Abstract: A hose coupling assembly is provided for use with an ultra low permeable hose. The coupling utilizes multiple sealing techniques to ensure that no refrigerant escapes from the end of the hose. The techniques are mechanical crimping utilizing a shell with barbs, a chemical sealant on the cut end of the hose and between the hose and the shell, annular seals on the nipple portion of the coupling, and an annular weld or braze of the shell to the coupling body.

Abstract: A hose coupling assembly is provided for use with an ultra low permeable hose. The coupling utilizes multiple sealing techniques to ensure that no refrigerant escapes from the end of the hose. The techniques are mechanical crimping utilizing a shell with barbs, a chemical sealant on the cut end of the hose and between the hose and the shell, annular seals on the nipple portion of the coupling, and an annular weld or braze of the shell to the coupling body.

Abstract: Thermostatic expansion valve for a vehicle air-conditioning system including a housing and a power element supported by the housing. The power element includes a diaphragm, and a pressure pad disposed against the diaphragm. The pressure pad may be formed in one piece from copper, a copper alloy, or another material, which material may also be a blend, composite, mixture, or other combination, having a thermal conductivity of at least about 800 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (115 W/m-K), and preferably 1200 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (170 W/m-K), and more preferably at least about 2000 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (280 W/m-K), and a density of at least about 0.3 lb/in3 (8 g/cm3), and is connected via a stem to a valve element in the housing to control the refrigerant flow between the condensor and evaporator. The use of such material in the pressure pad reduces the susceptibility of the valve to external temperature changes and reduces the hunting of the valve.

Abstract: Thermostatic expansion valve for a vehicle air-conditioning system including a housing and a power element supported by the housing. The power element includes a diaphragm, and a pressure pad disposed against the diaphragm. The pressure pad may be formed in one piece from copper, a copper alloy, or another material, which material may also be a blend, composite, mixture, or other combination, having a thermal conductivity of at least about 800 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (115 W/m-K), and preferably 1200 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (170 W/m-K), and more preferably at least about 2000 BTU-in/hr-ft2-° F. (280 W/m-K), and a density of at least about 0.3 lb/in3 (8 g/cm3), and is connected via a stem to a valve element in the housing to control the refrigerant flow between the condensor and evaporator. The use of such material in the pressure pad reduces the susceptibility of the valve to external temperature changes and reduces the hunting of the valve.

Abstract: A receiver dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an open upper end. An inlet tube extends upwardly in the canister from an inlet port in the lower end wall. A desiccant tube assembly, comprising a pair of tubes, is received over the inlet tube, with the inlet tube being closely received in one of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. A lower baffle is formed unitary with the lower end of the desiccant tube assembly, and a lower filter pad is received over the desiccant tube assembly and against the lower baffle. Loose desiccant is then poured into the canister. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the desiccant tube assembly. A pick-up tube, secured to an upper end cap, is then closely received in the other of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. The upper end cap is then secured to the upper end of the canister.

Abstract: A receiver dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an open upper end. An inlet tube extends upwardly in the canister from an inlet port in the lower end wall. A desiccant tube assembly, comprising a pair of tubes, is received over the inlet tube, with the inlet tube being closely received in one of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. A lower baffle is formed unitary with the lower end of the desiccant tube assembly, and a lower filter pad is received over the desiccant tube assembly and against the lower baffle. Loose desiccant is then poured into the canister. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the desiccant tube assembly. A pick-up tube, secured to an upper end cap, is then closely received in the other of the tubes of the desiccant tube assembly. The upper end cap is then secured to the upper end of the canister.

Abstract: A filter dryer for an air-conditioning system, including an elongated housing enclosing loose molecular sieve material, first and second fluid ports into the housing, a filter basket assembly supported at one end of the housing and a screen and baffle assembly supported at the opposite end of the housing. The first filter basket assembly includes a first cup-shaped filter basket which opens away from the first port toward the molecular sieve material. The first filter basket is retained by an annular, U-shaped flange to the inner surface of the housing by press-fit. The screen and baffle assembly includes a second cup-shaped filter basket which also opens away from the first port. The second filter basket includes a radially-enlarged cylindrical screen portion toward the open end of the basket, a radially-reduced cylindrical screen portion toward the closed end of the screen, and an annular shoulder between the radially-enlarged and radially-reduced portions.

