| Vapor compression system including a swiveling compressor -> Monitor Keywords |
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Vapor compression system including a swiveling compressorRelated Patent Categories: Pumps, Successive Stages, Fluid Motor For One Stage Supplied From Another StageVapor compression system including a swiveling compressor description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060083627, Vapor compression system including a swiveling compressor. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to vapor compression apparatus and, more particularly, to vapor compression apparatus that may be used in refrigeration systems. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Vapor compression apparatus are used in a variety of applications including heat pump, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems. Such systems may include either rotary compressors or linear compressors. In a rotary compressor, refrigerant may be compressed in a chamber defined between a fixed outer housing and a rotating inner core. In a linear compressor, refrigerant may be compressed in a cylinder that slidingly receives a piston that reciprocates with a linear motion in and out of the cylinder. [0005] One problem with linear compressors is that it may be difficult to control the position of the moving part, e.g., the piston, which may result in the piston hitting a stationary part, e.g., hitting the bottom of the cylinder at the bottom dead center of the piston stroke. Such collisions may result in damage to the piston, the cylinder, and/or the rod that drives the piston. It is known to provide a linear compressor with a stopper in order to prevent the piston from hitting a stationary part. The stopper may be in the form of a spring in the piston cup or electronics for sensing the position of the piston and controlling the movement of the piston, for example. A stopper adds to the cost and complexity of the compression system, however. [0006] Another problem with linear compressors is that reducing the cooling capacity may result in lower efficiency. For example, the cooling capacity may be reduced by shortening the stroke of the piston. When the stroke is shortened, the piston still reaches the outermost position of the stator. Thus, in order to shorten the stroke, one must eliminate a portion of the stroke in which the piston is near the middle of the motor and in which the motor is most efficient. p Yet another problem with linear compressors is that a pivoting joint that may be provided between the piston and a rod that drives the piston is subject to high levels of stress and is thus susceptible to failure. More particularly, one end of the rod may be rotated by a rotary motor, while the opposite end of the rod is pivotably attached to the piston. Operation of the rotary motor results in the piston being reciprocated, i.e., moved linearly, in and out of the cylinder. The forces required to both push the piston into the cylinder and pull the piston out of the cylinder are transferred from the rod to the piston via the pivoting joint. In some applications, such as when carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant, the piston diameter tends to be small. Thus, the pivoting joint between the rod and the piston must be correspondingly small. A small pivoting joint is even less able to withstand the stresses that are imposed upon the joint during operation. [0007] A further problem particular to the pivoting joint between the piston and the rod is that the mass of the pivoting joint adds to the reciprocating motion inertia of the oscillating piston. Thus, the added mass of the pivoting joint adds to the stresses placed on the motor, on the rod, and on any other linking elements associated therewith. [0008] A still further problem particular to the pivoting joint between the piston and the rod is that the pivoting joint is difficult for maintenance personnel to access. That is, the position of the pivoting joint between the rod and the piston may be such that it is difficult for maintenance personnel to lubricate or replace the pivoting joint. [0009] What is needed in the art is a linear compressor system that overcomes the problems of known linear compressors. More particularly, what is needed is a linear compressor system that does not require expensive components to prevent the moving parts from hitting the stationary parts, that can operate at high efficiency when capacity has been reduced, and that is not subject to the problems associated with pivoting joints between rods and pistons. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention provides a linear vapor compression system that may include a compressor that is pivotable relative to a fixed structure. A connecting arm that drives the piston of the compressor may be pivotably connected to a cyclically movable element that drives the connecting arm. The connecting arm may follow the cyclical movement to thereby reciprocate the piston in a cylinder of the compressor while causing the compressor to pivot relative to the fixed structure. [0011] The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a refrigeration system including a fluid circuit circulating a refrigerant in a closed loop. The fluid circuit has operably disposed therein, in serial order, a compressor, a first heat exchanger, an expansion device and a second heat exchanger. The compressor is pivotable about an axis. The compressor has a first part and a second part slidably coupled to the first part. A linkage includes a cyclically movable element. A linking element is attached to the second part of the compressor and is pivotably coupled to the cyclically movable element such that the linking element follows movement of the cyclically movable element to thereby slide the second part of the compressor relative to the first part of the compressor and pivot the compressor about the axis. [0012] The present invention comprises, in another form thereof, a vapor compression apparatus including a compressor having a first part and a second part slidably coupled to the first part. The compressor is pivotable about an axis. A linkage includes a cyclically movable element. A linking element is attached to the second part of the compressor and is pivotably coupled to the cyclically movable element such that the linking element follows movement of the cyclically movable element to thereby slide the second part of the compressor relative to the first part of the compressor and pivot the compressor about the axis. A motor is drivingly coupled to the cyclically movable element. [0013] The present invention comprises, in yet another form thereof, a vapor compression apparatus including a plurality of compressors. Each of the compressors has a respective piston slidably coupled to a respective cylinder. Each of the compressors is pivotable about a respective swivel axis. A linkage includes a rod defining a longitudinal axis. Each of a plurality of connecting arms is attached to a respective one of the pistons and is pivotably coupled to the rod such that each of the connecting arms follows movement of the rod along the longitudinal axis to thereby slide each respective piston relative to each respective cylinder and pivot each respective compressor about each respective swivel axis. [0014] An advantage of the present invention is that expensive components are not required to prevent the moving parts of the compressor from hitting the stationary parts. [0015] Another advantage is that the compressor can operate at high efficiency even when the capacity of the compressor has been reduced. [0016] Yet another advantage is that a pivoting joint between the rod and the piston is not required. Rather, a pivoting joint is provided between the cylinder and a fixed structure. Such a pivoting joint between the cylinder and a fixed structure is not reciprocated along with the piston, and is not subject to the forces required to push the piston into the cylinder and pull the piston out of the cylinder. Further, the pivoting joint does not add to the reciprocating motion inertia of the oscillating piston, and thus does not add to the stresses placed on the motor, on the rod, and on any other linking elements associated therewith. Moreover, since the pivoting joint is not disposed on the piston, the size of the joint is not limited, and the joint can be provided with a more sturdy construction. Yet another advantage of the pivoting joint is that it is relatively easy for maintenance personnel to access. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a refrigeration system of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 2a is a schematic side view of one embodiment of the vapor compression apparatus of the refrigeration system of FIG. 1 in a first position; [0020] FIG. 2b is a schematic side view of the vapor compression apparatus of FIG. 2a in a second position; [0021] FIG. 2c is a schematic side view of the vapor compression apparatus of FIG. 2a in a third position; Continue reading about Vapor compression system including a swiveling compressor... 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