Linear Compressor

Abstract

The present invention refers to a linear compressor comprising a piston ( 9 ) arranged slidably inside a cylinder ( 15 ); in said cylinder ( 15 ) the 15 piston ( 9 ) defines a first low-pressure chamber ( 21 ) and a second high-pressure chamber ( 22 ), said piston being further provided with communication means ( 23 ) between said first and said second chamber ( 21, 22 ), which are controlled by valve means ( 24 ) to establish such communication therebetween.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . Linear compressor comprising a piston ( 9 ) arranged slidably inside a cylinder ( 15 ), said piston ( 9 ) defining in said cylinder ( 15 ) a first low-pressure chamber ( 21 ) and a second high-pressure chamber ( 22 ), said piston ( 9 ) being further provided with communication means ( 23 ) between said first and said second chamber ( 21 ,  22 ), which are controlled by valve means ( 24 ) to establish such communication therebetween, characterized in that said first and second chambers ( 21 ,  22 ) have substantially the same diameter, said piston ( 9 ) being part of a moving element ( 6 ) comprising a base plate ( 7 ) from which there extends a shaft ( 8 ) supporting said piston ( 9 ) at an end portion thereof.  
   
   
       12 . Linear compressor according to  claim 11 , wherein said first and said second chamber ( 21 ,  22 ) have a volume that is variable depending on the position of said piston ( 9 ) in said cylinder ( 15 ).  
   
   
       13 . Linear compressor according to  claim 11 , wherein said communication means comprise at least a communication aperture ( 23 ) provided in said piston ( 9 ).  
   
   
       14 . Linear compressor according to  claim 13 , wherein said shaft ( 8 ) is accommodated slidably inside a guide body ( 12 ) terminated by a flange ( 13 ) that is provided with at least a suction port ( 16 ) controlled by suction valve means ( 17 ).  
   
   
       15 . Linear compressor according to  claim 14 , wherein said flange ( 13 ) is provided integral with said guide body ( 12 ).  
   
   
       16 . Linear compressor according to  claim 13 , wherein said piston ( 9 ) compresses a fluid in either direction inside said cylinder ( 15 ), thereby generating two compression stages, in which the exhaust or delivery phase in said first low-pressure chamber ( 21 ) occurs concurrently to the suction phase in said second high-pressure chamber ( 22 ) through said communication aperture ( 23 ) and said communication valve means ( 24 ).  
   
   
       17 . Linear compressor according to  claim 13 , wherein the displacement stroke of said piston ( 9 ) moving away from said flange ( 13 ) generates, in the first low-pressure chamber ( 21 ), the expansion phase (AB) and suction phase (BC) as controlled by said suction valve means ( 17 ) and, in the second high-pressure chamber ( 22 ), the compression phase (AE) and exhaust phase (EF) as controlled by said exhaust valve means ( 30 ) said communication aperture ( 23 ) being closed by said communication valve means ( 24 ) during said suction phase in the first low-pressure chamber ( 21 ) and said compression phase in the second high-pressure chamber ( 22 ).  
   
   
       18 . Linear compressor according to  claim 11 , characterized in that it further comprises a lubrication and cooling system comprising a first channel ( 33 ) establishing a communication between a reservoir ( 32 ) and one or more first ports ( 34 ) provided circumferentially in the cylindrical guide body ( 12 ), and a circulating pump ( 31 ) adapted to deliver a lubricant between said shaft ( 8 ) and said guide body ( 12 ) from said reservoir ( 32 ) through said first channel ( 33 ) and said first ports ( 34 ).  
   
   
       19 . Linear compressor according to  claim 18 , wherein said lubricant further flows from said guide body ( 12 ), through a second channel ( 35 ), a second port ( 36 ) provided in said flange ( 13 ) and a third channel ( 37 ) provided in said cylinder ( 15 ), into a hollow space or jacket ( 38 ) obtained in a wall of said cylinder ( 15 ).