Heat dissipation assembly for a linear compressor

Abstract

A linear compressor includes a housing defining a sump for collecting a lubricant and a pump for circulating the lubricant within the housing. A heat dissipation assembly includes a distribution conduit that is fluidly coupled to a hot oil collection point and defines a plurality of discharge ports for distributing the lubricant along the housing and back into the sump. A flow restricting member may be positioned under or wrapped around the distribution conduit to restrict the flow of lubricant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A compressor defining an axial direction and a vertical direction, the compressor comprising:
 a housing defining a sump for collecting lubricant;   a casing positioned within the housing for slidably receiving a piston, the casing defining a hot oil collection point;   a pump for circulating the lubricant within the housing, the pump comprising a pump inlet positioned within the sump; and   a heat dissipation assembly comprising:
 a distribution conduit extending along an inner surface of the housing, the distribution conduit defining a fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the hot oil collection point for receiving the lubricant; and 
 a plurality of discharge ports defined within the distribution conduit for dripping the lubricant along the housing and back into the sump. 
   
     
     
         2 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discharge ports is spaced equidistantly along a length of the distribution conduit. 
     
     
         3 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discharge ports comprises greater than 50 apertures. 
     
     
         4 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of discharge ports are positioned and oriented for directing the lubricant onto the inner surface of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of discharge ports are defined on a bottom of the distribution conduit. 
     
     
         6 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of discharge ports is an orifice or a discharge nozzle. 
     
     
         7 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation assembly further comprises:
 a flow restricting member positioned over the plurality of discharge ports for restricting the lubricant from passing through the plurality of discharge ports.   
     
     
         8 . The compressor of  claim 7 , wherein the flow restricting member is a spring element extending around the distribution conduit. 
     
     
         9 . The compressor of  claim 7 , wherein the flow restricting member is a woven fabric or a screen mesh positioned over the plurality of discharge ports. 
     
     
         10 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution conduit extends around an entire circumference of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the compressor is a linear compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation assembly further comprises:
 a supply tube providing fluid communication between the hot oil collection point and the fluid inlet of the distribution conduit.   
     
     
         13 . The compressor of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution conduit is attached directly to the housing. 
     
     
         14 . A heat dissipation assembly for a compressor, the compressor comprising a housing defining a sump for collecting lubricant, a casing positioned within the housing for slidably receiving a piston, the casing defining a hot oil collection point, and a pump for circulating the lubricant within the housing, the heat dissipation assembly comprising:
 a distribution conduit extending along an inner surface of the housing, the distribution conduit defining a fluid inlet fluidly coupled to the hot oil collection point for receiving the lubricant; and   a plurality of discharge ports defined within the distribution conduit for dripping the lubricant along the housing and back into the sump.   
     
     
         15 . The heat dissipation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of discharge ports comprises greater than 50 apertures that are spaced equidistantly along a length of the distribution conduit. 
     
     
         16 . The heat dissipation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of discharge ports are defined on a bottom of the distribution conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The heat dissipation assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a flow restricting member positioned over the plurality of discharge ports for restricting the lubricant from passing through the plurality of discharge ports.   
     
     
         18 . The heat dissipation assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the flow restricting member is a spring element extending around the distribution conduit or a woven fabric or a screen mesh positioned over the plurality of discharge ports. 
     
     
         19 . The heat dissipation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the distribution conduit extends around an entire circumference of a lower portion of the housing and a supply tube providing fluid communication between the hot oil collection point and the fluid inlet of the distribution conduit. 
     
     
         20 . The heat dissipation assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the compressor is a linear compressor.