Two-Stage linear compressor

• Main Author: SHAPIRO, DORON
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 15.11.2006
• Subjects: BLASTING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS; REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; WEAPONS

A refrigeration system includes a dual-piston linear compressor (14) including a first piston (78) disposed in a first cylinder (66) and a second piston (102) opposed to the first piston and disposed in a second cylinder (70). The first piston divides the first cylinder into a first suction chamber (82) and a first discharge chamber (86) and the second piston divides the second cylinder into a second suction chamber (106) and a second discharge chamber (110). The refrigeration system also includes a first gas flow path through the linear compressor, a second gas flow path through the linear compressor, and a controller (34) operable to switch the linear compressor between an economizer cycle (16) and a single stage cycle (98) wherein in the economizer cycle flow of gas is along the first gas flow path and in the single stage cycle flow of gas is along the second gas flow path. At least one discharge control valve (118A) coupled to the controller and responsive to control signals from the controller is operable to direct gas from the first and second discharge chambers to the first gas flow path or the second gas flow path. At least one suction control valve (118B) coupled to the controller and responsive to control signals from the controller is operable to direct gas to the first and second suction chambers along the first gas flow path or the second gas flow path.