A sensor system for monitoring a condition of a piston rod includes an interrogator system having a first coil winding coupled to a housing and radially spaced from the piston rod such that a gap is defined between the first coil winding and the piston rod. A second coil winding is coupled to the piston rod and is inductively coupled to the first coil winding. The second coil winding is configured to communicate with the first coil winding through a range of linear movement of the piston rod relative to the housing. A sensor is coupled to the second coil winding. The sensor is configured to measure a characteristic associated with the piston rod and generate a current in the second coil winding to transmit, via the inductive coupling with the first coil winding, an electrical output signal associated with the characteristic to the interrogator system.

A linear compressor and methods of operation, for example, to control a setpoint and vary cooling capacity of the linear compressor, are provided herein. An appliance may include a linear compressor having a reciprocating piston movable in a negative axial direction toward a chamber and positive axial direction away from the chamber. The appliance may further include a motor operatively coupled to the reciprocating piston, the motor having a resting setpoint, an inverter configured to supply a variable frequency waveform to the motor, and a controller configured to control the variable frequency waveform. The controller may be configured to direct a positive DC voltage to the motor to shift the resting setpoint to increase a cooling capacity of the linear compressor.

The present invention relates to a linear compressor. The linear compressor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spring axially elastically supporting a driving assembly. The spring includes a spring body axially extending, a front spring link forming an end of the spring body by extending from a side of the spring body, and a rear spring link forming the other end of the spring body by extending from the other side of the spring body. Any one of the front spring link and the rear spring link is fixed to the driving assembly and the other one is fixed to a supporting assembly.

The present invention relates to a linear compressor. The linear compressor according to an aspect of the present invention includes a spring axially elastically supporting a driving assembly. The spring includes a spring body axially extending, a front spring link forming an end of the spring body by extending from a side of the spring body, and a rear spring link forming the other end of the spring body by extending from the other side of the spring body. Any one of the front spring link and the rear spring link is fixed to the driving assembly and the other one is fixed to a supporting assembly.

A pumping assembly includes a flexible tube extending along a longitudinal axis. The flexible tube defines an internal cavity extending along the longitudinal axis. The internal cavity is configured to contain a fluid disposed therein, wherein the fluid is a liquid and/or a gas. A plurality of ferromagnetic or magnetic particles are disposed within at least a portion of a thickness of the flexible tube. The plurality of ferromagnetic or magnetic particles are also disposed extending along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of electromagnets are placed in series adjacent to one another. The flexible tube is disposed adjacent to the plurality of electromagnets. A controller is configured to selectively magnetize at least one electromagnet from the plurality of electromagnets in a progression along the plurality of electromagnets, thereby compressing the tubing in a progression being a pumping action. A power source is electrically connected to the controller.

An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and an actuating motor. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The actuating motor is mounted on an attachment plate that is attached to the upper base portion. The actuating motor is connected to a worm screw that engages an arcuate member attached to the lower portion to pivot about the hinge and change the angle between the upper and lower base portions.

An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and an actuating motor. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The actuating motor is mounted on an attachment plate that is attached to the upper base portion. The actuating motor is connected to a gear wheel that engages an arcuate member attached to the lower portion to pivot about the hinge and change the angle between the upper and lower base portions.

A control unit for a solenoid pump, the solenoid pump including: an inlet port, an outlet port, and a first through-bore connecting the inlet and outlet ports; a plunger disposed within the first through-bore and including a second through-bore; a spring arranged to urge the plunger toward the outlet port; a solenoid coil disposed about a portion of the plunger and arranged to displace the plunger toward the inlet port in response to direct current coil power applied to the solenoid coil, the control unit including a microcontroller operatively arranged to control the solenoid coil, a first transistor operatively arranged to receive an external signal and communicate the signal to the microcontroller to control the solenoid coil, and a second transistor, arranged between the microcontroller and the solenoid coil, the second transistor operatively arranged to energize and de-energize the solenoid coil in response to the microcontroller.

An electronic angle adjustment mechanism for a pump and a motor generally includes a base and a linear actuator. The base has an upper portion mounted to a motor, a lower portion mounted to a pump, and a hinge for pivotably moving the upper base portion in relation to the lower base portion. The linear actuator is mounted to on an attachment plate that also attaches the motor to the upper base portion. The linear actuator can drive a flexible member or connect to a gear wheel or worm screw to pivot about the hinge and change an angle between the upper and lower base portions.

A linear motor includes a piston cylinder having a first diameter and extending along a first cylindrical axis. The piston cylinder includes a first side wall. A piston is disposed within the piston cylinder and the piston is movable along the first cylindrical axis within the piston cylinder. The linear motor includes a bearing cylinder having a second diameter and extending along a second cylindrical axis. The bearing cylinder includes a second side wall. A bearing is disposed within the bearing cylinder, and the bearing is movable along the second cylindrical axis within the piston cylinder. A linkage mechanically couples the piston to the bearing. A motor stator generates an electromagnetic field. A ferromagnetic feature interacts with the electromagnetic field generated by the motor stator to impart linear force on the piston. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter.