Abstract: An expansion valve comprises an orifice formed in a valve body and a valve member fixed to a movable member. Movement of a diaphragm is transmitted to an actuating rod via a member and the actuating rod actuated the movable member to control the opening amount of the path between the valve member and the orifice. An orifice member affixed to the orifice is made of a material harder than the valve body, and free from erosion or other damage by a refrigerant, which will otherwise occur at the valve opening portion.

Abstract: In a process for regulating a refrigeration system (1) using an expansion valve (4), one side of the regulating member is pressed by the pressure of refrigerant at the evaporator side and the other side of the regulating member is pressed by the vapor pressure of a sensor system (22) whose sensor temperature is determined by the refrigerant saturation temperature and by the heat supplied by a heating element (27). heat supply is regulated depending on a measurement value (overheating or liquid level). Also disclosed is a refrigeration system (1) regulated in this manner and an expansion valve (4) as essential component of such a system. An improved, exonomic and universally applicable regulation can thus be obtained.

Abstract: The housing of a refrigeration expansion valve has a port which is in communication with the pressure feed back chamber of the valve. A pressure gauge may be attached to the port to read the pressure of the refrigerant discharged from the evaporator.

Abstract: A thermal expansion valve has a valve housing, a valve, a valve controller, a rod, and a seal ring. The valve housing has a first refrigerant passage, which is adapted to pass a liquid-phase refrigerant, and a second refrigerant passage, which is adapted to communicate a gas-phase refrigerant. The valve housing has a wall that separates the first and second passages. This wall has an opening that is in fluid communication with the first and second passages. The valve controls flow of the liquid-phase refrigerant entering the first passage. The valve controller is mounted on the valve housing and has a diaphragm and first and second chambers separated by the diaphragm. The rod extends between the diaphragm and the valve and is movably displaceable through the opening in the wall to open and close the valve to control the amount of the liquid-phase refrigerant entering the first passage. The seal ring is positioned in the opening and engages the opening surface of the wall and the rod to seal the opening.

Abstract: An expansion valve having a valve element, which valve element co-operates with a valve seat arranged between a first port and a second port in a housing, and is movable by an operating device in one direction and by a restoring device in the opposite direction along the same axis relative to the valve seat. It is desirable to make the properties independent of the operating direction in which the refrigerant flows. For that purpose, the valve element is connected to a first pressure surface arrangement, which comprises first pressure surfaces of substantially equal size acting in opposite directions, on which the pressure in the first port acts when the valve is closed, and to a second pressure surface arrangement, which comprises second pressure surfaces of substantially equal size acting in opposite directions, on which the pressure in the second port acts when the valve is closed.

Abstract: In a thermostatic expansion valve included in a refrigeration cycle for expansion of a refrigerant which is contained in the refrigeration cycle, the thermostatic expansion valve is provided with a particular chamber (14) which is substantially separated from a refrigerant passage (10, 11) for guiding the refrigerant and is connected to the refrigerant passage through an additional passage (15). The particular chamber has pressure relating to pressure in the refrigerant passage when the refrigeration cycle is operated. In order to reduce influence of the pressure in the refrigerant passage, a pressure transmission member (22) transmits the pressure in the particular chamber to a valve mechanism (200a, 201) which is placed in the refrigerant passage to adjust a flow of the refrigerant in the refrigerant passage. An operation control arrangement (205, 206, 207) controls an operation of the valve mechanism in response to temperature of the refrigerant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic self-adjusting thermally powered expansion valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant to an evaporator of a refrigeration system. The valve includes a differential fluid amplifier transducer which produces a constant flow of refrigerant independent of the liquid line pressure and includes a generally cylindrical interior with an inlet chamber having an inlet port and an outlet chamber having an outlet port and an orifice between the chambers providing a passage for the flow of refrigerant through the valve. The flow of refrigerant through the valve is regulated by a valve element, which moves longitudinally within the chambers with respect to the orifice. The longitudinal position of the valve element is controlled by force generators and sensors. The position of the valve element depends on the fluid pressure and the size of the pressure disks, and the spring constant of the compression spring.

