MINIATURE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR AND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MINIATURE ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR

This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a power generating system particularly suitable for field use in remote locations, which is fuel-efficient, relatively quiet, tolerant of dust, capable of operating on low-grade logistics and diesel-like fuels and capable of generating between 500 W and 2 KW of continuous electrical power. This generating system employs a two-cycle MICE generator having a piston that operates within a cylinder, and an interconnected, axially moving piston shaft that oscillates an alternator coil within a magnetic core. The piston shaft is attached to, and resisted by, the free end of a strong spring with a second, opposing end fixed to the MICE casing. To control operation of the MICE generator A clipper circuit is employed with a set threshold to resolve peaks and an adjustable harshness for applying load to the coil based upon an amps/volt harshness setting. The engine can also be controlled dynamically throughout the cycle using the added Feedback from a controller in conjunction with an energy dissipating and/or storing Circuit to load the coil. The dynamic control can be based on a switching power supply implementation. Various engine operating parameters can be derived from coil voltage, current and resistance, and used to control and/or monitor the engine's performance. Engine functions can be controlled by varying intake temperature and other operating temperatures.