Electrically operated linear motor with integrated flexure spring and circuit for use in reciprocating compressor
First Claim
1. A reciprocating compressor adapted to be responsive to an electric current applied to a fixed terminal of the reciprocating compressor, comprising:
- a housing;
a reciprocating electric motor including components fixed within said housing and moveable components connected to reciprocate a moveable assembly coacting with at least one variable volume chamber formed within said housing to compress a working fluid supplied to said chamber;
a resilient spring connected between said housing and said moveable assembly to resiliently suspend and center said moveable assembly and said moveable components within said housing; and
,a flexible, electrically conductive printed circuit fixed to said resilient spring to supply the electric current applied to the fixed terminal to an electrical terminal of the electric motor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A reciprocating compressor includes an electric motor having fixed and moveable components within a housing for reciprocating a moveable assembly, to compress a working fluid within a variable volume compression chamber within the housing. An integrated flexure spring and circuit connected between the housing and the moveable assembly axially and radially centers the moveable assembly within the housing, and additionally, supplies an electric current to a moveable current coil of the electric motor associated with the moveable assembly. The moveable assembly is axially reciprocated against a restoring force of the integrated flexure spring and circuit responsive to an axial force exerted on the moveable assembly by the electric motor when the electric current is supplied to the moveable current coil via the integrated flexure spring and circuit.
141 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A reciprocating compressor adapted to be responsive to an electric current applied to a fixed terminal of the reciprocating compressor, comprising:
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a housing; a reciprocating electric motor including components fixed within said housing and moveable components connected to reciprocate a moveable assembly coacting with at least one variable volume chamber formed within said housing to compress a working fluid supplied to said chamber; a resilient spring connected between said housing and said moveable assembly to resiliently suspend and center said moveable assembly and said moveable components within said housing; and
,a flexible, electrically conductive printed circuit fixed to said resilient spring to supply the electric current applied to the fixed terminal to an electrical terminal of the electric motor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a reciprocating compressor for compressing a working fluid, the reciprocating compressor including a housing and a moveable assembly reciprocated with an electric motor disposed in said housing, comprising the steps of:
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positioning and centering said moveable assembly radially within said housing with a resilient spring; and supplying an electric current to said electric motor through a flexible, electrically conductive printed circuit fixed to said resilient spring. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An integrated flexure spring and circuit for use in a reciprocating compressor, comprising:
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a substantially planar, resilient flexure spring having an outer rim, an inner hub and a resilient support member coupled between said outer rim and said inner hub; and a flexible, electrically conductive printed circuit fixed to said flexure spring. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification