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Free piston generators are of interest due to their efficiency, compact construction, and multiple options for combustion. Much of the research into this type of generator has been facilitated by highly-developed internal combustion engine technology. This study was concerned with the design and application of tubular generator. The design model was developed using the matrix laboratory graphical user interface programming tool, and the designed interface was of dynamic type. The sizing of the generator was determined in accordance with the main parameters specified via the interface. In addition, as a benefit of using sizing data, the automatic geometry was formed and analyzed using ANSYS Maxwell software. The magnets and the dynamic part of the tubular-structured generator were shaped polygonally. Numerical analyses were made by adopting the finite element method in the software and construction of the prototype model was based on the results from these findings. The generator was excited by use of the crank rod mechanism to imitate the conditions of a functioning free piston mechanism. Current and voltage values were obtained at mechanical frequencies of 10 Hz and 20 Hz, and this data was subsequently analyzed. Global code translation was given in attachment in order to allow communication between the ANSYS Maxwell and MATLAB GUI software. (C) 2022 Sharif University of Technology. All rights reserved.

Linear generators are electric machines which generate electrical energy from linear movement. Since these machines can lift gear wheel or power train, they have begun to be used widely nowadays. Since their working areas differ according to speed and power characteristic, this study contains design and optimization of tubular linear generator for free piston practices. The design performed response surface optimization through design variables acquired as a result of sizing via interface. The association between the determined design variables and the sizes of generator output was examined. In addition, these sizes were used for objective functions of increasing efficiency, decreasing overall volume and increasing general performance and their optimum values were found by using Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm. Initial and optimum design data were compared with Ansys Maxwell 2D. With overall performance increase, 22,78% decrease was seen in total mass, while 11,7% decrease was seen in cost. In addition, prototype linear generator was made in line with initial geometry data and it was applied with crank slider mechanism.