Abstract: A coupling is designed for sealingly connecting two fluid conduits such as automotive fluid lines in axial end-to-end relationship. The conduits have respective telescopically interengaging male and female end sections and the coupling comprises a base member to be carried on one of the fluid conduits and a retaining structure mounted on the base member and having two C-shaped arms which can be interconnected around the other conduit end section. A releasable lock acts between the arms to lock the retaining structure in engagement. In the locked condition the axially oriented abutment surfaces in the retaining structure engage peripheral shoulders on the conduits to prevent axial separation of the latter. The coupling can be fabricated from integral plastic components and preferably includes a guard arrangement to shield the releasable lock against inadvertent disengagement.

Abstract: A coupling is designed for sealingly connecting two fluid conduits such as automotive fluid lines in axial end-to-end relationship. The conduits have respective telescopically interengaging male and female end sections and the coupling comprises a base member to be carried on one of the fluid conduits and a retaining structure mounted on the base member and having two C-shaped arms which can be interconnected around the other conduit end section. A releasable lock acts between the arms to lock the retaining structure in engagement. In the locked condition the axially oriented abutment surfaces in the retaining structure engage peripheral shoulders on the conduits to prevent axial separation of the latter. The coupling can be fabricated from integral plastic components and preferably includes a guard arrangement to shield the releasable lock against inadvertent disengagement.

Abstract: A tube-to-tube heat exchanger for use in an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle has a unitary tube, which is internally longitudinally divided into a first passage and a second passage by a heat conductive primary web. One warm fluid line is directly connected to each end of the first passage, without the need for a separate connector. One cold fluid return line is directly connected to each end of the second passage, without the need for a separate connector. The fluid lines are connected to the heat exchanger by brazing. In one embodiment, the web is substantially planar and the cross-section of each of the first passage and the second passage is substantially D-shaped. The heat exchanger may further include a support web, extending perpendicularly from approximately mid-way along the primary web. In another embodiment, the cross-sections of the first and second passages may be substantially circular, with the primary web being shaped accordingly.