Linear Compressor with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Spring

Abstract

A linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for reciprocating movement therein along an axis, the linear compressor having means for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis and means for buffering kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating movement of the compressor piston. The linear compressor includes an elastic element made from composite material operatively associated with at least one of the means for guiding and the means for buffering.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for reciprocating movement therein along an axis, the linear compressor having means for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis and means for buffering kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating movement of the compressor piston, the linear compressor comprising an elastic element made from composite material operatively associated with at least one of the means for guiding and the means for buffering. 
   
   
       17 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element is a spring, in particular a diaphragm spring. 
   
   
       18 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element is a fiber reinforced element. 
   
   
       19 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element includes carbon fibers. 
   
   
       20 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element includes glass fibers. 
   
   
       21 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element includes aramid fibers. 
   
   
       22 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element contains a plastic, in particular a polymer. 
   
   
       23 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element is configured for storing and releasing the kinetic energy of the compressor piston during reciprocating movement thereof. 
   
   
       24 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element, in particular a spring, is configured for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis. 
   
   
       25 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the compressor piston is guided in the piston housing by a housing wall having openings formed therein and a gaseous fluid, in particular a coolant, flowing through the openings. 
   
   
       26 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the elastic element has a spring constant ranging from about 2000 kg/s 2  to about 20000 kg/s 2 , in particular between about 3000 kg/s 2  and about 6000 kg/s 2 . 
   
   
       27 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the ratio of the transverse rigidity to the axial rigidity of the elastic element is at least about 1:20, in particular at least about 1:50, preferably at least about 1:100. 
   
   
       28 . The linear compressor according to  claim 16  wherein the means for guiding and the means for buffering are formed by the elastic element. 
   
   
       29 . A refrigerating device, in particular at least one of a refrigerator and a freezer and an air conditioning unit, the refrigerating device comprising a linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for reciprocating movement therein along an axis, the linear compressor having means for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis and means for buffering kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating movement of the compressor piston, the refrigerating device comprising an elastic element made from composite material operatively associated with at least one of the means for guiding and the means for buffering. 
   
   
       30 . A method for cooling goods including the steps of providing and operating a refrigerating device, in particular at least one of a refrigerator and a freezer and an air conditioning unit, the refrigerating device comprising a linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for reciprocating movement therein along an axis, the linear compressor having means for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis and means for buffering kinetic energy associated with the reciprocating movement of the compressor piston, the linear compressor including an elastic element made from composite material operatively associated with at least one of the means for guiding and the means for buffering. 
   
   
       31 . A method for compressing a fluid including the steps of providing and operating a linear compressor having a piston housing and a compressor piston configured for reciprocating movement therein along an axis, the linear compressor having means for guiding the compressor piston in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis and means for buffering kinetic energy associated with the back and forth movement of the compressor piston, and an elastic element made from composite material operatively associated with at least one of the means for guiding and the means for buffering.