Method for operating a linear compressor

A method for operating a linear compressor, comprising:

• step for calculating a first observed velocity for a piston of the linear compressor using at least an electrical dynamic model for a motor of the linear compressor and a robust integral of the sign of the error feedback;
• substituting the first observed velocity, a bounded integral of the first observed velocity, an estimated clearance, an estimated discharge pressure, and an estimated suction pressure into a mechanical dynamic model for the motor;
• step for calculating an observed acceleration for the piston with the mechanical dynamic model for the motor;
• calculating a second observed velocity for the piston by integrating the observed acceleration for the piston;
• calculating an observed position of the piston by integrating the second observed velocity for the piston;
• determining an error between the first and second observed velocities and an error between the bounded integral of the first observed velocity and the observed position;
• and
• updating the estimated clearance, the estimated discharge pressure, and the estimated suction pressure based upon the error between the first and second observed velocities and the error between the bounded integral of the first observed velocity and the observed position.

A method for operating a linear compressor, comprising:

• step for calculating a first observed velocity for a piston of the linear compressor using at least an electrical dynamic model for a motor of the linear compressor and a robust integral of the sign of the error feedback;
• substituting the first observed velocity, a bounded integral of the first observed velocity, an estimated clearance, an estimated discharge pressure, and an estimated suction pressure into the mechanical dynamic model for the motor;
• step for calculating an observed acceleration for the piston with the mechanical dynamic model for the motor;
• step for calculating a second observed velocity for the piston;
• step for calculating an observed position of the piston;
• step for determining an error between the first and second observed velocities and an error between the bounded integral of the first observed velocity and the observed position;
• and
• step for updating the estimated clearance, the estimated discharge pressure, and the estimated suction pressure based upon the error between the first and second observed velocities and the error between the bounded integral of the first observed velocity and the observed position.