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In this paper the development approach and the results of numerical and experimental investigations on homogeneous charge compression ignition in a free piston engine are presented. The Free Piston Linear Generator (FPLG) is a new type of internal combustion engine designed for the application in a hybrid electric vehicle. The highly integrated system consists of a two-stroke combustion unit, a linear generator, and a mass-variable gas spring. These three subsystems are arranged longitudinally in a double piston configuration. The system oscillates linearly between the combustion chamber and the gas spring, while electrical energy is extracted by the centrally arranged linear generator. The mass-variable gas spring is used as intermediate energy storage between the downstroke and upstroke. Due to this arrangement piston stroke and compression ratio are no longer determined by a mechanical system.

The present paper introduces the Free Piston Linear Generator (FPLG) - a compact electricity generation unit, which is being developed at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). It is designed as a free-piston combustion engine with integrated linear generator. This combination allows for highly efficient conversion of the chemical energy stored in a fuel to electrical energy. By combining a two stroke combustion chamber, a linear alternator and an adjustable gas spring the engine design results in a compact package. In comparison to conventional combustion engines, additional degrees of freedom are available for controlling the combustion process. In this context efficiency advantages are expected due to the missing mechanical link to a crank which leads to flexibility in terms of stroke and compression ratio. Applied as a range-extender-unit, the system provides additional electric energy to electric vehicles in case of discharged batteries.