Rocker compressor mechanism

Abstract

A compressor assembly for compressing a vapor, including a compression mechanism having at least one piston reciprocatingly mounted therein and a motor operably coupled to the compression mechanism. A drive shaft is rotatively mounted in the motor. A rocker mechanism for converting rotational motion of the drive shaft into reciprocating motion of the piston is provided that includes a mounting plate, having an inclined surface, integrally formed with one end of the drive shaft. The rocker mechanism also includes means for linking the mounting plate and the piston so that when the drive shaft rotates, the piston reciprocates within the compression mechanism. The means for linking the mounting plate and the piston is operatively coupled to the mounting plate and is mounted directly to the piston. The means for linking the mounting plate and the piston may include a bearing, a flat plate, or a second plate having an inclined surface.

1 . A compressor assembly for compressing a vapor, comprising: 
 a compression mechanism and a motor operably coupled to said compression mechanism, said compression mechanism including at least one piston reciprocatingly mounted therein;    a drive shaft mounted in said motor for rotation therewith;    a support plate mounted to said motor, said drive shaft extending through said support plate; and    a rocker mechanism for converting rotational motion of said drive shaft into reciprocating motion of said piston, said rocker mechanism comprising: 
 a mounting plate integrally formed with one end of said drive shaft, said mounting plate having an inclined surface; and  
 means for linking said mounting plate and said piston, whereby when said drive shaft rotates, said piston reciprocates within said compression mechanism, said means for linking said mounting plate and said piston operatively coupled to said mounting plate and mounted directly to said piston.  
   
     
     
         2 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein said means for linking said mounting plate and said piston further includes a bearing fixedly mounted to said mounting plate, and a linkage arm operatively coupling said bearing and said piston.  
     
     
         3 . The compressor assembly of  claim 2  wherein said bearing further includes an inner race and an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings located between said inner and outer races, said outer race fixedly mounted to said mounting plate, and said inner race rotatably mounted within said outer race.  
     
     
         4 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein said means for linking said mounting plate and said piston further includes an actuating plate, said actuating plate having an inclined surface in operative contact with said mounting plate inclined surface.  
     
     
         5 . The compressor assembly of  claim 4  further including a rod, said piston mounted to one end of said rod, said actuating plate fixedly mounted to said rod, and said rod slidingly passing through said mounting plate into said drive shaft.  
     
     
         6 . The compressor of  claim 5  further including a second support plate, said rod supported for sliding motion by said support plate.  
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 1  wherein said means for linking said mounting plate and said piston further includes a flat plate mounted in abutting relationship with said mounting plate inclined surface, and a linkage arm operatively coupling said flat plate and said piston.  
     
     
         8 . The compressor assembly of  claim 7  wherein said flat plate is secured to said mounting plate by a retaining clip, said retaining clip including a spherical end and a plurality of legs, said legs having protrusions thereon to engage said drive shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The compressor assembly of  claim 8  wherein said flat plate pivots about said spherical end of said retaining clip.  
     
     
         10 . The compressor assembly of  claim 7  further comprising a spring captured under compression between said piston and said linkage arm, said linkage arm biased into contact with said flat plate by said spring.  
     
     
         11 . The compressor assembly of  claim 1  wherein said mounting plate further includes a plurality of grooves formed in said inclined surface, said grooves distributing lubricating oil to said inclined surface.  
     
     
         12 . A compressor assembly for compressing a vapor, comprising: 
 a compression mechanism and a motor operably coupled to said compression mechanism, said compression mechanism including at least one piston reciprocatingly mounted therein;    a drive shaft mounted in said motor for rotation therewith;    a support plate mounted to said motor, said drive shaft extending through said support plate; and    a rocker mechanism for converting rotational motion of said drive shaft into reciprocating motion of said piston, said rocker mechanism comprising: 
 a mounting plate integrally formed with one end of said drive shaft, said mounting plate having an inclined surface;  
 a bearing fixedly mounted to said mounting plate; and  
 a linkage arm operatively coupling said bearing and said piston.  
   
     
     
         13 . The compressor assembly of  claim 12  wherein said bearing further includes an inner race and an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings located between said inner and outer races, said outer race fixedly mounted to said mounting plate, and said inner race rotatably mounted within said outer race.  
     
     
         14 . The compressor assembly of  claim 13  wherein said linkage is pivotally mounted to said piston and said inner race of said bearing.  
     
     
         15 . The compressor assembly of  claim 12  wherein said supporting plate includes a cylindrical hub in which said drive shaft is rotatably supported.  
     
     
         16 . The compressor assembly of  claim 13  wherein said outer race is secured to said mounting plate by a plurality of fasteners.  
     
     
         17 . The compressor assembly of  claim 15  wherein said outer race rotates with said drive shaft about said inner race, said inclined surface facilitating reciprocation of said piston. A compressor assembly for compressing a vapor, comprising: 
 a compression mechanism and a motor operably coupled to said compression mechanism, said compression mechanism including at least one piston reciprocatingly mounted therein;    a drive shaft mounted in said motor for rotation therewith;    a support plate mounted to said motor, said drive shaft extending through said support plate; and    a rocker mechanism for converting rotational motion of said drive shaft into reciprocating motion of said piston, said rocker mechanism comprising: 
 a mounting plate integrally formed with one end of said drive shaft, said mounting plate having an inclined surface; and  
 an actuating plate, said actuating plate having an inclined surface in operative contact with said mounting plate inclined surface.  
   
     
     
         18 . A compressor assembly for compressing a vapor, comprising: 
 a compression mechanism and a motor operably coupled to said compression mechanism, said compression mechanism including at least one piston reciprocatingly mounted therein;    a drive shaft mounted in said motor for rotation therewith;    a support plate mounted to said motor, said drive shaft extending through said support plate; and    a rocker mechanism for converting rotational motion of said drive shaft into reciprocating motion of said piston, said rocker mechanism comprising: 
 a mounting plate integrally formed with one end of said drive shaft, said mounting plate having an inclined surface;  
 a flat plate mounted in abutting relationship with said mounting plate inclined surface; and  
 a linkage arm operatively coupling said flat plate and said piston.  
   
     
     
         19 . The compressor assembly of  claim 18  wherein said flat plate is secured to said mounting plate by a retaining clip, said retaining clip including a spherical end and a plurality of legs, said legs having protrusions thereon to engage said drive shaft.  
     
     
         20 . The compressor assembly of  claim 19  wherein said flat plate pivots about said spherical end of said retaining clip.  
     
     
         21 . The compressor assembly of  claim 18  wherein said flat plate further includes a-semispherical protrusion integrally formed with said flat plate, said linkage arm engaging said protrusion.  
     
     
         22 . The compressor assembly of  claim 18  further comprising a spring captured under compression between said piston and said linkage arm, said linkage arm biased into contact with said flat plate by said spring.