Amazing
gas saving engine!
Originally developed by Charles Gahagen,
the engine has only two moving
parts. The inventor boasted an amazing 50% thermal efficiency (this has
been improved upon recently). Diesel has an efficiency of only
40% and the four cycle gasoline engine is the least efficient with a
thermal efficiency of only 30%.
The secret of it's amazingly high efficiency lies in it's design. Each
stroke produces power, a four stroke engine of similar displacement
only
produces a fourth of the power and is terribly complicated and heavy
compared to free piston engines.
The operational characteristics of free-piston engines differ from
those of conventional, crankshaft engines. The main difference is due
to the piston motion not being restricted by a crankshaft in the
free-piston engine, leading to the potentially valuable feature of
variable compression ratio.
Potential advantages of the
free-piston concept include
- The operational flexibility through the variable
compression ratio allows operation optimisation for all operating
conditions and multi-fuel operation. The free-piston engine is further
well suited for HCCI operation.
This ebook is intended to inform new buyers who may not be familiar
with Free Piston Engines(FPE);
we may make revisions at anytime, check back often!
July 2007 edition 1st draft
Check out the history of the FPE in print.
Chronology Of Articles
 |
| Modern
applications of the free-piston engine concept include hydraulic
engines, aimed for off-highway vehicles, and free-piston engine
generators, aimed for use with hybrid electric vehicles. |
|
Once again engineers have turned to turbines to tap the power of FPE.
Instead of using the gas generated by engine, engineers have hollowed
out the piston and shaft and filled the empty spaces with hydraulic
fluid. The fluid is kept moving in a single direction without the need
for valves or other mechanical implements. The moving fluid in turn
drives a turbine.
You may be wondering how this revolutionary turbine works. Flow is
achieved by the shape and the reciprocating action of the piston. No
valves or mechanical implements are used to restrict or control the
flow of hydraulic fluid.
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The advantages of this system are
cooling, lighter components, fewer components, All Wheel Drive (AWD)
possible.
Today's Direct Hydraulic Output automotive installations the hydraulic
fluid and surrounding air provide all the necessary cooling. Such
engines perform equally well throughout the year without the need for
antifreeze solution. By doing away with power robbing pumps to
circulate coolant more power is diverted to drive other useful devices
such as bigger generator or air conditioning pump.
Those unsightly radiator grills will also become a thing of the past,
engineers can then design more streamlined, sportier looking cars.
Gas turbine are very large and mostly built of exotic metals or
ceramics to withstand high temperature. Hydraulic turbines can be built
of almost any type of material including composites and are very
compact when compared with equally rated gas turbines. Unlike gas
turbine which must be coupled with transmission hydraulic turbines have
enough torque to drive a wheel without the need for complex gear boxes.
The picture on the above shows a typical 2 Wheel
Drive installation with shaft extending both ways. Notice the Continuos
Velocity (CV) Joints? An AWD could do away with CV joints and heavy
shafts by bolting directly to the wheels. Such a system would have
greater ground clearance than current vehicles by doing away with the
differential and drive shafts.
Less parts promotes reliability, lower maintenance costs and lighter
cars.
The entire drive unit is so small and flexible, engineers can install
the motor anywhere on the vehicle. Likewise most backyard builders can
also remove and reinstall to create custom (kit) cars.
Research into this technology is led by Stetzer Motors of
Germany.
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 Hope For The Future
The Free Piston Engine promises a whole new
generation of portable devices. Wireless computing will at last be
truly wireless.
Check out how a microscopic FPE is powering
electronics.
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If you still
have questions check out FAQ.
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New 10/29/2008!
The intent of the weeboard is to exchange ideas , pictures, urls...
anything to do with Free Piston Engines.
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Loudmouth
Plans
Gahagen
Patent
FREE
PISTON JET ENGINE GAHAGEN ARTICLE
JACK
HORTON LOUDMOUTH ARTICLE
Jack Horton's letter of instructions
Letter Of
Instructions Digital Version
Loudmouth
Blueprints
Free
Piston Jet Engine Plans CAD
.
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