Patents Assigned to TI Group Automotive System, LLC
  • Patent number: 6370775
    Abstract: A method of making an evaporator and the resultant evaporator. The resultant evaporator comprises a continuous serpentine tube having an inlet and an outlet. The serpentine tube includes at least one column of parallel tube runs. Each tube run is defined by at least one reverse bend. The column of parallel tube runs has an overall length defined by the distance between the outermost tube runs. The evaporator further comprises a plurality of inner fins attached to the individual tubes. Each inner fin extends between two tube runs defined by opposite ends of a reverse bend. The inner fins have a length less than the overall length the column of tube runs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Scot Reagen, Jeff Sensmeier
  • Patent number: 6367850
    Abstract: A fitting assembly for fluid and vapor connection comprising a first tube, a second tube and a ring. The first tube has a male member at the end of the first tube and a radially enlarged upset formed at a distance from the end of the first tube. The second tube has a hollow female body formed at the end of the second tube. The male member is received in the female body. The ring surrounds the female body. The ring has an axial bore with an innermost diameter smaller than the outermost diameter of the female body for deforming the female body radially inward. The innermost diameter of the axial bore is smaller than at least a portion of the upset of the first tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Charles D. Thrift, Darren Meacham
  • Patent number: 6343814
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for providing a fluid connection comprising a female connector, a tube, a retainer and a cap. The female connector defines a bore. The bore extends axially inwardly into the connector from an entrance. An annular face is defined in the bore axially inwardly of the entrance. The tube is received within the bore. The tube has an enlarged upset. The retainer is disposed in the bore. The retainer has a member directly contacting the upset and extends to the annular face to retain the tube in the bore. The cap is slidably mounted on the tube and is attached to the female connector. The cap has a protrusion directly contacting the upset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: TI Group Automotive Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Bucher, Bruce McLauchlan