Arrangement and process for mounting a resonant spring in a linear motor compressor and a linear motor compressor

Abstract

A compressor comprising: a cylinder crankcase ( 10 ) defining a compression chamber ( 13 ) housing a reciprocating piston ( 22 ); an actuating means ( 40 ) coupled to the piston ( 22 ); and a resonant spring means ( 50 ) having a first and a second diametrical end segment ( 50 a, 50 b ) respectively affixed to the actuating means ( 40 ) by a first securing means (MF 1 ) and to the cylinder crankcase ( 10 ) by a second securing means (MF 2 ), the latter comprising: a base vise jaw ( 60, 60′ ) affixed to the second diametrical end segment ( 50 b); a top vise jaw ( 70, 70′ ) mounted between opposite portions of the cylinder crankcase ( 10 ) and seated, pressed and locked against the base vise jaw ( 60, 60′ ), in a condition in which the axes of the end diametrical segments ( 50 a, 50 b ) intercept the axis of the compression chamber ( 13 ) and in which the piston ( 22 ) has a predetermined axial position in the compression chamber ( 13 ).

1 . An arrangement for mounting a resonant spring in a linear motor compressor of the type comprising: a cylinder crankcase defining a cylindrical region inside which is formed a compression chamber a piston reciprocating in the compression chamber, an actuating means coupled to the piston; and a resonant spring means having a first diametrical end segment, affixed to the actuating means by a first securing means and a second diametrical end segment, affixed to the cylinder crankcase by a second securing means, characterized in that the second securing means comprises:
 a base vise jaw rigidly affixed to the second diametrical end segment of the resonant spring means in a predetermined position;   a top vise jaw mounted, by a first tightening means, between two opposite portions of the cylinder crankcase and seated and compressed, by at least one second tightening means and in an axially and radially adjustable manner, in relation to the shaft of the resonant spring means, against the base vise jaw, locking the latter to the top vise jaw, in a condition in which the axes of the end diametrical segments of the resonant spring means intercept the axis of the cylindrical region of the cylinder crankcase and in which the piston presents a predetermined axial position inside said cylindrical region.   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that the base vise jaw presents two guide surfaces located in planes parallel to each other and orthogonal to the axis of the second diametrical segment and symmetric in relation to the longitudinal axis of the resonant spring means, the top vise jaw comprising a “U” shaped body mounted, by the first tightening means, between the two opposite extensions of the cylinder crankcase and presenting a basic portion from which projects a pair of flanges parallel to each other, located orthogonally to the axis of the second diametrical segment and seated and compressed, by at least one of the second tightening means, each against a respective guide surface of the base vise jaw locking said vise jaws between each other. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that the base vise jaw is provided with at least one through opening joining the two guide surfaces and having its longitudinal axis intercepting the axis of the resonant spring means, said each flange of the top vise jaw being provided with at least one through hole, said second tightening means being defined by a bolt, loosely arranged through a respective through opening of the base vise jaw and, in a tight manner, through a respective through hole of the top vise jaw and having an enlarged end head externally seated against one of said flanges and an opposite end threaded inside a locking means associated with the other of said flanges. 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 3 , characterized in that the locking means is defined by a nut externally seated against the other of said flanges of the top vise jaw. 
     
     
         5 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 3 , characterized in that the locking means is defined by through hole itself, internally threaded, of said other flange of the top vise jaw. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 3 , characterized in that the cylinder crankcase incorporates two opposite extensions in the form of two rods projecting axially from the cylindrical region in the same direction, each rod being provided with a through hole aligned with the through hole of the other rod, the first tightening means being defined by a bolt, loosely arranged through the top vise jaw, between the two flanges and between the second tightening means and the basic portion of the top vise jaw and through the through holes of the two opposite extensions of the cylinder crankcase, said bolt having an enlarged end head externally seated against one of said opposite extensions and an opposite end threaded inside a locking means associated with the other of said rods. 
     
     
         7 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 6 , characterized in that the locking means is defined by a nut operatively associated with the other of said rods of the cylinder crankcase. 
     
     
         8 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 7 , characterized in that the nut is externally seated against said other rod of the cylinder crankcase. 
     
     
         9 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 7 , characterized in that the nut is defined by an insert incorporated in said other rod of the cylinder crankcase. 
     
     
         10 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 6 , characterized in that the locking means is defined by the through hole itself, which is internally threaded, of said other rod of the cylinder crankcase. 
     
     
         11 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that the resonant spring means is defined by at least one coil spring and has the second diametrical end segment in two pieces and defined in two radial portions, each of which being formed by a respective spring wire end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that the base vise jaw presents a rear surface seated against the second diametrical segment of the resonant spring means and comprises a bracket having an arcuate median portion seated against said second diametrical segment, and a pair of lateral tabs seated and rigidly and permanently affixed to said rear surface of the base vise jaw, pressing and locking said second diametrical segment to the base vise jaw. 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 1 , characterized in that the cylindrical region of the cylinder crankcase houses, therein, a sleeve, said compression chamber being defined inside said sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that the base vise jaw presents a frontal surface facing the basic portion of the top vise jaw, said through opening being defined by a lowered portion open to said frontal surface of the base vise jaw. 
     
     
         15 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 2 , characterized in that the base vise jaw is provided with two through passages, joining the two guide surfaces, and being located parallel and on opposite sides in relation to a plane containing the axis of the resonant spring means and the second diametrical end segment thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The arrangement, as set forth in  claim 15 , characterized in that each flange of the base vise jaw further presents a median cut defining a gap large enough to loosely receive the second diametrical end segment of the resonant spring means. 
     
     
         17 . A process for mounting a resonant spring in a linear motor compressor of the type defined in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the steps of:
 affixing, rigidly and definitively, the base vise jaw to the second diametrical end segment of the resonant spring means, in a predetermined and aligned position in relation to the axis of the resonant spring means;   affixing the diametrical end segment of the resonant spring means to the actuating means by means of the first securing means, with the axis of the actuating means being arranged coaxially aligned to the axis of the resonant spring means and to the axis of the base vise jaw;   preliminary affixing the top vise jaw to the base vise jaw using the second tightening means;   inserting the pre-mounted assembly defined by actuating means, the resonant spring means and the piston inside the cylinder crankcase, said piston being positioned inside the compression chamber;   adjusting the distance between the top of the piston and the seating plane of the valve plate in the cylinder crankcase;   centralizing the magnets in relation to the cylinder crankcase, according to two longitudinal planes, orthogonal to each other and which contain the axis of the cylinder crankcase, and maintaining the resonant assembly in the aligned position;   actuating the first tightening means in order to lock the top vise jaw to the opposite extensions of the cylinder crankcase; and   actuating the second tightening means in order to lock the base vise jaw to the top vise jaw.   
     
     
         18 . (canceled)