The developments in the electric motor in recent years have made it a "choice" to be considered for propeller powered aircraft. One of the primary problems with electric is fuel "AKA" battery’s, more specifically battery energy density. The weight and expense incurred coupled with the generally long charging times involved to have sufficient batteries for cross country flying, is a deterrent.
It has been suggested that a generator be used to either replace most of the batteries or in addition to the batteries. For many I suppose this is about the end of it because if you are going to have to support the ICE power anyway you might as well get rid of the weighty generator and just slap a prop on it. Another train of thought however is to get rid of all the weight of the crankshaft related parts. There is it seems no electrical reason for all of those extra parts. If you move a magnet through a coil it doesn't care if the movement is rotary or reciprocal it will make electricity either way.
The obvious lighter weight of a free piston design makes it a curiosity attractant, that current development is advertising thermal efficiency that begins at nearly double that of current crankshaft engines makes it even prettier. This is a technology that makes sense (to me at least) and may well be the bridge needed to facilitate more electric motor power now with the idea that when battery or capacitor technology improves the generator can be replaced at one's convenience.
I look forward to your thoughts and input on Free Piston (ICE) Generators.
It has been suggested that a generator be used to either replace most of the batteries or in addition to the batteries. For many I suppose this is about the end of it because if you are going to have to support the ICE power anyway you might as well get rid of the weighty generator and just slap a prop on it. Another train of thought however is to get rid of all the weight of the crankshaft related parts. There is it seems no electrical reason for all of those extra parts. If you move a magnet through a coil it doesn't care if the movement is rotary or reciprocal it will make electricity either way.
The obvious lighter weight of a free piston design makes it a curiosity attractant, that current development is advertising thermal efficiency that begins at nearly double that of current crankshaft engines makes it even prettier. This is a technology that makes sense (to me at least) and may well be the bridge needed to facilitate more electric motor power now with the idea that when battery or capacitor technology improves the generator can be replaced at one's convenience.
I look forward to your thoughts and input on Free Piston (ICE) Generators.
