Multi-phase linear alternator driven by free-piston Stirling engine

摘要

A linear alternator capable of delivering multi-phase power and yet being driven by a free piston Stirling engine. The alternator has a permanent magnet mounted to the power piston of the free piston Stirling engine and an armature coil member mounted radially outwardly from the piston cylinder for generating one phase. A body, such as a second piston mounted in the same cylinder, is drivingly linked through a spring to be driven by the power piston. A second permanent magnet is mounted to the body and a second armature coil member is formed outwardly of the cylinder disposed outwardly from the body to provide the second phase. Proper design selection of the mass of the body and the spring constant of the spring, together with all other springs connected to the body, causes the body to be driven in phase quadrature with the power piston so that the voltage outputs of the two phases are in quadrature. The armature coils are provided with suitable taps and connected as a Tee so that balanced three phase power is available directly from the armature windings of the linear alternator.