Linear Compressor With a Gas Spring

Abstract

A refrigeration appliance, in particular at least one of a refrigerator, freezer and an air conditioning unit, includes a cooling chamber; a linear compressor having a piston housing; a compressor piston disposed within the piston housing and configured for reciprocatory motion along an axis within the piston housing; and buffer means for storing kinetic energy associated with the motion of the compressor piston, wherein the buffer means is configured to store the kinetic energy of the compressor piston in an interim manner by compression of a gaseous fluid during reciprocatory motion of the compressor piston.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A refrigeration appliance, in particular at least one of a refrigerator, freezer and an air conditioning unit, comprising a cooling chamber; a linear compressor having a piston housing; a compressor piston disposed within the piston housing and configured for reciprocatory motion along an axis within the piston housing; and buffer means for storing kinetic energy associated with the motion of the compressor piston, wherein the buffer means is configured to store the kinetic energy of the compressor piston in an interim manner by compression of a gaseous fluid during reciprocatory motion of the compressor piston. 
   
   
       16 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 15  wherein the buffer means includes a compression chamber formed by the piston housing and the compressor piston configured for being sealed during compressor piston movement. 
   
   
       17 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 15  wherein the buffer means includes a valve configured for closing before the compressor piston reverses direction and opening after the compressor piston reverses direction. 
   
   
       18 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 17  wherein the valve closes during a forward compressor piston movement within a segment of 50% of the piston travel of the reciprocatory movement before a reversal point of the compressor piston, in particular within a segment of 20% of the piston travel before a reversal point of the compressor piston, in particular within 10% of the piston travel before the reversal point of the compressor piston. 
   
   
       19 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 17  wherein the valve is configured for opening during a backward movement within a segment of 50% of the piston travel of the forward and backward movement after a compressor piston reversal point, in particular within a segment of 20% of the piston travel after a compressor piston reversal point, in particular within 10% of the piston travel after a compressor piston reversal point. 
   
   
       20 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 15  and further comprising a plurality of openings formed in the housing wall, wherein the compressor piston is guided in the piston housing with the aid of the housing wall and a gaseous fluid, in particular a refrigerant, flowing through the openings. 
   
   
       21 . The refrigeration appliance according to  claim 15  wherein buffer means for storing kinetic energy associated with the motion of the compressor piston is provided at each respective reversal point of the compressor piston. 
   
   
       22 . A linear compressor particularly suitable and intended for a refrigeration appliance comprising a piston housing; a compressor piston disposed within the piston housing and configured for reciprocatory motion along an axis within the piston housing; and buffer means for storing kinetic energy associated with the motion of the compressor piston, wherein the buffer means is configured to store the kinetic energy of the compressor piston in an interim manner by compression of a gaseous fluid during reciprocatory motion of the compressor piston. 
   
   
       23 . A method for compressing a gaseous fluid with the aid of a refrigeration appliance comprising the steps of:
 providing a linear compressor, the linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for recriprocatory movement along an axis therein; providing buffer means for storing kinetic energy associated with the motion of the compressor piston, the buffer means including a gas cushion;   buffering a majority of the kinetic energy of the compressor piston moving in a recriprocating manner, in particular up to more than about 90%, using the gas cushion, to cause a reversal of the movement direction of the compressor piston moving in a recriprocating manner.   
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23  and further comprising the step of forming the gas cushion using a gaseous fluid sealed using the compressor piston. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24  wherein the step of forming the gas cushion includes using an inner chamber formed by the piston housing and sealing the compressor piston prior to reversal of the piston movement direction, the inner chamber being opened again after the movement direction of the compressor piston has been reversed. 
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of forming the gas cushion includes sealing the inner chamber within a time interval of about ¼ of the period length of the compressor piston reciprocatory movement, in particular about ⅛ of the period length of the compressor piston reciprocatory movement, before the time of the movement direction reversal. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the step of forming the gas cushion includes the step of opening the inner chamber within a time interval of about ¼ of the period length of the compressor piston reciprocatory movement, in particular about ⅛ of the period length of the compressor piston reciprocatory movement, after the time of the movement direction reversal. 
   
   
       28 . A method for cooling goods including the steps of providing a refrigeration appliance including a linear compressor, the linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for recriprocatory movement along an axis therein; providing buffer means for storing kinetic energy associated with the motion of the compressor piston, the buffer means including a gas cushion; buffering a majority of the kinetic energy of the compressor piston moving in a recriprocating manner, in particular up to more than about 90%, using the gas cushion, to cause a reversal of the movement direction of the compressor piston moving in a recriprocating manner; storing goods for cooling in the refrigeration appliance; and operating the refrigeration appliance.