Abstract: A flow management device is provided for managing refrigerant flow in a reversible HVAC system. Refrigerant lines from the system heat exchangers connect to bi-directional ports on the flow management device which converts the high pressure refrigerant flowing in one bi-directional port into pressure reduced refrigerant that flows out of the other bi-directional port. The flow management device has multiple bi-directional ports and a flow path for refrigerant extending between the ports. Flow sensitive valves are positioned within the flow path to prevent high pressure refrigerant from flowing between the ports. A pressure reducing device is arranged so that high pressure refrigerant flowing into one of the ports flows through one of the flow sensitive valves and then into the pressure reducing device. Pressure reduced refrigerant emitted from the pressure reducing device flows through a multi-function valve and out the other port.

Abstract: A hollow extrusion device includes a piston for pushing a billet of aluminum alloy through a first molding die placed on an opposite side of the billet. The molding die may comprise any number of cavities, but preferably comprises three cavities. On a side of the first die from which the extruded billet exits, a second die is provided and forms an outer shape of the expansion valve body. Subsequent to passing through the second die, mandrels are provided which form penetrating holes in the extruded, shaped material. One mandrel forms a second path in the expansion valve body, and two other mandrel form two bolt holes in the expansion valve body. The extruded, shaped material is cut to a set length, then further processed.

Abstract: An improved thermally responsive expansion valve for use in controlling flow of refrigerant in a circulating system has a cartridge sub-assembly with a fluid charged diaphragm capsule, an operating rod mechanism, a valve seat and captured valve obturator. A tubular extension with the valve seat is adjustably threaded onto the capsule. The cartridge subassembly may be thermally pre-calibrated before installation in a blind bore in a valve body. During calibration, the tubular extension is rotated to adjust the diaphragm and operating rod mechanism to provide the desired obturator movement from the valve seat at the calibration temperature.

Abstract: An expansion valve includes a valve body, a valve, a power element, and an aluminum heat sensing shaft. The heat sensing shaft has a hole with a bottom reaching a heat sensing portion thereof. The hole makes the heat transfer area of the heat sensing shaft small. Consequently, in a refrigeration system the response of the expansion valve is relatively insensitive to changes in a heat load of an evaporator. Thus, unwanted hunting phenomenon in the refrigeration system is prevented.

Abstract: In an expansion valve integrated with a electromagnetic valve, the expansion valve has an inlet refrigerant path for introducing refrigerant, a restriction path for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant, a valve element for adjusting an opening degree of the restriction path, a valve element operating unit, and an outlet refrigerant path for discharging the refrigerant. The outlet refrigerant path is opened or closed by the electromagnetic valve. When the electromagnetic valve is closed, the valve element operating unit closes the valve element in the restriction path, based on a refrigerant pressure in a space between a valve element of the electromagnetic valve and the restriction path. The space communicates with the inlet refrigerant path through a minute communication hole.

Abstract: A valve body of a thermal type expansion valve comprises of a fist path 32 and a second path 34 as the valve body 30, and a rod member 316 forming a heat sensing shaft 36f is a shaft having a small diameter, and according to the displacement of the diaphragm 361 of the power element member 36, the shaft is driven back and forth crossing the path 34. The rod member 316 has an overall length whose ratio is 17 to 28 against the outer diameter size, and is formed not to buckle against the stress added in the axial direction, which contributes to the miniaturization and lighter weight of the valve as a whole.

