The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 01, 2003
Filed:
May. 17, 2000
Willibald G. Berlinger, Peoria, IL (US);
Francis J. Raab, Chillicothe, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A free piston internal combustion engine, particularly suitable for use in a vehicle having an electric motor as a prime mover, has a combustion cylinder, a piston reciprocally disposed within the cylinder, and a piston rod coupled with a piston. A linear electric generator/motor includes at least one magnet carried by the piston rod and at least one coil positioned in association with the at least one magnet. An electrical circuit is coupled with each of the at least one coil and a battery. The at least one magnet induces an electrical cutrent within the coil to energize a capacitor within the electrical circuit. The charge from the capacitor may be used to charge the battery. The capacitor and/or battery provides output electrical current which is used to drive the electric motor.