Compact Compressor

Abstract

A compact compressor comprising a first tubular housing portion; a second tubular housing portion having a first end region open to the first tubular housing portion and a second end region defining a compression chamber and housing a piston; an electric motor carried by the first tubular housing portion; a driving means connecting the piston to the electric motor; a valve plate seated against the second end region of the second tubular housing portion; and an end cover fixed to the second tubular housing portion and acting against the valve plate and providing, internally and through the valve plate, fluid communications between the compression chamber and the suction line and discharge line of a refrigeration circuit to which the compressor is coupled.

1 . A compact compressor, wherein it comprises:
 a first tubular housing portion having a first end carrying a motor cover, and a open second end;   a second tubular housing portion having a first end region open to the second end of the first tubular housing portion and a second end region defining a compression chamber;   a piston located inside the compression chamber defined inside the second tubular housing portion;   an electric motor fixed in the first tubular housing portion;   a driving means of the piston, connecting the electric motor to said piston, so that said electric motor drives said piston in reciprocating motion inside the compression chamber;   a valve plate seated against the second end region of the second tubular housing portion, closing one end of the compression chamber;   an end cover fixed to the second tubular housing portion and acting against the valve plate in order to hold the latter hermetically seated against the second end region of the second tubular housing portion, said end cover providing, internally and through the valve plate, fluid communications between the compression chamber and respective suction line and discharge line of a refrigeration circuit to which the compressor is coupled.   
   
   
       2 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the end cover is fixed around at least part of the longitudinal extension of the second tubular housing portion, surrounding the valve plate. 
   
   
       3 . Compressor, according to  claim 2 , wherein the end cover is fixed by mechanical interference around the second tubular housing portion. 
   
   
       4 . Compressor, according to  claim 3 , wherein the end cover is provided with an inner thread to be engaged to an outer thread provided in the second tubular housing portion. 
   
   
       5 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid communication between the compression chamber and the discharge line is defined by a discharge chamber provided inside the end cover. 
   
   
       6 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the fluid communication between the compression chamber and the suction line is defined by a connecting means formed inside the end cover and housing an adjacent end of the suction line. 
   
   
       7 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a cylinder cover located between the valve plate and the end cover, the latter acting against the valve plate through the cylinder cover. 
   
   
       8 . Compressor, according to  claim 7 , wherein the cylinder cover is surrounded by the end cover. 
   
   
       9 . Compressor, according to  claim 7 , wherein the fluid communication between the compression chamber and the discharge line is defined by a discharge chamber formed inside the cylinder cover. 
   
   
       10 . Compressor, according to  claim 7 , wherein the fluid communication between the compression chamber and the suction line is defined by a connecting means to an adjacent end of the suction line, formed inside the cylinder cover. 
   
   
       11 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the compression chamber is laterally and circumferentially defined by a tubular sleeve made of an anti-friction material fixed inside the second end region of the second tubular housing portion. 
   
   
       12 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the piston is made of a self-lubricating material. 
   
   
       13 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tubular housing portion is orthogonal to the first tubular housing portion. 
   
   
       14 . Compressor, according to  claim 13 , wherein the driving means comprises a connecting rod connecting the piston to the electric motor. 
   
   
       15 . Compressor, according to  claim 14 , wherein it comprises: —a pair of rolling bearings mounted axially spaced to each other inside the first tubular housing portion; —a crankshaft mounted to the pair of rolling bearings and having an eccentric end portion projecting to the interior of the second tubular housing portion and to which is connected the connecting rod and a basic portion projecting to the interior of the first tubular housing portion, the electric motor being fixed to said basic portion of the crankshaft by the first tubular housing portion. 
   
   
       16 . Compressor, according to  claim 15 , wherein the crankshaft comprises a counterweight provided in the region of the eccentric end portion of said crankshaft. 
   
   
       17 . Compressor, according to  claim 16 , wherein the eccentric end portion and basic portion of the crankshaft are made of separate parts which are fixed to each other. 
   
   
       18 . Compressor, according to  claim 17 , wherein the eccentric end portion of the crankshaft is telescopically mounted and fixed to an adjacent end of the basic portion of said shaft. 
   
   
       19 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the first tubular housing portion is elongated and internally secures, along its length a stator of the electric motor, the crankshaft extending along the entire length of the first tubular housing portion and carries a rotor of the electric motor. 
   
   
       20 . Compressor, according to  claim 19 , wherein the motor cover is fixed to the first end of the first tubular housing portion. 
   
   
       21 . Compressor, according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the parts of first tubular housing portion and end cover is externally provided with heat exchange fins. 
   
   
       22 . Compressor, according to  claim 21 , wherein the heat exchange fins provided in the first tubular housing portion are circumferential. 
   
   
       23 . Compressor, according to  claim 22 , wherein the heat exchange fins provided in the end cover are longitudinal. 
   
   
       24 . Compressor, according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tubular housing portion has an end opening provided in its first end region and closed by an additional cover. 
   
   
       25 . Compressor, according to  claim 15 , wherein the electric motor is mounted to the first end of the first tubular housing portion and carries, in a respective end spaced therefrom, the motor cover.