Abstract: A thermostatic subcooling control valve is disclosed which is capable of enhancing evaporative power of an evaporator in a refrigerating cycle to thereby improve refrigerating capacity of the refrigerating cycle and which is capable of ensuring safety from danger of a high pressure refrigerant and which is capable of attaining improved precision and improved reliability. The thermostatic subcooling control valve according to the present invention comprises a valve body having a pressure-operative portion and a valving element operating portion for sensing temperature and pressure of a refrigerant to operate, and the valve body is contained in a casing provided with a refrigerant inlet connecting portion and a refrigerant outlet connecting portion. Preferably, the casing comprises an entrance casing member having the inlet connecting portion and an exit casing member having the outlet connecting portion, and the casing members are fixedly joined together to thereby contain the valve body.

Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve has a valve shell, e.g., housing, with a high-pressure refrigerant passage and a low-pressure refrigerant passage. The high pressure refrigerant passage has a valve hole and a valve member that changes the valve hole opening rate. A pressure-operating chamber, which has an air-tight chamber and an equalizing chamber separated by a diaphragm, drives the valve member. This pressure-operating chamber, which is attached to the valve shell to detect the temperature, detects the temperature of gaseous phase refrigerant. The valve shell has a hole or opening extending through its outer wall. A plug member seals the hole after a heat-sensitive gas, which senses the temperature of the gas-phase refrigerant passing through the expansion valve, is introduced into the housing through the opening. The plug member is seated on the peripheral edge of the opening and welded to the opening peripheral edge by projection welding. An anti-corrosive material is applied to cover the welded area.

Abstract: A mechanical thermostatic refrigerant expansion valve assembly with an electrically operated shut-off in the inlet to the valve body. Preferably, the electrical operator is a solenoid attached to the valve body on the end opposite the mechanical thermal responsive valve actuator so as to minimize the changes in the manufacturing of an existing valve body. The solenoid armature moves a secondary valving member spring biased to shut off flow in the valve inlet.

Abstract: An expansion valve includes a valve body, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a flow rate of a refrigerant supplied to an evaporator and a control mechanism for controlling said adjusting mechanism in accordance with a temperature of the refrigerant supplied to a compressor from the evaporator. The body has a first passage for introducing the refrigerant to the body, a second passage for supplying the refrigerant from the first passage to the evaporator and a third passage for transferring the refrigerant to the compressor from the evaporator. The adjusting mechanism has a restriction for connecting the first passage with the second passage and a valve member for adjusting a degree of the restriction. The control mechanism has a heat sensitive chamber filled with the gas in a sealing manner and a diaphragm movable in accordance with pressure in the sensitive chamber.

Abstract: The expansion valve of the present invention comprises of a heat sensing shaft 36f equipped to the expansion valve 10 and a diaphragm 36a contacting its surface, a large stopper portion 312 for receiving the diaphragm 36a, a large radius portion 314 movably inserted to the lower pressure activate chamber 36c and contacting the back surface of the stopper portion 312 at one end surface and the center of the other end surface formed at the projection 315, and a rod portion 316 whose one end surface fit to the projection 315 of the large radius portion 314 and the other end surface continuing from the valve means 32b, wherein a concave 317 is formed on the outer peripheral of said projection 315. This concave 317 is the fitting means for fitting the resin 101 having low heat transmission rate to the heat sensing shaft in order to prevent the occurrence of hunting phenomenon.

Abstract: An expansion valve includes a temperature sensing rod made of metal, for sensing a temperature of refrigerant in an evaporator outlet side passage. A first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber are separated by a diaphragm. The temperature sensing rod include a small-diameter shaft portion and a diaphragm stopper portion which is connected to an end of the small-diameter shaft portion and contacts the diaphragm. The evaporator outlet side passage and the second pressure chamber are communicated through a space. A heat transmission delay member made of resin is press-fitted to the temperature sensing rod, and includes a thin cylindrical portion which covers a part of the small-diameter shaft portion, placed in the evaporator outlet side passage, a thick cylindrical portion which covers a part of the small-diameter portion, placed in the space and the thick circular plate which covers the diaphragm stopper portion.

