A power generation study of a power pack based on operating parameters of the linear engine fuelled with propane

In this paper, we present our experimental research on a power pack based on operating conditions of the linear engine and the linear generator structure for generating electric power. The power pack used in the study consisted of a two-stroke free-piston linear engine, linear generators, and air compressors. Each parameter of input caloric value, equivalence ratio, spark timing delay, electrical resistance, and air gap length were settled for identifying the electrical power generation of the linear engine. The linear engine was fueled with propane, and in the course of all its operations, intake air was inputted under the wide open throttle condition. The air and fuel mass flow rate were varied by a mass flow controller and premixed by a pre-mixing device. The premixed gas was then directly supplied into each combustion cylinder. The experiments confirmed that power generation was induced differently for each respective operating condition. The maximum generating power was found with the value of 111.3W, where the operating conditions were as follows: 1.0 of equivalence ratio, 1.5ms of spark timing delay, 30Ω of electric resistance, and 1.0mm of air gap length.