, and only the amount of fresh gas flowing in is varied by the position of the respective bottom dead center UT1 or UT2 of the piston 24. However, it is also possible here to vary the residual gas content in the combustion chamber 40.

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es auch möglich, eine Öffnungsdauer durch die Bewegung einer Kolbeneinrichtung einzustellen, für welche Öffnungsdauer die Einlassöffnungen 46 oder die Auslassöffnungen 48 geöffnet sind, wobei die Position eines unteren Totpunktes des Kolbens nicht verändert wird.In the context of the present invention, it is also possible to set an opening duration by moving a piston device, for which opening duration the inlet openings 46 or the outlet openings 48 are opened are, wherein the position of a bottom dead center of the piston is not changed.

Dies ist sowohl bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 10 als auch bei der Freikolbenvorrichtung 100 möglich, und es wird anhand der Figur 8 erläutert, in der eine erste Bahnkurve 106 für einen Kolben durchgezogen dargestellt ist und eine zweite Bahnkurve 108 für denselben Kolben gestrichelt dargestellt ist. Der Kolben ist beispielsweise der Kolben 24 der Kolbeneinrichtung 18, es könnte sich jedoch auch um den Kolben 26 der Kolbeneinrichtung 20 handeln. Die Bahnkurven 106 und 108 zeigen die Kolbenposition relativ zur Kolbenaufnahme in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit.This is possible with the free piston device 10 as well as with the free piston device 100, and it is shown on the basis of FIG Figure 8 explained, in which a first trajectory 106 for a piston is shown in solid lines and a second trajectory 108 for the same piston is shown in dashed lines. The piston is, for example, the piston 24 of the piston device 18, but it could also be the piston 26 of the piston device 20. The trajectories 106 and 108 show the piston position relative to the piston receptacle as a function of time.

Bei der Bewegung des Kolbens wird zumindest die Position des unteren Totpunktes beibehalten und nicht variiert, wobei im Beispiel der Figur 8 auch der obere Totpunkt für beide Bahnkurven 106, 108 identisch ist. Bei beiden Bahnkurven 106, 108 wird ferner eine identische Frequenz gefahren, erkennbar anhand einer identischen Periodendauer 110.During the movement of the piston, at least the position of the bottom dead center is maintained and not varied, in the example the Figure 8 the top dead center for both trajectories 106, 108 is also identical. In the case of both trajectories 106, 108, an identical frequency is also used, recognizable from an identical period 110.

Solange sich der Kolben zwischen der Position definiert durch die horizontale gestrichelte Linie oberhalb "UT" und dem unteren Totpunkt UT befindet, ist die entsprechende Einlassöffnung 46 oder Auslassöffnung 48 freigegeben. Die Zeit zum Durchlaufen des unteren Totpunktes unter freigegebenen Öffnungen ist jedoch für beide Bahnkurven 106, 108 unterschiedlich. Diese Zeitdauer 112 für die Bahnkurve 106 ist größer als die korrespondierende Zeitdauer 114 für die Bahnkurve 108. Aus diesem Grund durchläuft der Kolben bei Einnahme der Bahnkurve 108 den unteren Totpunkt schneller, und die Öffnungen sind weniger lang geöffnet, als wenn der Kolben Bahnkurve 106 durchläuft.As long as the piston is between the position defined by the horizontal dashed line above "BDC" and the bottom dead center BDC, the corresponding inlet opening 46 or outlet opening 48 is released. However, the time to pass through the bottom dead center under released openings is different for the two trajectories 106, 108. This time period 112 for the path curve 106 is greater than the corresponding time period 114 for the path curve 108. For this reason, when the path curve 108 is taken, the piston passes through bottom dead center faster, and the openings are open for less than when the piston passes through the path curve 106 .

Auch dadurch ist es möglich, die Menge an einströmendem Frischgas oder abgeführtem Abgas durch die Bewegung der Kolbeneinrichtung zu steuern.This also makes it possible to control the amount of fresh gas flowing in or exhaust gas discharged by moving the piston device.