Abstract: A block type expansion valve for use in a vehicular air conditioning system has a dampening spring to dampen movements of a diaphragm within a diaphragm chamber. The dampening spring is fixed to an upper fixing member positioned on an adjusting hollow thread and a lower fixing members positioned on the diaphragm. The adjusting hollow thread is engaged into a cylindrical thread member to allow a level of biasing force of the dampening spring to be adjusted.

Abstract: An expansion valve has a housing with a hole extending through its outer wall. A plug body seals the hole after a heat sensing gas, which senses the temperature of the gas-phase refrigerant passing through the expansion valve, is pressurized in the housing through the hole. The plug body, which is made from a cut metallic material, seals the hole to maintain the pressurized gas in the housing. The plug body is welded to the housing by an electrical weld. A corrosion inhibitor can be applied around the weld periphery to prevent corrosion from forming at the weld areas. The plug body has a line contact portion formed by a tapered surface, e.g., a conical portion, with a plurality of concentrically arranged a line contact portion, which has spaced projections. These projections can be formed, for instance, by cutting circumferentially around the tapered surface.

Abstract: A thermal expansion valve comprises a metal tube for flowing a fluid therethrough, and a metal rod fixed only at a first end in the tube and disposed wholly within the tube, the metal tube having a greater coefficient of expansion than the metal rod. A plug having an orifice therethrough is disposed in the tube proximate a free end of the rod. Lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the tube and the rod caused by the temperature of the fluid in the tube and around the rod causes the free end of the rod to retreat from the plug to increase flow of the fluid therethrough, and causes the free end of the rod to approach the plug to restrict flow of the fluid therethrough, respectively.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in an expansion valve integrated with a electromagnetic valve, there are provided an inlet refrigerant path, a restriction path for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant from the inlet refrigerant path, a valve element for adjusting an opening degree of the restriction path, a diaphragm operating unit, and an outlet refrigerant path for supplying the refrigerant decompressed and expanded in the restriction path to an evaporator. The outlet refrigerant path is opened or closed by the electromagnetic valve 200. When the electromagnetic valve 20 is closed, the diaphragm operating unit operates to close the valve element in the restriction path, based on the refrigerant pressure between the valve element of the electromagnetic and the restriction path. In this way, it is possible to reduce the noise of the refrigerant when the electromagnetic valve is closed.

Abstract: A centrifugal type separator is disposed on a downstream side of a temperature-operating type expansion valve. Liquid-phase refrigerant separated herein is again pressure-reduced by an aperture resistance and thereafter inducted to an inlet side of the evaporator by means of a liquid-phase refrigerant discharge passage. Meanwhile, gas-phase refrigerant separated by the separator is returned directly from a gas-phase refrigerant discharge passage to an evaporator outlet side passage, and after being united with superheated gas-phase refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator, is taken into a compressor. A temperature-sensing tube of the expansion valve is disposed further on the downstream side of the foregoing union location so as to enable the temperature of the superheated gas-phase refrigerant evaporated by the evaporator to be sensed accurately.

Abstract: A valve, especially a thermostatic expansion valve, has a setpoint spring which bears on a plate having a sloping face. A setpoint adjusting device is provided in a housing connecting tube. The adjusting device has a pressure-applying piece having a contact face engaging the sloping face, is secured against rotation and has a threaded bore. An adjusting screw which is supported on the connecting tube against axial displacement engages in this threaded bore. In this construction, the connecting tube requires no machining.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a refrigerant inlet port and a refrigerant outlet port having a restricted opening, with the inlet port opening at least 2 times larger than the restricted outlet port opening. The valve includes components for opening and closing the inlet port in response to valve cavity pressure between the inlet and outlet ports.The larger inlet port relative to the restricted outlet port provides for rapid pressure buildup in the valve cavity when the inlet port is open which, in turn, causes rapid closing of the inlet port. The valve is capable of rapid cycling rates, highly effective for small refrigeration or cooling apparatus, as well as for controlling pressure in other applications requiring pressure regulation.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a thermal expansion valve for a refrigerating cycle includes a housing having a throttle passage therein for expanding the refrigerant thereinto from the high-pressure side liquid refrigerant circuit, a valve element provided within the housing for adjusting opening degree of the throttle passage, and a thermosensitive element movably disposed within the housing. The thermosensitive element includes a case and a pressure responding member disposed within the case and displacing according to temperature and pressure of the refrigerant at the exit of an evaporator. The case of the thermosensitive element is integrally connected to the valve element, and the thermosensitive element and the valve element are so constructed as to integrally move according to the displacement of the pressure responding member.

Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system comprises a heat pump type refrigerant circuit charged with a first refrigerant and includes first and second internal heat exchangers disposed within an air conditioning duct and an external heat exchanger located outside the duct. A plurality of electromagnetic valves are selectively operated so that in one operational state the external heat exchanger performs as an evaporator and the second internal heat exchanger performs as a condenser, and such that in another operational state the external heat exchanger and the first internal heat exchanger perform as evaporators and the second internal heat exchanger performs as a condenser. A first pressure equalizing type expansion valve mechanism associated with the external heat exchanger has a P-T characteristic curve wherein a static superheat curve intersects with a saturated first refrigerant vapor curve when the temperature of the first refrigerant immediately upstream of the external heat exchanger is in a low range.

Abstract: An expansion valve used in an air conditioner having a passage for a liquid-phase refrigerant sent from a reservoir to a valve body, and a passage for a vapor-phase refrigerant after passing an evaporator 8. The refrigerant passage includes a valve chamber to control the amount of the refrigerant passing through the valve by means of a member configured to engage with a valve seat. The valve member is operated by a valve driving rod which can move in the axial direction in response to the temperature and pressure of the vapor-phase refrigerant. An orifice is interposed between a liquid-phase refrigerant inlet port and the valve chamber to decrease that bubbles contained in the refrigerant entering into the valve chamber by means of its throttling hole. Also the passage from the valve chamber to the valve seat is tapered to prevent collapse of bubbles.

Abstract: An integral combination of expansion valve and evaporator in a cryostat using a single support member. The valve includes two flow orifices, one orifice being used primarily for steady-state operation and the other orifice being used only during cool-down. An actuator having a high coefficient of thermal expansion moves a needle positioned in the cool-down orifice such that a large orifice flow area at the start of cool-down is automatically and continuously reduced as the actuator temperature decreases as refrigerant is throttled through the orifice. Within a range of approximately 30 K from the desired steady-state evaporator temperature, the needle completely blocks the cool-down orifice. Then, refrigerant flows through the steady-state orifice which has a remotely adjustable needle. In the final stage of cool-down, the refrigerant system is entirely controlled by the steady-state orifice and its associated needle.

Abstract: This invention provides an expansion valve combined with a solenoid valve which prevents a water hammer phenomenon from occurring when a refrigerant passage is opened and closed by the solenoid valve. Refrigerant passages (P1, P2) are formed in a valve body (1) between a primary port (1a) and a secondary port (1b). The solenoid valve (V) attached to the valve body (1) opens and closes the refrigerant passages (P1, P2) in their intermediate portion. An expansion valve disk (6)--which is moved by the action of a diaphragm (8) that defines an outer pressure chamber (R2) communicating to a temperature sensing cylinder (E) and an inner pressure chamber (R1)--is brought into and out of engagement with a valve seat (S1) formed on the primary port (1a) side of the refrigerant passage (P1). The secondary port (1b) side and the inner pressure chamber (R1) are communicated via an inner pressure equalizing hole (15) formed in the valve body (1).

Abstract: A right angle thermally responsive expansion valve having an integrally formed valve actuator rod with an enlarged head contacted by a pressure responsive diaphragm and the rod is guided for sliding movement in the valve body. The actuator rod has a reduced diameter end which contacts a valve member for effecting opening of the valve. The reduced diameter end is sealed by a seal ring between the rod and the body.

