Abstract: The present subject matter provides a linear compressor. The linear compressor includes a coupling that extends between an inner back iron assembly and a piston. The coupling includes a shaft and a ball seat mounted to the shaft at an end portion of the shaft. A ball is positioned on the ball seat at a seating surface of the ball seat. A ball shoe is positioned opposite the ball seat about the ball, and the ball is positioned on the seating surface of the ball shoe. A spring urges the ball shoe against the ball.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a linear compressor. The linear compressor includes a coupling having a ball seat that is press-fit on a post of a piston. A shaft defines a chamber at an end of the shaft. A pin is press-fit to the shaft at the chamber of the shaft. A ball is positioned on the seating surface of the ball seat. The pin extends through the ball. A ball shoe is positioned opposite the ball seat about the ball. The ball shoe defines a seating surface. The ball is positioned on the seating surface of the ball shoe. A spring urges the ball shoe against the ball.

Abstract: A discharge valve assembly includes an outer shell. An inner sleeve is positioned within the outer shell. A side wall of the inner sleeve is spaced from a side wall of the outer shell along a radial direction. A distal end of the side wall of the inner sleeve is spaced from an end wall of the outer shell by a gap along an axial direction. The inner sleeve divides an interior volume of the outer shell into a first muffler cavity and a second muffler cavity. A related compressor is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes establishing a set of predictors, and establishing a model for an estimated head clearance of the linear compressor with the set of predictors. Coefficients of the model for the estimated head clearance of the linear compressor may also be established. The model for the estimated head clearance of the linear compressor may be used to calculate an estimated head clearance during operation of the linear compressor.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a coupling having a ball seat that is press-fit on a post of a piston. A shaft defines a chamber at an end of the shaft. A pin is press-fit to the shaft at the chamber of the shaft. A ball is positioned on the seating surface of the ball seat. The pin extends through the ball. A ball shoe is positioned opposite the ball seat about the ball. The ball shoe defines a seating surface. The ball is positioned on the seating surface of the ball shoe. A spring urges the ball shoe against the ball.

Abstract: A compressor includes a discharge valve with a first valve head and a second valve head. The first valve head defines a passage that extends through the first valve head along an axial direction. A first spring is coupled to the first valve head. A second valve head is positioned at the passage of the first valve head. A second spring urges the second valve head towards the first valve head.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes measuring a current induced in a motor of the linear compressor and calculating an observed current of the motor of the linear compressor using at least an electrical dynamic model for the linear compressor and a robust integral of the sign of the error feedback. The method also includes detecting a head crash within the linear compressor if an error between the observed current of the motor of the linear compressor and the measured current induced in the motor of the linear compressor is greater than a crash threshold.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a piston slidably received within a chamber of a cylinder assembly and a mover positioned in a driving coil. The linear compressor also includes features for coupling the piston to the mover such that motion of the mover is transferred to the piston during operation of the driving coil and for reducing friction between the piston and the cylinder during motion of the piston within the chamber of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a linear compressor. The linear compressor includes a coupling that extends between an inner back iron assembly and a piston. The coupling includes a shaft and a ball seat mounted to the shaft at an end portion of the shaft. A ball is positioned on the ball seat at a seating surface of the ball seat. A ball shoe is positioned opposite the ball seat about the ball, and the ball is positioned on the seating surface of the ball shoe. A spring urges the ball shoe against the ball.

Abstract: A sealed system for an appliance includes a compressor having a shell and lubrication oil disposed with the shell. A condenser in fluid communication with the compressor such that compressed refrigerant from the compressor flows to the condenser during operation of the compressor. The sealed system also includes a heat exchanger for cooling the lubrication oil during operation of the compressor.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a spring assembly. An inner back iron assembly is fixed to the spring assembly at a middle portion of the spring assembly. A driving coil is operable to move the inner back iron assembly in order to reciprocate a piston within a chamber of a cylinder assembly. A related spring assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes providing a current controller, a resonance controller and a clearance controller. The current controller, the resonance controller and the clearance controller are configured for regulating operating parameters of a motor of the linear compressor. By managing priority between the current controller, the resonance controller and the clearance controller, the method may assist with efficiently operating the linear compressor while also maintaining stability.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor includes measuring a current induced in a motor of the linear compressor and calculating an observed current of the motor of the linear compressor using at least an electrical dynamic model for the linear compressor and a robust integral of the sign of the error feedback. The method also includes detecting a head crash within the linear compressor if an error between the observed current of the motor of the linear compressor and the measured current induced in the motor of the linear compressor is greater than a crash threshold.

Abstract: A linear compressor includes an inner back iron positioned in a driving coil. A flex mount is positioned within the inner back iron and is coupled to the inner back iron. A coupling extends between the flex mount and a piston, and a compliant bellows is coupled to the flex mount and the piston.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a pair of planar spring assemblies mounted to an inner back iron assembly at opposite sides of the inner back iron assembly. A magnet is mounted to the inner back iron assembly at an outer surface of the back iron assembly.

Abstract: A linear compressor and a method for operating a linear compressor are provided. The linear compressor includes a casing and a machined spring. An inner back iron assembly is fixed to the machined spring at a middle portion of the machined spring. The linear compressor also includes features for adjusting a length of the machined spring.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a casing and a machined spring. An inner back iron assembly is fixed to the machined spring at a middle portion of the machined spring. A driving coil is operable to move the inner back iron assembly in order to reciprocate a piston within a chamber of a cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a piston slidably received within a chamber of a cylinder assembly. A machined spring of the linear compressor extends between an inner back iron assembly of the linear compressor and the cylinder assembly in order to couple the inner back iron assembly to the cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A linear compressor is provided. The linear compressor includes a machined spring. An inner back iron assembly is fixed to the machined spring at a middle portion of the machined spring. A driving coil is operable to move the inner back iron assembly in order to reciprocate a piston within a chamber of a cylinder assembly.

Abstract: A method for operating a linear compressor is provided. The method includes supplying a motor of the linear compressor with a time varying voltage and estimating a back-EMF of the motor of the linear compressor. The method also includes determining a velocity of the motor of the linear compressor based at least in part on the back-EMF of the motor and calculating a stroke length of the motor of the linear compressor based at least in part on the velocity of the motor.