Resonant arrangement for a linear compressor

Abstract

A resonant arrangement for a linear compressor, comprising a non-resonant assembly formed by a motor and a cylinder ( 1 ); a resonant assembly formed by a piston ( 2 ) reciprocating inside the cylinder ( 1 ); an actuating means ( 3 ) operatively coupling the piston ( 2 ) to the motor, and at least one spring means presenting an elongated tubular body ( 50 ) which is coaxial to the axis of the piston ( 2 ) and is operatively coupled to the actuating means ( 3 ) and to the non-resonant assembly, said tubular body ( 50 ) having at least part of the extension therof folded in circumferential sectors ( 53 ), each circumferential sector ( 53 ) being elastically deformed in the axial direction upon displacement of the piston ( 2 ).

1 . A resonant arrangement for a linear compressor, comprising a non-resonant assembly formed by a motor and a cylinder ( 1 ); a resonant assembly formed by a piston ( 2 ) reciprocating inside the cylinder ( 1 ); an actuating means ( 3 ) operatively coupling the piston ( 2 ) to the motor, and at least one spring means, mounted to the resonant assembly and which is elastically and axially deformed toward the displacement of the piston ( 2 ), characterized in that the spring means presents an elongated tubular body ( 50 ), which is coaxial in relation to the axis of the piston ( 2 ) and has and end ( 51 ) operatively coupled to the actuating means ( 3 ) and an opposite end ( 52 ) operatively coupled to the non-resonant assembly, said tubular body ( 50 ) having at least part of the extension thereof folded in circumferential sectors ( 53 ) that are symmetric in relation to the axis of said tubular body ( 50 ), each circumferential sector ( 53 ) being elastically deformed in the axial direction upon displacement of the piston ( 2 ).  
   
   
       2 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the circumferential sectors ( 53 ) present the same cross section profile.  
   
   
       3 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 2 , characterized in that each circumferential sector ( 53 ) presents a substantially “V” shaped profile, each circumferential sector ( 53 ) being elastically deformed by variation of its respective dihedral angle.  
   
   
       4 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the circumferential sectors ( 53 ) present the same dihedral angle.  
   
   
       5 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the circumferential sectors ( 53 ) are orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body ( 50 ).  
   
   
       6 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the tubular body ( 50 ) presents a non-hollow lateral surface ( 54 ).  
   
   
       7 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the fixation of each end ( 51 ,  52 ) to the adjacent part defined by the cylinder ( 1 ) and the actuating means ( 3 ) is obtained by one of the processes of welding, gluing and screwing.  
   
   
       8 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 7 , characterized in that each one of the ends ( 51 ,  52 ) of the tubular body ( 50 ) is defined by a respective tubular extension not presenting the circumferential sectors ( 53 ) and dimensioned to provide a fitting to the respective part to which it is affixed.  
   
   
       9 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 8 , characterized in that each part to which is affixed an adjacent end ( 51 ,  52 ) of the tubular body ( 50 ) is provided with at least one circumferential tooth ( 1   a,    3   a,    3   b,    10   a ) which is coaxial to the axis of the piston ( 1 ) for fitting said respective end ( 51 ,  52 ).  
   
   
       10 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 9 , characterized in that each circumferential tooth ( 1   a,    3   a,    3   b,    10   a ) is continuous.  
   
   
       11 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 6 , in which the cylinder ( 1 ) is closed by a cylinder head ( 30 ) defining between a top portion of the piston ( 2 ) and said cylinder head ( 30 ) a compression chamber ( 9 ), characterized in that the tubular body ( 50 ) has an end ( 51 ) hermetically affixed to the cylinder ( 1 ) and the opposite end ( 52 ) hermetically affixed to the actuating means ( 3 ), in order to block the fluid communication between the compression chamber ( 9 ) and the exterior of the cylinder ( 1 ) through gaps existing between the piston ( 2 ) and the cylinder ( 1 ).  
   
   
       12 . The resonant arrangement according to  claim 1 , in which the hermetic compressor comprises a hermetic shell ( 10 ), inside which are mounted the resonant and the non-resonant assemblies, characterized in that it comprises another spring means in the form of a tubular body ( 50 ) having an end ( 51 ) affixed to the actuating means ( 3 ) and the other end ( 52 ) affixed to the shell ( 10 ).