Suspension for Linear Compressor

Abstract

A refrigeration system compressor including a hermetic housing and a linear compressor within said hermetic housing. The compressor includes at least two relatively reciprocating parts, with one part typically being much greater mass than the other part. The relative reciprocation of the centre of mass of each part occurs along an axis of reciprocation. The compressor hangs from a pair of suspension elements. Each suspension element includes a first attachment portion connected to the compressor and a second attachment portion connected to an upper support point above the compressor. A body spans between the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion. The body comprises a flexible planar or linear element, oriented perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of the compressor.

1 . A suspension element supporting a linear compressor within a hermetic shell, said suspension element comprising: 
 a first attachment portion connected to the compressor, a second attachment portion connected to an upper support point above the compressor, and a body spanning between said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion, said body comprising a flexible planar or linear element, oriented perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of said compressor.    
   
   
       2 . A suspension element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said flexible element comprises a thin polymer sheet material.  
   
   
       3 . A suspension element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said flexible element comprises a planar fibre reinforced plastic sheet.  
   
   
       4 . A suspension element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first attachment portion is connected to said compressor substantially on or below an axis coinciding with the reciprocating axis of the centre of mass of said compressor.  
   
   
       5 . A suspension element as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said planar web comprises at least a pair of spokes diverging from said first attachment portion to said second attachment portion.  
   
   
       6 . A suspension element as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said first attachment portion is a bent or folded portion of said sheet and said bent or folded portion is held in a clamp.  
   
   
       7 . A suspension element as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said second attachment portion is a bent or folded portion of said sheet, and said bent or folded portion is held in a clamp.  
   
   
       8 . A refrigeration system compressor comprising a hermetic housing, a linear compressor within said hermetic housing, said compressor including at least two relatively reciprocating parts, with one part typically being much greater mass than the other part, the relative reciprocation of the centre of mass of each part occurring along an axis of reciprocation, and 
 a first suspension element comprising:    a first attachment portion connected to the compressor, a second attachment portion connected to an upper support point above the compressor, and a body spanning between said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion, said body comprising a flexible planar or linear element, oriented perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of said compressor;    and a second suspension element comprising:    a first attachment portion connected to the compressor, a second attachment portion connected to an upper support point above the compressor, and a body spanning between said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion, said body comprising a flexible planar or linear element, oriented perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of said compressor;    the first attachment portion of each said suspension element being connected with said compressor part of greater mass, and the second attachment portion of each said element being fixed to one part of said hermetic housing, such that substantially the entire weight of said compressor hangs from said second attachment portions.    
   
   
       9 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said flexible element comprises a thin polymer sheet material.  
   
   
       10 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said flexible element comprises a planar fibre reinforced plastic sheet.  
   
   
       11 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the second attachment portion of at least one of said first and second suspension elements is connected to said compressor at or below an axis coinciding with the reciprocating axis of the centre of mass of the compressor.  
   
   
       12 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said body comprises at least a pair of spokes diverging from said first attachment portion to said second attachment portion.  
   
   
       13 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said compressor includes an inverted suspension element comprising: 
 a first attachment portion connected to the compressor and a second attachment portion connected to a lower support point below the compressor, and a body spanning between said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion, said body comprising a flexible planar or linear element oriented perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of said compressor.    
   
   
       14 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said second attachment portion is connected to said compressor below said axis of reciprocation of said centre of mass, and said compressor includes an inverted suspension element comprising: 
 a first attachment portion connected to the compressor and a second attachment portion connected to a lower support point below the compressor, and a body spanning between said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion, said body comprising a flexible planar or linear element oriented perpendicular to the axis of reciprocation of said compressor.    
   
   
       15 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said first attachment portion of said inverted suspension element connects to said compressor above said axis coinciding with the reciprocation axis of the centre of mass of said compressor.  
   
   
       16 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the planar web of one said suspension element comprises at least a pair of spokes diverging from said first attachment portion to said second attachment portion and wherein said first attachment portion of said suspension element is adjacent the gap between said spokes.  
   
   
       17 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said body of said other suspension element comprises at least a pair of spokes diverging from said first attachment portion to said second attachment portion, and said first attachment portion of said one suspension element is adjacent the gap between spokes of said inverted suspension element.  
   
   
       18 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 13  including a suspension frame, said second attachment portion of the upper of said suspension elements connected to an upper portion of said frame, and said second attachment portion of the lower of said suspension elements connected to a lower portion of said frame.  
   
   
       19 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 17  including a suspension frame, said second attachment portion of the upper of said suspension elements connected to an upper portion of said frame, and said second attachment portion of the lower of said suspension elements connected to a lower portion of said frame.  
   
   
       20 . A compressor as claimed in  claim 16  wherein a compressor mounting for at least one additional suspension element passes through the gap between said spokes of said body.