Patent ID: 7748967

Claim:
A linear compressor comprising: a piston reciprocally movable within a cylinder, the piston being internally formed with a suction path; a suction valve to perform opening/closing operations, to allow the suction path of the piston to be selectively connected to the interior of the cylinder; and a suction valve stopper to limit the degree of opening of the suction valve, wherein the suction valve is deformable such that an upper surface of the suction valve engages a lower surface of the suction valve stopper when the suction valve is opened, wherein the lower surface of the suction valve stopper, which acts to limit the degree of opening of the suction valve, has a curved surface to come into surface contact with the suction valve, wherein the suction valve stopper has a flat upper surface opposite the lower surface, wherein the suction valve stopper is coupled to the piston, the suction valve stopper comprising a disk having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the piston, and wherein a circumferential edge of the disk is partially cut away to form a passage for a working fluid.