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 back seating valve includes a valve body enclosing a valve plug with a threaded through-bore; and a valve element with a threaded valve stem and valve head. The valve plug and valve stem are initially preassembled, and then inserted into the valve body. The valve body is mechanically formed to retain the valve plug in the valve body without the use of welding or brazing. The valve plug has an external, non-cylindrical geometry which prevents the valve plug from rotating within the valve body. The valve plug is axially held between a shoulder and a narrowed-down end in the valve body. An external portion of the valve stem can be rotated to move the valve head into open, intermediate and closed positions between a front valve seat in the valve body, and a back valve seat in the valve plug.

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 back seating valve includes a valve body enclosing a valve plug with a threaded through-bore; and a valve element with a threaded valve stem and valve head. The valve plug and valve stem are initially preassembled , and then inserted into the valve body. The valve body is mechanically formed to retain the valve plug in the valve body without the use of welding or brazing. The valve plug has an external, non-cylindrical geometry which prevents the valve plug from rotating within the valve body. The valve plug is axially held between a shoulder and a narrowed-down end in the valve body. An external portion of the valve stem can be rotated to move the valve head into open, intermediate and closed positions between a front valve seat in the valve body, and a back valve seat in the valve plug.

Abstract: A filter dryer for refrigeration systems includes a generally tubular molded desiccant core therein. The central opening of the core is sealed and one end thereof supported by a forced-in plastic ball which itself is retained in a seat dimpled in the inlet baffle.