Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerant accumulator combined with a heat exchanger for a motor vehicle air conditioning unit. The accumulator includes a collector chamber having a liquid disposed therein and a neighboring flow chamber. The collector chamber includes a valve which selectively permits a flow of the liquid from the collector chamber into the flow chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerant accumulator for a motor vehicle air conditioning unit with a collector chamber and a neighboring flow chamber wherein the region of the accumulated refrigerant oil, the collector chamber includes a valve, which is established such that at a pressure difference between the collector chamber and the flow chamber higher than the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid column in the collector chamber refrigerant flows from the collector chamber over the valve into the flow chamber.

Abstract: A mechanical joint for an accumulator-internal heat exchanger (AccuIHE) module is provided. The mechanical joint includes a heat exchanger pipe and a cover plate having an internal connecting area. The internal connecting area is adapted to receive the heat exchanger pipe. The cover plate further has an external connecting area in fluid communication with the internal connecting area, the external connecting area adapted to receive a high-pressure coolant line. The mechanical joint also has a housing adapted to receive the cover plate and the heat exchanger pipe, and a sealing element. The sealing element is disposed between the heat exchanger pipe and the internal connecting area of the cover plate. The sealing element facilitates a substantially fluid tight seal therebetween. An AccuIHE module having the mechanical joint and a method for forming the mechanical joint are also provided.

Abstract: An internal heat exchanger including an integrated accumulator is disclosed, wherein the heat exchanger is used in refrigerant circuits, particularly in motor vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Abstract: An internal heat exchanger unit for use in refrigerant circuits of automotive air conditioning systems. The internal heat exchanger includes a casing within which is located an accumulator, spaced thereapart so as to define a gap between the two components. Located within the gap is a coil-shaped fin tube. The fins of the fin tube include bend end portions at spaced apart locations about the fins, and the bent end portions defining an outer dimension of the fins that substantially corresponds to the gap width.