Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the flow of refrigerant and coolant through an HVAC system is provided. The valve assembly includes a refrigerant housing defining a refrigerant conduit with a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet. A refrigerant valve is disposed within the refrigerant conduit for controlling the flow of refrigerant between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet. The assembly also includes a coolant housing defining a coolant conduit with a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. A coolant valve is disposed within the coolant conduit for controlling the flow of coolant between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet. An actuator assembly is coupled to the refrigerant and the coolant valves for simultaneously actuating the valves.

Abstract: A refrigerant filter (40) designed for installation into a block fitting (10) of the type that detachably connects refrigerant lines (12,14) to an evaporator. The filter (40) includes a cylindrical mesh screen (42) and a supporting frame (44) that fits into the open end (30) of the liquid refrigerant supply (14) line before the supply line (14) is connected by the fitting (10) to the evaporator lines (16,18). The filter supporting frame (44) has an end plug (48) that fits closely into the line (14), assuring and all refrigerant flow is forced through the screen (42), without by passing the filter (40). The plug (48) also has a stop member (50) that both assures that the filter (40) is not over inserted at installation, and that the plug (48) is not ejected from the line (14) during operation.

Abstract: A combined compressor pressure sensor and excess pressure relief valve (12) uses a formed disk (22) that snaps down and back up at a pair of predetermined pressures. The disk (22), when it snaps down, opens a plug (34) to in turn allow excess pressure from the compressor (10) to escape. When up, the plug (34) remains sealed, the outside vents (42) remain blocked, and compressor gas flow only through the center of the plug (34) and disk (22) to a sensing chamber (46).

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system orifice tube type refrigerant expansion valve is axially symmetrical, so as to be error proof at installation, and/or so as to operate in a bi directional refrigerant flow. A pair of coaxial screens surrounding each end of the orifice tube, an inner noise attenuation screen of finer mesh, and an outer particulate screen of coarser mesh, provide upstream particulate exclusion and downstream noise attenuation without the potential for reverse installation. In addition, by pass ports allow for a by pass flow should the downstream inner screen become plugged.