Reciprocating compressor

Abstract

A reciprocating compressor is provided. The compressor includes a casing, a linear reciprocating motor provided inside the casing to generate a linear driving force, a cylinder fixed with respect to the casing, and a piston which reciprocates within the cylinder based on movement of the linear motor. An oil pump provided in the compressor includes an oil piston which reciprocates in response to the reciprocating motion of the piston to provide oil to the cylinder and piston.

1 . A reciprocating compressor, comprising: 
 a casing;    a frame fixed within the casing and configured to support a stator coupled to a linearly-reciprocated mover;    a cylinder fixed to the frame;    a first piston coupled to the mover and configured to reciprocate within the cylinder as the mover reciprocates; and    a pump installed between the frame and the cylinder so as to be in communication with a passage formed in the frame, wherein the pump is configured to reciprocate with the piston so as to generate a pumping force.    
   
   
       2 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is installed surrounding an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder.  
   
   
       3 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the pump comprises: 
 a second piston configured to reciprocate within a pocket defined by the cylinder and the frame, in a motion direction of the first piston;    a valve configured to open and close the passage formed in the frame when the second piston is reciprocated; and    one or more piston springs installed along a motion direction of the second piston and configured to elastically support a reciprocation of the second piston.    
   
   
       4 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the second piston has a substantially cylindrical shape such that an inner circumferential surface of the second piston contacts an outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, and an outer circumferential surface of the oil piston contacts an inner circumferential surface of the frame.  
   
   
       5 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the valve is substantially ring shaped, and wherein the valve comprises a suction valve portion at one side thereof and a discharge valve portion at another side thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 5 , wherein the valve is supported by a piston spring.  
   
   
       7 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the piston spring is a compression coil spring.  
   
   
       8 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 3 , wherein the pump comprises an oil pump and the second piston comprises an oil piston, and wherein the oil pump is configured to pump oil through the passage so as to provide for lubrication between the first piston and the cylinder.  
   
   
       9 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is configured to reciprocate in response to air pressure developed in the mover.  
   
   
       10 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 9 , wherein the pump comprises: 
 a second piston configured to reciprocate within a pocket formed between the cylinder and the frame, in a motion direction of the first piston;    a valve configured to open and close the passage;    a plurality of piston springs positioned on opposite sides of the second piston and orientated a motion direction of the second piston; and    a spring supporting plate positioned between the cylinder and the frame and having a plurality of air passing holes formed therein, wherein the spring supporting plate is configured to support one of the plurality of piston springs, and to apply an air pressure difference due to a reciprocation of the first piston to the second piston.    
   
   
       11 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the pump is coupled to the first piston so as to reciprocate as the first piston reciprocates.  
   
   
       12 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 11 , wherein the pump comprises: 
 a second piston configured to reciprocate within a pocket formed between the cylinder and the frame, in a motion direction of the first piston;    a valve configured to open and close the passage formed in the frame; and    a plurality of piston springs installed on opposite sides of the second piston and oriented in a motion direction of the second piston, wherein one of the plurality of piston springs has a first end connected to the second piston and a second end connected to the first piston.    
   
   
       13 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 11 , wherein the pump comprises: 
 a second piston and configured to reciprocate within a pocket formed between the cylinder and the frame, in a motion direction of the first piston;    a valve configured to open and close the passage formed in the frame;    a plurality of piston springs installed on opposite sides of the second piston and oriented in a motion direction of the second piston;    a spring supporting plate positioned between the cylinder and the frame and having at least one opening formed therein, wherein the spring supporting plate is configured to support one of the plurality of piston springs; and    a connection member configured to be slidably inserted into the at least one opening formed in the spring supporting plate, wherein the connection member is coupled to the second piston and the first piston.    
   
   
       14 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the pump performs a reciprocation in response to an impact force which occurs when a part of the first piston periodically collides with a part of the pump.  
   
   
       15 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 14 , wherein the pump comprises: 
 a second piston configured to reciprocate within a pocket formed between the cylinder and the frame, in a motion direction of the first piston;    a valve configured to open and close the passage;    a plurality of piston springs installed at opposite sides of the second piston and oriented in a motion direction of the second piston;    a spring supporting plate positioned between the cylinder and the frame and having at least one opening formed therein, wherein the spring supporting plate is configured to support one of the plurality of piston springs; and    a collision member protruding from the first piston and configured to be sidably inserted into the at least one opening in the spring supporting plate so as to periodically collide with the second piston.    
   
   
       16 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 15 , further comprising a collision plate positioned between one of the plurality of piston springs and the spring supporting plate, wherein the collision plate is configured to apply an impact force to the piston spring when the collision member collides with the collision plate.  
   
   
       17 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 15 , wherein the collision member is a compression coil spring.  
   
   
       18 . The reciprocating compressor of  claim 15 , wherein the collision member extends from the first piston or from the second piston as a protrusion.