Abstract: A desiccant cartridge for use with a receiver/dryer of an automobile air-conditioning system. The desiccant cartridge contains a cup member and a cap member. The cap member includes a plurality of fingers located about a periphery thereof. The plurality of fingers engage the cup member to secure the cap member to the cup member. The plurality of fingers operate to facilitate insertion of the cap member into the cup member using a one-way lock-type arrangement. Accordingly, pushing the cap member downward into the open end of the cup member causes each of the plurality of fingers to deflect upward and slide along an interior surface free of protrusions of the cup member. Upward movement of the cap is limited by the plurality of fingers engaging the interior surface of the sidewall, which hold the cap member in place. Accordingly, the cap member can be inserted into and locks in the cup member at any position.

Abstract: An accumulator and a method of manufacturing same for use in an air-conditioning system wherein the accumulator is manufactured having a seamless housing and a cartridge that incorporates an inlet passage, an outlet passage and a baffle member into an integral cartridge which is inserted in an open end of the housing during production and secured in place by clips caught by a shoulder formed in the housing. A connector is used to complete the outlet passage of the cartridge of the accumulator. The open end of the housing is spun-closed shut to provide a nearby seamless accumulator. In an alternative embodiment the housing is manufactured to have an open end and a closed end and a disk having inlet and outlet holes is welded or brazed to the open end.

Abstract: An accumulator for use in an air-conditioning system wherein a refrigerant fluid is circulated. The accumulator embodies an enclosed housing defining an internal vapor chamber, an inlet tube, an outlet tube having a vapor inlet end in an upper portion of the vapor chamber, and a baffle member located within the housing between the upper and lower portions and within the vapor chamber to impede the flow of incoming partially vaporized fluid causing it to circulate within the chamber and allowing the refrigerant vapor to rise to the upper portion of the vapor chamber and to flow through the outlet tube. The baffle member is an integral part of the housing, being formed at the open end of one of two cup-shaped housing members and turning inwardly to provide a generally ring-shaped baffle member, with the cup-shaped members being joined at their open ends to complete the enclosed housing.

Abstract: An accumulator for use in an air-conditioning system wherein a refrigerant fluid is circulated. The accumulator embodies an enclosed housing defining an internal vapor chamber, an inlet tube, an outlet tube having a vapor inlet end in an upper portion of the vapor chamber, and a baffle member located within the housing between the upper and lower portions and within the vapor chamber to impede the flow of incoming partially vaporized fluid causing it to circulate within the chamber and allowing the refrigerant vapor to rise to the upper portion of the vapor chamber and to flow through the outlet tube. The baffle member is an integral part of the housing, being formed at the open end of one of two cup-shaped housing members and turning inwardly to provide a generally ring-shaped baffle member, with the cup-shaped members being joined at their open ends to complete the enclosed housing.

Abstract: A reusable retaining strap (30) for holding a clutch release bearing (12) and actuator (11) together in a contracted position during shipment and installation. In one embodiment, a pair of elongated arms (48) are connected to opposite sides of a central ring (46) which is secured to a piston (38) of the actuator (11). In a second embodiment, the elongate arms (48) are separate members fixed at one end to the piston (38). In each case, the arms (48) include anchoring lugs (50) on their distal ends (51). The anchoring lugs (50) extend transversely relative to the length of the arms (48) and are releasably secured to a receptacle (53) formed on the housing (32) of the actuator (11).

Abstract: A clutch release mechanism includes an annular piston arranged to move an anti-friction bearing axially for operating a friction clutch between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The outer diametrical dimension of the anti-friction bearing is less than the internal profile dimension of the annular cylinder, whereby the bearing is movable into the space circumscribed by the cylinder when the piston is in its retracted position.

Abstract: A reversible clutch release bearing assembly (20) including a housing (32) forming by identical first and second parts (34) and (35) engaged by a shifting fork (33). First and second parts of the housing each include a bearing cavity portion (36) surrounded by a perimeter lip (38). An anti-friction bearing (39) is contained within a bearing cavity (37) defined by the bearing cavity portions (36). A pair of wear pads (48) are attached at spaced locations to the outer side of the perimeter lips (38). The perimeter lips (38) extend on one side of the first and second parts of the housing to form flanges (50). Planar fork guide surfaces (52) are secured to the flanges (50) by a U-shaped bracket (54).