Date of Graduation

2000

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Nigel N. Clark

Abstract

Linear, crankless, internal combustion engines may find application in the generation of electrical power without the need to convert linear to rotary motion. The elimination of the connecting rod and crankshaft would significantly improve the efficiency of the engine and the reduced weight and cost are added advantages. Prior research at West Virginia University has shown that the operation of a linear free piston engine with a throttle to be undesirable. A Diesel linear engine prototype has been developed for electrical power generation. The operation of a linear engine is distinct from that of a conventional slider-crank mechanism engine, as the motion of the two horizontally opposed pistons are not externally constrained. The two-stroke engine prototype, with a bore of 75 mm and a maximum stroke of 71 mm tested to varying degrees of success. The engine fired briefly on several occasions. Each testing session ended with a failure in the engine controller, due to cranking circuit transistors burning out. Sustained operation of the engine has not been attained at this time. An idealized model analysis based on the limited pressure cycle also provided insight into the behavior of the linear engine for different bore, sliding mass, and heat input. The model of the engine was solved numerically to provide in-cylinder pressure profiles and several other operational characteristics of the engine as a function of time.

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