EP1574795A1 - Receiver for air conditioning - Google Patents

Receiver for air conditioning Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1574795A1
EP1574795A1 EP04251345A EP04251345A EP1574795A1 EP 1574795 A1 EP1574795 A1 EP 1574795A1 EP 04251345 A EP04251345 A EP 04251345A EP 04251345 A EP04251345 A EP 04251345A EP 1574795 A1 EP1574795 A1 EP 1574795A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
receiver
tubular body
plug
head
base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04251345A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Hans Georg Neufang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Delphi Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Delphi Technologies Inc filed Critical Delphi Technologies Inc
Priority to EP04251345A priority Critical patent/EP1574795A1/en
Publication of EP1574795A1 publication Critical patent/EP1574795A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B43/00—Arrangements for separating or purifying gases or liquids; Arrangements for vaporising the residuum of liquid refrigerant, e.g. by heat
    • F25B43/003—Filters
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2339/00—Details of evaporators; Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/04—Details of condensers
    • F25B2339/044—Condensers with an integrated receiver
    • F25B2339/0441—Condensers with an integrated receiver containing a drier or a filter
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B2400/00—Component parts or details not otherwise provided for in this subclass
    • F25B2400/16—Receivers
    • F25B2400/162—Receivers characterised by the plug or stop

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a receiver-drier for use in air conditioning systems.
  • the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to automotive air conditioning systems.
  • the condenser in an automotive air conditioning system it is conventional for the condenser in an automotive air conditioning system to have associated with it a receiver to act as a refrigerant reservoir and pressure accumulator. It is also usual for the receiver to contain a water-absorbing desiccant element for removing water from the refrigerant, and a filter for removing particulate contamination, the combined unit being known as a receiver-drier.
  • Hitherto receiver-driers have typically been fabricated from aluminium alloy by brazing. In view of the considerable pressures involved, it has been necessary to use relatively thick aluminium, for example 3mm. These products have had high costs in terms of materials, fabrication and assembly time, and energy consumption in brazing.
  • the receiver-drier is non-serviceable, that is, there is no provision for cleaning or exchanging the desiccant element or the filter; the unit is sealed closed and in the event of a malfunction must be discarded and replaced. It is also known to provide a serviceable receiver-drier in which the desiccant element and filter can be removed and replaced via a plug. However, in this latter case the plug and the wall of the receiver with which it engages have been substantial structures with complex mechanical engagement.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide improved receivers and receiver-driers having lower material and manufacturing costs and improved ease of serviceability.
  • the present invention provides a receiver for use in air conditioning systems, comprising a tubular body, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the tubular body; and is characterised by a plug extending from one end of the tubular body to the other end, the plug being sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the tubular body at either end, and the plug being mechanically engaged with the tubular body at either end to carry axial loading produced by fluid pressure within the tubular body.
  • the plug preferably comprises a base and a head each having an outer diameter close to the inner diameter of the tubular body, and a stem of reduced diameter extending between the base and the head.
  • the base and the head are sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the body by means of O-rings located in grooves in the base and head.
  • the base may include a flange which engages against the adjacent end surface of the body and the head may have a portion extending externally of the body and having a groove for receipt of a circlip to engage the adjacent end surface of the body.
  • the tubular body may be an extrusion of aluminium or of a plastic material.
  • the invention also provides a receiver-drier comprising a receiver as defined above, a desiccant element contained within the body, and preferably also a filter positioned within the body between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. Because of the construction of the receiver-drier, these elements are readily serviceable.
  • Figure 1 is a cross-section of one form of receiver-drier according to the invention.
  • the receiver-drier comprises a tubular body 1 which may conveniently be an aluminium extrusion of 1.5mm wall thickness, formed with an inlet 5 and outlet 6.
  • a plug 2 which may suitably be of aluminium, passes through the body 1 and comprises a stem 7, a base 8 and a head 9.
  • the base 8 includes a flange 10 which engages against the end of the body 1.
  • Each of the base 8 and head 9 is formed with circumferential grooves 11 for receiving O-rings (not shown) which seal against the inner surface of the body 1.
  • the head 9 has an additional groove 12 for receiving a circlip (not shown) to hold the assembly together.
  • a filter 3 is seated around the stem 7 so as to be interposed in fluid flow between the inlet 5 and the outlet 6.
  • a drier in the form of a desiccant pad 4 is located around the other end of the stem 7.
  • the plug 2 In use, the plug 2 carries the axial tension in the direction Z produced by the fluid pressure within the receiver. This allows the wall thickness of the receiver to be reduced. Assembly is greatly simplified, as is opening and resealing for servicing the filter and drier.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Gases (AREA)

