Mainspring Energy, Inc.

Etagen, Inc.

Patrick Gorzelic

Matthew J Roelle

Christopher David Gadda

John Powers

Anthony Da Costa

Nick Schaeferle

Yuk Hei Wong

Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event. A polarity indicative of an electromotive force in determined in at least one phase of the linear multiphase electromagnetic machine caused by a motion of the translator. In response to detecting the fault event, the system causes, based on the polarity, a current to be applied to a respective phase of the at least one phase to cause a force acting on the translator that opposes an axial motion of the translator to cause the translator to brake. Braking includes causing the translator to reciprocate at a reduced velocity by opposing axial motion over one or more cycles. The system may use one or more of position information, current information, operating parameters, to brake, or may brake the translator independent of such information.

Auto-braking for an electromagnetic machine

Systems and methods are provided for controlling two or more linear generators each operating according to a repeated behavior to constitute a cycle. A control system utilizes control circuitry to determine a desired phase offset between operation cycles of a first linear generator and a second linear generator of the two or more linear generators. During operation, an actual phase offset between the first linear generator and the second linear generator is determined. The control circuitry of the control system is used to modify the operation of at least one of the first linear generator or the second linear generator to achieve the desired phase effect.

Core synchronization for linear generators

Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Patrick Gorzelic