Unlocking the potential of a Free Piston Engine range-extender
Lead Participant:
SR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS LTD
Abstract
The project will show it is feasibly to unlock the theoretical potential of innovative Free Piston Engine (FPE)
technology to deliver increased efficiency and significanly reduced CO2 emissions for hybrid electric vehicles.
Free Piston Engines are disruptive technology offering the potential of a 30% efficiency improvement over
conventional reciprocating engine based range extenders but until now this has largely only been shown
through simulation and desk-based analysis.
This project will demonstrate the feasibility of FPE technology for vehicle range extender applications by:
• Development of an FPE control strategy that delivers the high efficiency and low CO2 emissions
• Specification and design of an innovative power electronics drive for controlling and optimising the
electrical energy generation from FPE linear motor/generators
• identifying the most appropriate vehicle applications and the market potential for FPE range-extenders
technology to deliver increased efficiency and significanly reduced CO2 emissions for hybrid electric vehicles.
Free Piston Engines are disruptive technology offering the potential of a 30% efficiency improvement over
conventional reciprocating engine based range extenders but until now this has largely only been shown
through simulation and desk-based analysis.
This project will demonstrate the feasibility of FPE technology for vehicle range extender applications by:
• Development of an FPE control strategy that delivers the high efficiency and low CO2 emissions
• Specification and design of an innovative power electronics drive for controlling and optimising the
electrical energy generation from FPE linear motor/generators
• identifying the most appropriate vehicle applications and the market potential for FPE range-extenders
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
---|---|---|
SR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS LTD | £158,090 | £ 110,664 |
  | ||
Participant |
||
UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE | £91,707 | £ 91,707 |
INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
Tim Scott (Project Manager) |