BezugszeichenReference number

1010
FreikolbenvorrichtungFree piston device
1212th
FreikolbenmotorFree piston engine
1414th
Gehäusecasing
1616
KolbenaufnahmePiston seat
1818th
KolbeneinrichtungPiston device
2020th
KolbeneinrichtungPiston device
2222nd
Achseaxis
2424
Kolbenpiston
2626th
Kolbenpiston
2828
KolbenstangePiston rod
3030th
KolbenstangePiston rod
3232
GegenkolbenOpposed piston
3434
GegenkolbenOpposed piston
3636
KolbenflächePiston area
3838
WandungWall
4040
BrennraumCombustion chamber
4242
erste Öffnungfirst opening
4444
zweite Öffnungsecond opening
4646
EinlassöffnungInlet opening
4848
AuslassöffnungOutlet opening
5050
RückfedereinrichtungSpring-back device
5252
GasfederGas spring
5454
RückfederraumResilience space
5656
RückfedereinrichtungSpring-back device
5858
GasfederGas spring
6060
RückfederraumResilience space
6262
EnergiekopplungseinrichtungEnergy coupling device
6464
LineargeneratorLinear generator
6666
LäuferanordnungRotor arrangement
6868
StatoranordnungStator assembly
7070
EnergiekopplungseinrichtungEnergy coupling device
7272
LineargeneratorLinear generator
7474
LäuferanordnungRotor arrangement
7676
StatoranordnungStator assembly
7878
SteuereinrichtungControl device
7979
SteuerleitungControl line
8080
SteuerleitungControl line
8181
SteuerleitungControl line
8282
SteuerleitungControl line
8484
ZündeinrichtungIgnition device
8686
SteuerleitungControl line
8888
offener Kreisopen circle
9090
PunktPoint
100100
FreikolbenvorrichtungFree piston device
102102
StirnwandFront wall
104104
VentilValve
106106
BahnkurveTrajectory curve
108108
BahnkurveTrajectory curve
110110
PeriodendauerPeriod duration
112112
ZeitdauerDuration
114114
ZeitdauerDuration

Claims (11)

