Road & Track reports on a new Toyota gasoline engine which has one piston and no connecting rod or crankshaft. Think of it as a gasoline-powered generator. You need to see R&T's cutaway diagram.
Instead of spinning a magnet inside a coil of wire, the FPEG (Free Piston Engine Linear Generator) free piston slides back and forth within a coil built into the cylinder wall and generates power directly, supposedly with great efficiency. Apparently the basic design can also function as a diesel, firing on compression alone.
Most railroad locomotives are diesel-electrics, there's no especial reason why autos and trucks cannot operate similarly. Drive the vehicle's wheels with electric motors and power those with the FPEG. I like the concept. Hat tip to Instapundit for the link.