Abstract: An energy-efficient refrigeration system includes an electrically controlled thermal expansion valve disposed in the refrigerant piping so as to control flow of refrigerant in the refrigeration system, and an expansion valve controller coupled to the expansion valve to provide control signals to the valve. The controller includes a refrigerant temperature sensing device coupled to the refrigeration system so as to sense a flow control temperature corresponding to the refrigeration temperature at a flow measurement site so that the controller generates control signals to control valve position to provide optimum refrigerant flow for a particular operational mode of the system. The thermal expansion valve includes a heating element that is responsive to control signals from the controller and that is thermally coupled to a thermal expansion medium so that the medium expands upon application of heat from the heating element.

Abstract: This combination expansion valve and check valve (18) includes a valve body (22) having an inlet (24) and a outlet (26). A control-valve (28) is disposed between the inlet and the outlet which controls flow through the valve when refrigerant flow is normal and pressure is higher at the inlet than the outlet. A by-pass conduit (60) is connected between the inlet and the outlet. A check valve (58) is disposed in the by-pass conduit within the valve to block flow through the conduit when the expansion valve is operating and to permit flow through the conduit when flow is reversed.

Abstract: An adsorbent enclosed in a gas control tube communicating with a thermosensitive tube of an expansion valve via a capillary tube adsorbs a refrigerant gas enclosed in the hermetically sealed space from a thermosensitive tube to a gas control tube. When this is heated by an electric heater, there is discharge of the refrigerant gas that was adsorbed up to then so that passage of current to the electric heater stops and there is adsorption of the refrigerant gas at normal temperature to a saturation state. As a result, if the electric current to the electric heater is stopped so that the adsorbent adsorbs the refrigerant gas, the pressure in the thermosensitive chamber (hermetically sealed space) drops and an expansion valve closes completely.

Abstract: This expansion valve (10) can be used for a refrigeration system (1) having a compressor (2), an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4). The valve (10) comprises a body (12) including an inlet passage (26), an outlet passage (38), a piston passage (28) defining a piston port (30) and valve chamber (32), the piston passage (28) defining a piston chamber (46) communicating with valve chamber (32). A piston (40) is movably mounted in the piston passage (28) and selectively controls flow through the piston port (30), the piston (40) having an interior passage (60) communicating with the inlet passage (26) and having a pin port (62) communicating with the valve chamber (32), the piston (40) having a biasing spring (52) biasing the piston (40) into a closed position. A valve pin (70) is movably mounted in the valve chamber (32) and controls flow through the valve pin port (62), the valve pin (70) having a spring (74) biasing the pin (70) into the closed position.

Abstract: A thermostatic expansion valve includes a valve housing having upper and lower passages. In the lower passage a valve member urged by a spring toward a valve seat of a valve port formed therein is provided. At the top of the housing a driving unit for driving the valve member to open and close the port is attached. The unit has a housing partitioned by a diaphragm into upper and lower pressure operating chambers. A diaphragm driving fluid is filled in the upper chamber, and the lower chamber is connected to a refrigerant circulating pipe between an evaporator pressure regulator and a compressor while the upper passage to the pipe between an evaporator and the regulator and the lower passage to the pipe between the evaporator and an condenser. In the housing a valve member driving rod extends from the diaphragm to the port and crosses the upper passage. The top end of the rod is hermetically fixed to the diaphragm and the lower end abuts the valve member against the spring.

Abstract: In an expansion valve for controlling the flow rate of a refrigerant supplied to an evaporator of a refrigerating system, a temperature-sensing chamber is provided to sense the temperature of the refrigerant returning from said evaporator and to actuate a valve mechanism in order to regulate the flow of refrigerant supplied to said evaporator. An adsorption means provided inside the temperature-sensing chamber to adsorb a liquefied part of a gas charge within said chamber in order to hold said liquefied part away from warm wall parts inside said chamber. In addition, or as an alternative, said temperature-sensing chamber is separated from a return passage of said refrigerant by thermal-transfer-delay means for delaying the thermal transfer of a temperature change from the refrigerant to a sealed charge within said temperature-sensing chamber. Said thermal-transfer-delay means can be made as a flow restrictor for supressing an excessive flow between said chamber and said return passage of the refrigerant.

