Linear compressor assembly

Abstract

A linear compressor assembly includes a housing having a bore formed therein, the bore being axially oriented along a first axis, a piston reciprocally disposed within the bore, and a plurality of drive coils adjacent the bore for energizing the drive coils to produce a magnetic field capable of displacing the piston within the bore substantially along the first axis. A controller is used for selectively controlling energizing of the drive coils. A cooling system is at least partially disposed in the housing and the cooling system is used for cooling the apparatus.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a bore formed therein, the bore being axially oriented along a first axis;    a piston reciprocally disposed within the bore;    a plurality of drive coils adjacent the bore for energizing the drive coils to produce a magnetic field capable of displacing the piston within the bore substantially along the first axis;    a controller for selectively controlling energizing of the drive coils; and    a cooling system at least partially disposed in the housing, the cooling system for cooling the apparatus.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising a sensor positioned relative one end of the housing, the sensor capable of measuring relative distance and velocity between the sensor and the piston, wherein the controller selectively energizes the drive coils in response to a signal from the sensor.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cooling system includes a cooling reservoir positioned between the drive coils and the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  where the cooling system includes a pump configured for pumping cooling fluid through the cooling reservoir and conduit for fluidly connecting the pump and the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the cooling reservoir includes vanes formed therein.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the vanes impact a flow of cooling fluid through the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the vanes facilitate a transfer of heat between heat produced by the apparatus and cooling fluid contained within the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising a heat exchanger for further reducing compression heat of the apparatus.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the heat exchanger is positioned within an inlet portion of the housing.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the heat exchanger is positioned within an outlet portion of the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive coils are formed from a superconductive material to facilitate cooling of the apparatus.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the cooling system is sufficient to maintain a temperature of the drive coils at a superconducting temperature.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a bore formed therein, the bore being axially oriented along a first axis;    a piston reciprocally disposed within the bore;    a plurality of drive coils disposed adjacent the bore for energizing the drive coils to produce a magnetic field capable of displacing the piston within the bore substantially parallel to the first axis;    a cooling reservoir positioned between the drive coils and the housing, wherein the cooling reservoir reduces compression heat of the apparatus;    a sensor for determining position and velocity of the piston relative to the housing, wherein the sensor functions independently of the drive coils; and    a controller for selectively controlling the energizing of the drive coils in response to a signal from the sensor.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the piston is formed from a ferromagnetic material.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the piston includes a plurality of permanent magnets.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the drive coils are formed from a superconductor material.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein cooling fluid circulates through the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , and further comprising a pump for pumping cooling fluid through the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , and further comprising a heat exchanger for further reducing compression heat of the apparatus, wherein the compressor is fluidly connected to the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the cooling reservoir includes vanes formed within the cooling reservoir.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein application of an electric current to the drive coils produces the magnetic field and the sensor functions independently of the electric current.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the sensor functions independently of the magnetic field.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the sensor functions independently of any inductance formed between the piston and the bore.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the apparatus is a linear compressor.  
   
   
       25 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a housing including a central portion and two end portions, the two end portions being mounted at opposite ends of the central portion, wherein the central portion defines a bore;    a piston reciprocally disposed within the bore;    a plurality of drive coils disposed adjacent the bore for energizing the drive coils to produce a magnetic field capable of displacing the piston within the bore;    a cooling system at least partially disposed in the housing, the cooling system for reducing compression heat of the apparatus;    a sensor positioned relative to one of the two end portions, the sensor capable of measuring relative distance and velocity between the sensor and the piston; and    a controller for selectively controlling the energizing of the drive coils in response to a signal from the sensor.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the cooling system comprises: 
 a cooling reservoir positioned between the drive coils and the housing;    a pump configured for pumping cooling fluid through the cooling reservoir; and    conduit for fluidly connecting the pump and the cooling reservoir.    
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the cooling reservoir includes vanes formed therein.  
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 26  wherein the cooling system includes a heat exchanger positioned between an outlet of the cooling reservoir and the pump, the heat exchanger for further reducing compression heat of the apparatus.  
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , and further comprising a heat exchanger for further reducing compression heat of the apparatus.  
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , and further comprising an operator interface for inputting a desired stroke and velocity of the piston relative to the housing, wherein the controller operates the maintain the piston at the desired stroke and velocity based upon measured distance and velocity between the sensor and the piston.  
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the controller includes a sequencer to control actuation and de-actuation of the drive coils.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the sensor operates utilizing electromagnetic radiation in excess of one gigahertz.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the sensor is a microwave sensor.  
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.  
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein the apparatus is a linear compressor.