Linear compressor and sealed system for an appliance

Abstract

A sealed system, as provided herein, may include a linear compressor, a shell, and a condenser. The linear compressor may include a casing and a piston. The casing may extend along an axial direction from a first end portion to a second end portion. The casing may include a cylinder assembly defining a chamber proximal to the second end portion. The piston may be slidably received within the chamber of the cylinder assembly. The shell may define an internal volume enclosing the linear compressor and lubrication oil therein. The condenser may be in downstream fluid communication with the linear compressor to receive a compressed refrigerant therefrom.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present subject matter relates generally to compressor for an appliance, such as a refrigerator appliance.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Certain refrigerator appliances include sealed systems for cooling chilled chambers of the refrigerator appliance. The sealed systems generally include a compressor that generates compressed refrigerant during operation of the sealed system. The compressed refrigerant flows to an evaporator where heat exchange between the chilled chambers and the refrigerant cools the chilled chambers and food items located therein.[0003]Recently, certain refrigerator appliances have included linear compressors for compressing refrigerant. Linear compressors generally include a piston and a driving coil. The driving coil generates a force for sliding the piston forward and backward within a chamber. During motion of the piston within the chamber, the piston compresses refrigerant. However, friction between the piston and a wall of ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a sealed system that includes a linear compressor, a shell, a condenser, an oil outlet conduit, and a heat exchanger. The system has various features such as an oil reservoir, an oil exhaust, a gas vent, and an oil shield to direct lubrication oil. The technical effects of this invention include improved efficiency, reduced noise, and improved stability of the lubrication oil.

Problems solved by technology

However, friction between the piston and a wall of the chamber can negatively affect operation of the linear compressors if the piston is not suitably aligned within the chamber.

In particular, friction losses due to rubbing of the piston against the wall of the chamber can negatively affect an efficiency of an associated refrigerator appliance.

Such friction can also reduce heat lubrication oil between the piston and the wall of the chamber and thereby reduce an effectiveness of the lubrication oil.

Along with friction concerns generally, linear compressors may have concerns caused by the mixing of refrigerant with lubrication oil.

Specifically, outgassing of oil during operation of the compressor can lead to a lack of lubrication condition on the piston of the compressor, causing damage over time and higher friction levels.

In a linear compressor, no such rotating oil pump exists, thus it can be especially difficult to remove refrigerant vapor from the oil as it is being pumped and delivered to surfaces needing lubricant (i.e., the piston sliding in the cylinder).

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