Free-piston engine, e.g. double-piston engine with pistons connected by common piston rod with sliding spring-mounted driver element for direct force transmission without losses

摘要

The engine has two combustion chambers and two pistons (1,2) connected via a common piston rod (3). The rod carries a sliding driver element (4), which is supported via two springs (5,6) and transmits the piston forces to connected rotating systems, dependent upon spring tension. The springs are pre-tensioned to form a spring assembly with adjustable spring rate. The forces are transmitted to two crank drives, positioned symmetrical to the piston rod.