Symmetric floating coil compressor

Abstract

A floating coil configuration for a compressor of a closed cycle cryogenic cooler, the coil configuration comprises a coil having a positive end and a negative end and first and second springs concentrically located within the coil, each spring having a first end and a second end. The positive end of the coil is coupled to the first end of the first spring and the negative end of the coil is coupled to the second end of the second spring. The second end of the first spring is electrically coupled to the first end of the second spring such that the first and second springs define an electrical path across the coil.

Claims

1. A first floating coil configuration for a compressor of a closed cycle cryogenic cooler, the first floating coil configuration comprising: a. a coil having a first positive end and a second negative end; b. first and second springs arranged in collinear alignment with said first spring concentrically located within and spaced radially inwardly of said coil, said first spring having a seat end attached to a first spring seat and a retainer end attached to a first spring retainer, said second spring having a seat end attached to a second spring seat and a flange end attached to a flange, said first spring seat and said second spring seat being electrically connected to each other; wherein the positive end of the coil is coupled to the seat end of the second spring and the negative end of the coil is coupled to the first spring seat; c. an electrical coupling; d. an upper mounting conduit extending between said electrical coupling and said flange of said second spring, said upper mounting conduit configured to enable axial movement of said second spring; and e) a lower mounting conduit extending between said electrical coupling and said retainer of said first spring, said lower mounting conduit configured to enable axial movement of said first spring, wherein said upper and lower mounting conduits support said second and first springs, respectively, in said collinear alignment, wherein upon connecting said electrical coupling to an electrical power source, electrical current will flow from said electrical coupling through said upper mounting conduit and into said second spring via said flange, said electrical current then flowing into said coil first positive end and said second spring seat end, electrical current then flowing from said coil second negative end and into said first spring through said first spring seat, the current returning to said coupling via said first spring retainer and said lower mounting conduit.

2. The coil configuration of claim 1 wherein the coil is configured to freely rotate when energized by the compressor.

3. The coil configuration of claim 1 wherein each of the coil, the first spring and the second spring is fabricated from a conductive material.

4. The first floating coil configuration of claim 1, and further comprising a second floating coil configuration comprising a mirror image of said first floating coil configuration, said first and second floating coil configurations arranged in axial alignment and separated by a coil gap wherein said first springs of each said first and second floating coil configurations may axially translate in reciprocating manner.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a prior art floating coil configuration;

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a prior art symmetric coil configuration; and

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a floating coil configuration in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a coil system for a CCCC (not shown) is generally indicated by reference number 22. System 22 includes a first floating coil configuration 24 and a second floating coil configuration 26 which are oriented in an axially symmetric manner. That is, each coil configuration 24, 26 is a mirror image of the other and both are separated from each other by a centrally located coil gap 28.

(5) Specifically, each respective coil configuration 24, 26 includes a floating coil 29 (e.g., motor coil) that incorporates a first spring 30 and second spring 32, at least a portion of which is concentrically situated within the confines of coil 29. Coil 29 is also axially positioned between a retainer 34 mounted to retainer end 35 of first spring 30 and a flange 36 mounted to flange end 37 of second spring 32. A second end 38 of coil 29 (i.e., a negative end) may be coupled to first spring seat 40 against which is seated seat end 33 of first spring 30. A first end 42 of coil 29 (i.e., a positive end) may be coupled to a second spring seat 44, against which is seated seat end 39 of second spring 32.

(6) In an aspect of the present invention, coil 29, first spring 30, and/or second spring 32 may be manufactured from an electrically conductive material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel. It will therefore be appreciated that the electrical connectivity between coil 29 and first and second springs 30, 32 defines a continuous and flexible, electrical connection from retainer 34 to flange 36.

(7) Retainer 34 may be coupled to an electrically conductive lower mounting conduit 46, such as by way of bushing 47. Flange 36 may be coupled to an electrically conductive upper mounting conduit 48. Mounting conduits 46, 48 may provide a translational support which allows both springs 30, 32 to float concentrically within corresponding coil 29. Lower mounting conduit 46 may also provide support to allow coil 29 to have a floating configuration.

(8) Lower mounting conduit 46 may be coupled to base 49 of electrical coupling 50 while upper mounting conduit 48 may be coupled to coupling 50 between base 49 and top end 51. Positive and negative termini 52, 53, respectively, may protrude from top end 51 of coupling 50 thereby enabling coil system 22 to be releasably connected to a power source (not shown) where coil 29 will act as a load when coupling 50 is connected to the power source. Thus, when energized, electrical current will flow from coupling 50, through upper mounting conduit 48 and into second spring 32 via flange 36. The electrical current will then flow into positive end of coil 29 via first end 42 and second spring seat 44. Once expended by coil 29, current will then flow from negative end 38 of coil 29 and into first spring 30 through first spring seat 40. The current will ultimately return to coupling 50 via retainer 34 and lower mounting conduit 46 and 47. Electrical current may thus flow into one axial side of the coil configuration 24/26 and out the opposite, eliminating the need for a clocking guide to keep the coil seats (not shown) aligned.

(9) Moreover, when energized, springs 30, 32 of coil configurations 24, 26 may act in concert with each other by moving back and forth axially (i.e., towards and away from coil gap 28) as well as in a reciprocal manner to the simultaneous movement of the springs of the opposing configuration. A piston (not shown) may also be connected to coil 29 to move axially with springs 30, 32 (i.e., towards and away from coil gap 28). As can be appreciated by the above discussion, coil 29 may be free to rotate and self-align without the risk of conductor damage or electrical current disconnection while energized.

(10) The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor is it intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments may be modified in light of the above teachings. The embodiments described are chosen to provide an illustration of principles of the invention and its practical application to enable thereby one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, the foregoing description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that described in the following claims.