Abstract: A thermal expansion valve drives a valve body in a housing through a driving member by a gas pressure of a heat sensitive working fluid sealed in a power element, neighboring the housing, by a diaphragm. The driving member holds a heat ballast at its blind hole opened to the working fluid. A diaphragm has a center opening surrounded by a tubular projection, the diaphragm side end portion of the driving member is inserted in the opening, and a diaphragm catch is fitted on the outer periphery of the projection. The catch, the extended end of the projection and the end of the driving member are airtightly welded to each other.

Abstract: This expansion valve (10 ) can be used for a refrigeration system (1) having a compressor (2), an evaporator (3) and a condenser (4). The valve (10) comprises a body (12) including an inlet passage (26), an outlet passage (38), a piston passage (28) defining a piston port (30) and valve chamber (32), the piston passage (28) defining a piston chamber (46) communicating with valve chamber (32). A piston (40) is movably mounted in the piston passage (28) and selectively controls flow through the piston port (30), the piston (40) having an interior passage (60) communicating with the inlet passage (26) and having a pin port (62) communicating with the valve chamber (32), the piston (40) having a biasing spring (52) biasing the piston (40) into a closed position. A valve pin (70) is movably mounted in the valve chamber (32) and controls flow through the valve pin port (62), the valve pin (70) having a spring (74) biasing the pin (70) into the closed position.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion valve has a pressure-responsive diaphragm forming a wall of a fluid filled chamber. The diaphragm is connected to one end of an actuator rod incorporating a hollow with a closed end opposite and operative to move a valve member for controlling flow between an inlet and outlet. The actuator member has the hollow communicating with the fluid filled chamber and its external surface exposed to return refrigerant flow. Fluid communications between the hollow of the actuator member and the fluid filled chamber is restricted by an orifice in a plug in the open end of the hollow to dampen the effects of sudden temperature changes of the return flow over the hollow. Preferably, the actuator member, plug, and diaphragm are commonly clamped, sealed, and welded together.

Abstract: The valve has a valve seat disposed in the fluid flow path between the inlet and outlet and a closure member adjustable relative to the valve seat by an actuating device. A valve actuating shaft which is connected to the closure member includes an adjustment element for selectively varying the effective length of the shaft. Further, a stop member is provided in the valve housing for adjustment in the direction of movement of the closure member to block the closing movement of the closure member toward the valve seat to prevent the closure member engaging the valve seat. This ensures that there is a permanently open flow path with an adjustable throttle resistance by which a minimum flow is maintained.

Abstract: A reversible flow thermal expansion valve for use in a heat system is disclosed wherein the thermal expansion valve includes a valve body having a flowpath therethrough with an inlet and outlet, an expansion port within the flowpath, and an expansion valve to open and close the expansion port. An internal by-pass flow path by-passes the expansion port for reverse flow through the expansion valve. A check valve in the by-pass flow path prevents refrigerant from by-passing the expansion port during regular, forward flow through the expansion valve. The check valve has a spring to bias the check valve normally closed, and a bypass port communicating between a check valve guide path chamber and a check valve outlet in order to relieve pressure in the guide path chamber and increase the flow rate through the check valve.

Abstract: A power element-valve housing combined type thermal expansion valve has a diaphragm in an element and a driving member for driving a valve body in a housing by a diaphragm deflection. The diaphragm has a center opening surrounded by a tubular projection, the driving member has an outer flange coaxially supporting the diaphragm and a heat-balance containing blind hold opened to a heat sensitive working fluid in a sealed chamber in the element. A diaphragm catch fits on the projection's periphery and is airtightly welded with a coaxial annular ridge on a supporting surface of the flange to sandwich the diaphragm with the flange.

