Development of a Simulation based Design for an Opposed Piston Linear Free Piston Generator

Electrical power generation has been typically done with large gas turbines or reciprocating engines (otto or diesel cycle). However, these mature technologies cannot deliver both modularity as well as a high power density. Mainstream proposes a different type of engine that has the promise of delivering greater than 1 hp/lb, greater than 25% thermal efficiency, low noise output, and a modular design. In the phase 1 effort, a control system will first be designed and modeled using first principles. The results from this simulation will drive the design parameters to achieve the performance criteria specified. Mainstream will also use parallel programs with other agencies to develop the other components to yield a fully integrated light weight engine design.