Abstract: A receiver/dryer includes a canister with a cylindrical sidewall, an integral lower end, and an open upper end. A pick-up tube is disposed centrally within the canister. The lower end of the pick-up tube has a wedged-shape and is supported by the lower end of the canister. The upper end of the pick-up tube has an annular groove that carries an O-ring seal. A lower baffle and lower filter pad are received over the pick-up tube with the lower baffle having a tight slip-fit therewith. Loose desiccant is supported by the lower baffle and filter pad. An upper filter pad and upper baffle are received over the pick-up tube, with the upper baffle having a slip-fit therewith. An upper end cap is secured to the open end of the canister, with the pick-up tube being received within an outlet passage in the upper end cap, and the O-ring seal providing a fluid-tight seal between the pick-up tube and the end cap.

Abstract: An accumulator for a refrigeration system includes a housing having a cylindrical sidewall, a lower end wall, and an upper end cap. Inlet and outlet passages are provided in the upper end cap for directing refrigerant into and out of the accumulator. A U-shaped return conduit is provided in the accumulator for directing vapor or gaseous refrigerant out of the accumulator. A baffle having a central circular opening is retained between a circular bead on the return conduit and the upper end cap. The circular bead surrounds the conduit toward the outlet end of the conduit. The return conduit is introduced through the central opening in the baffle until the bead contacts the inside surface of the baffle around the central opening. The outlet end of the return conduit is then introduced into the outlet passage in the upper end cap and secured therein such as by mechanically deforming (e.g., burnishing) the conduit outwardly against the inner wall of the passage.

Abstract: A receiver/dryer (10) includes a canister (12) with a cylindrical sidewall (13), an integral lower end (14), and an open upper end (16). A pick-up tube (18) is disposed centrally within the canister. According to one aspect, the lower end (19) of the pick-up tube has a wedged-shape and which is supported by the lower end of the canister. The upper end (20) of the pick-up tube has an annular groove (21) which carries an O-ring seal (22). A lower baffle (23) and lower filter pad (40) are received over the pick-up tube with the lower baffle having a tight slip-fit therewith; loose desiccant (24) is introduced into the canister and supported by the lower baffle and filter pad; and then an upper filter pad (50) and upper baffle (44) are received over the pick-up tube, with the upper baffle having a slip-fit therewith.

Abstract: An accumulating vessel for use in a refrigeration system wherein a partially vaporized refrigerant is circulated therethrough. The vessel is constructed as a generally cylindrical housing having first and second end portions, and a body portion with a generally continuous circumferential inner surface, the portions together defining an internal chamber. An inlet tube opens into fluid communication with the internal chamber at a first location defining an inlet port, with an outlet tube opening into fluid communication with the internal chamber at a second location defining an outlet port. A baffle is received within the chamber intermediate the inlet and outlet ports for deflecting refrigerant from the inlet port over the outlet port.

Abstract: A coupling for unflared tubes comprising a body with a nut threadably connected thereto so as to form a chamber therebetween, a deformable gripping and sealing sleeve in the chamber and being undeformed when the nut and body are partially threaded together so that an unflared tube may be inserted into the nut, body and sleeve to a position where it may be gripped and sealed by the sleeve upon deformation of the latter by further threading of the nut upon the body. The nut has mounted therein a ring of flexible spring metal slotted so as to form fingers whose radially inner ends are initially on a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the tube and bendable by insertion of the tube therethrough while the sleeve is undeformed so as to grip the tube by spring action to prevent withdrawal of the tube, as by gravity, and thus to hold the same in its proper position for being gripped by the deformable sleeve upon final tightening of the nut upon the body.

Abstract: A coupling for unflared tubes comprising a body with a nut threadably connected thereto so as to form a chamber therebetween, a deformable gripping and sealing sleeve in the chamber and being undeformed when the nut and body are partially threaded together so that an unflared tube may be inserted into the nut, body and sleeve to a position where it may be gripped and sealed by the sleeve upon deformation of the latter by further threading of the nut upon the body. The nut has mounted therein a ring of flexible spring metal slotted so as to form fingers whose radially inner ends are initially on a diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the tube and bendable by insertion of the tube therethrough while the sleeve is undeformed so as to grip the tube by spring action to prevent withdrawal of the tube, as by gravity, and thus to hold the same in its proper position for being gripped by the deformable sleeve upon final tightening of the nut upon the body.