Abstract: The expansion valve has an operating pressure setting member that can adjust the operating pressure of a pressure-activated diaphragm by moving a spring retainer of an operating spring against the force the spring which is interposed between the diaphragm and the spring retainer. The operating pressure setting member, after being set at a desired setting position, is securely fitted into and crimped by a secondary coolant flow pipe. The operating pressure setting member has a coolant passage for the coolant to pass through. This construction can completely prevent leakage of the coolant from the operating pressure setting member as would occur with conventional expansion valves whose operating pressure setting member is not installed inside the secondary coolant flow pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling machine having a cooling cycle in which coolant circulates, which cooling cycle comprises:1) an evaporator:2) a compressor;3) a condenser;4) a thermostatic expansion valve whereof a bulb is connected to a coolant outlet of the evaporator; and integrating control circuit for the thermostatic expansion valve, comprising:a liquid-sensitive sensor placed in the cooling cycle for direct contact with coolant and connected via a voltage source to a heating element with which the bulb can be heated,and to a thermostatic expansion valve therefor.

Abstract: An expansion valve (10) for controlling the flow rate of refrigerant supplied to an evaporator (1) of a refrigerating system comprises a temperature-sensing chamber (30) entirely provided within the housing (11) of said expansion valve in a low pressure passage (12) thereof. Said passage (13) is connected to the outlet of said evaporator (1) and the inlet of a compressor (2), for converting a temperature change into a pressure change in order to actuate a valve mechanism (20) in response to a rise and lowering in pressure of said temperature-sensing chamber to open and close a passage (13) for adiabatic expansion of the refrigerant. Said temperature-sensing chamber (30) contains a sealed gas charge and an adsorbent material (35) for adsorbing and releasing said gaseous medium in accordance with temperature changes sensed.

Abstract: This thermostatic expansion valve (12) is intended for use in a refrigeration system (10) which includes a compressor (14), a condenser (16) and an evaporator (18). The valve (12) includes a valve body (20) having an inlet (26) and an outlet (28). A valve port (34) and a valve element (38) are disposed between the inlet and outlet. Upper and lower diaphragm assemblies (24, 25) are provided at each end of the valve (12) connected to associated sensing bulbs (56, 58) at the inlet and outlet respectively of the evaporator (18). A push rod assembly (40) operatively interconnects the upper and lower diaphragm assemblies (24, 25) and modulates the valve element (38) in response to the change in differential temperature across the evaporator. A compression spring (36) acts directly on the valve element and provides an adjustable feature.

Abstract: In a control method for a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, a thermostatic expansion valve, and an evaporator, the amount of a refrigerant flowing into the evaporator is increased at a temperature lower than a predetermined evaporating temperature by a thermostatic expansion valve which opens even if the evaporating temperature is lower than the predetermined level and a superheat signal is lower than zero. In a thermostatic expansion valve best suited for the above method, either a gas adsorbent and at least two working fluids, different in a temperature-induced change of the amount of adsorption to the gas adsorbent, or a first working fluid, whose saturated vapor pressure is lower than the superheated vapor pressure of the refrigerant at the outlet of the evaporator, and a second working fluid, incapable of being liquefied within the range of the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant, are sealed in the thermo-tube.

Abstract: A thermo bulb for use with a thermostatic expansion valve, includes a temperature sensing cylinder connected to a power element of a valve unit of the thermostatic expansion valve, a thermal ballast arranged in the temperature sensing cylinder and made by a ceramic sinter which has silica and alumina as its main components, an operating fluid sealed in the temperature sensing cylinder to change from gas to liquid and vice versa response to temperature sensed by the cylinder at an outlet of an evaporator of a refrigeration system, and an arrangement for fixing the thermal ballast into a certain position in the temperature sensing cylinder so as not to prevent the thermal ballast from making contact with an inner surface of the temperature sensing cylinder.