  1. Free piston apparatus, comprising a piston receptacle (16) in which at least one piston device (18) having a piston (24) is arranged so as to be linearly reciprocable, wherein the piston receptacle (16) comprises or forms a combustion chamber (40) delimited by a wall arrangement (38) in which at least one first opening (42) and at least one second opening (44) are formed, which openings (42, 44) comprise at least one inlet opening (46) for the supply of fresh gas and, spaced apart therefrom in movement direction of the piston device (18), at least one outlet opening (48) for the removal of exhaust gas for a uniflow scavenging of the combustion chamber (40), wherein the movement of the at least one piston device (18) is controllable by means of a control device (78), wherein the piston (24) is movable at least partially over the at least one first opening (42) and the bottom dead center of the piston (24) is adjusted, for adjusting a free cross sectional area of the at least one first opening (42), such that, when the piston (24) adopts the bottom dead center, the at least one first opening (42) is partially unblocked and partially blocked, wherein the free piston apparatus (10) comprises a further piston device (20) having a piston (26), which piston device (20) is arranged so as to be linearly reciprocable in the piston receptacle (16), wherein the pistons (24, 26) of both piston devices (18, 20) are positioned in opposed piston arrangement and the combustion chamber (40) is formed between the pistons (24, 26), wherein the piston (26) of the further piston device (20) is movable at least partially over at least one further opening (44) of the wall arrangement (38), wherein the amount of exhaust gas removable or fresh gas suppliable via the at least one further opening (44) is adjustable by way of the movement of the further piston device (20) in the operation by the control device (78) and wherein the bottom dead center of the piston (26) of the further piston device (20) is adjusted, for adjusting a free cross sectional area of the at least one further opening (44), such that, upon the piston (26) of the further piston device (20) adopting the bottom dead center, the at least one further opening (44) is partially unblocked and partially blocked.
  2. Free piston apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first opening (42) is entirely unblockable upon the piston (24) adopting the bottom dead center.
  3. Free piston apparatus in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one inlet opening (46), along the movement direction of the piston device, is spaced axially apart from each outlet opening (48).
  4. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the free piston apparatus (10; 100) comprises an energy coupling device (62) which is coupled to the control device, and in that the movement of the at least one piston device (18) is controllable by the control device (78) by way of the energy coupling device (62), wherein the energy coupling device (62) preferably comprises a linear generator (64).
  5. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the free piston apparatus (10; 100) comprises a spring-back device (50), which is coupled to the control device (78), for the at least one piston device (18), and in that the spring-back device (50) is controllable by the control device (78) for controlling the movement of the at least one piston device (18).
  6. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one first opening (42) is an inlet opening (46) and the at least one second opening (44) an outlet opening (48).
  7. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one further opening (44) is the second opening (44), or in that the at least one further opening is a first opening, wherein the at least one second opening, along the movement direction of the piston devices, is positioned between the first openings.
  8. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that an equal stroke of both piston devices (18, 20) is adjustable and/or in that the movement of both piston devices (18, 20) is controllable antisymmetrical to each other.
  9. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a spring-back device (56) and/or energy coupling device (70) coupled to the control device (78) is/are associated with the at least one further piston device (20), wherein the movement of the at least one further piston device (20) is controllable by way of the spring-back device (56) and/or the energy coupling device (70), wherein the energy coupling device (70) preferably comprises a linear generator (72).
  10. Free piston apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the at least one first opening (42) and the at least one second opening (44) are arranged or configured on the piston receptacle (16) symmetrical to each other with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to an axis (22) of the piston devices (18, 20).
  11. Method for operating a free piston apparatus, comprising a piston receptacle (16) in which at least one piston device (18) having a piston (24) is arranged so as to be linearly reciprocable, wherein the piston receptacle (16) comprises or forms a combustion chamber (40) delimited by a wall arrangement (38) in which at least one first opening (42) and at least one second opening (44) are formed, which openings (42, 44) comprise at least one inlet opening (46) for the supply of fresh gas and, spaced apart therefrom in movement direction of the piston device (18), at least one outlet opening (48) for the removal of exhaust gas for a uniflow scavenging of the combustion chamber (40), wherein the movement of the at least one piston device (18) is controlled by means of a control device (78), wherein the piston (24) is moved at least partially over the at least one first opening (42) and the bottom dead center of the piston (24) is adjusted for adjusting a free cross sectional area of the at least one first opening (42) such that, when the piston (24) adopts the bottom dead center, the at least one first opening (42) is partially unblocked and partially blocked, wherein the free piston apparatus (10) comprises a further piston device (20) having a piston (26), which piston device (20) is arranged so as to be linearly reciprocable in the piston receptacle (16), wherein the pistons (24, 26) of both piston devices (18, 20) are positioned in opposed piston arrangement and the combustion chamber (40) is formed between the pistons (24, 26), wherein the piston (26) of the further piston device (20) is moved at least partially over at least one further opening (44) of the wall arrangement (38), wherein the amount of exhaust gas removable or fresh gas suppliable via the at least one further opening (44) is adjusted by way of the movement of the further piston device (20) in the operation by the control device (78), and wherein the bottom dead center of the piston (26) of the further piston device (20) is adjusted for adjusting a free cross sectional area of the at least one further opening (44) such that, upon the piston (26) of the further piston device (20) adopting the bottom dead center, the at least one further opening (44) is partially unblocked and partially blocked.
EP17723378.0A 2016-05-17 2017-05-12 Free-piston device and method for operating a free-piston device Active EP3458682B1 (en)

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DE102016109055.7A DE102016109055A1 (en) 2016-05-17 2016-05-17 Free piston device and method for operating a free piston device
PCT/EP2017/061522 WO2017198579A1 (en) 2016-05-17 2017-05-12 Free-piston device and method for operating a free-piston device

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EP3458682A1 (en) 2019-03-27
CN109154193A (en) 2019-01-04
US10605081B2 (en) 2020-03-31
WO2017198579A1 (en) 2017-11-23
DE102016109055A1 (en) 2017-11-23
CN109154193B (en) 2021-05-07
US20190085696A1 (en) 2019-03-21

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