Abstract: A spacer for a body of a refrigerant tank—such as a modulator—in an automotive HVAC device is provided. In embodiments, the spacer is flexible to enable it to be inserted into the modulator, and expanded out against the walls of the modulator when released therein. The spacer inhibits a desiccant bag from contacting the inner wall of the modulator, namely the location where a hole (e.g., for an inlet or outlet) is provided. The spacer can be a cage that surrounds a lower portion of the desiccant bag. And end of the desiccant bag can wrap around a flange of the cage, and be attached to the flange by mechanical fastening (e.g., through a slot), or by welding, or other means.

Abstract: A spacer for a body of a refrigerant tank—such as a modulator—in an automotive HVAC device is provided. In embodiments, the spacer is flexible to enable it to be inserted into the modulator, and expanded out against the walls of the modulator when released therein. The spacer inhibits a desiccant bag from contacting the inner wall of the modulator, namely the location where a hole (e.g., for an inlet or outlet) is provided. The spacer can be a cage that surrounds a lower portion of the desiccant bag. And end of the desiccant bag can wrap around a flange of the cage, and be attached to the flange by mechanical fastening (e.g., through a slot), or by welding, or other means.

Abstract: A side member for a heat exchanger includes a core formed of tubes stacked with one another along a stacking direction. The heat exchanger performs heat exchange between a first fluid flowing through the tubes and a second fluid passing through the core. The side member includes a body portion. The body portion has an elongated shape extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to be positioned on one side of the core in the stacking direction in parallel with the tubes. The body portion defines a channel therein extending along a longitudinal direction and is configured to allow the first fluid to flow through the channel while exchanging heat with the second fluid passing through the core.