Abstract

A receiver-drier has a tubular body (1) through which extends a plug (2)which is sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the body (1) at its ends, and which is mechanically engaged with the ends of the body (1) to carry axial loads produced by fluid pressure within the body (1). A filter (3) and drier (4) are carried by the plug (2).

Description

  • This invention relates to a receiver-drier for use in air conditioning systems. The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, applicable to automotive air conditioning systems.
  • It is conventional for the condenser in an automotive air conditioning system to have associated with it a receiver to act as a refrigerant reservoir and pressure accumulator. It is also usual for the receiver to contain a water-absorbing desiccant element for removing water from the refrigerant, and a filter for removing particulate contamination, the combined unit being known as a receiver-drier.
  • Hitherto receiver-driers have typically been fabricated from aluminium alloy by brazing. In view of the considerable pressures involved, it has been necessary to use relatively thick aluminium, for example 3mm. These products have had high costs in terms of materials, fabrication and assembly time, and energy consumption in brazing.
  • In some cases, the receiver-drier is non-serviceable, that is, there is no provision for cleaning or exchanging the desiccant element or the filter; the unit is sealed closed and in the event of a malfunction must be discarded and replaced. It is also known to provide a serviceable receiver-drier in which the desiccant element and filter can be removed and replaced via a plug. However, in this latter case the plug and the wall of the receiver with which it engages have been substantial structures with complex mechanical engagement.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide improved receivers and receiver-driers having lower material and manufacturing costs and improved ease of serviceability.
  • The present invention provides a receiver for use in air conditioning systems, comprising a tubular body, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet communicating with the interior of the tubular body; and is characterised by a plug extending from one end of the tubular body to the other end, the plug being sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the tubular body at either end, and the plug being mechanically engaged with the tubular body at either end to carry axial loading produced by fluid pressure within the tubular body.
  • This enables the wall thickness of the body to be reduced, and brazing to be eliminated.
  • The plug preferably comprises a base and a head each having an outer diameter close to the inner diameter of the tubular body, and a stem of reduced diameter extending between the base and the head. Preferably the base and the head are sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the body by means of O-rings located in grooves in the base and head.
  • The base may include a flange which engages against the adjacent end surface of the body and the head may have a portion extending externally of the body and having a groove for receipt of a circlip to engage the adjacent end surface of the body. This arrangement simplifies assembly
  • The tubular body may be an extrusion of aluminium or of a plastic material.
  • The invention also provides a receiver-drier comprising a receiver as defined above, a desiccant element contained within the body, and preferably also a filter positioned within the body between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. Because of the construction of the receiver-drier, these elements are readily serviceable.
  • An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawing, in which Figure 1 is a cross-section of one form of receiver-drier according to the invention.
  • The receiver-drier comprises a tubular body 1 which may conveniently be an aluminium extrusion of 1.5mm wall thickness, formed with an inlet 5 and outlet 6. A plug 2, which may suitably be of aluminium, passes through the body 1 and comprises a stem 7, a base 8 and a head 9. The base 8 includes a flange 10 which engages against the end of the body 1.
    Each of the base 8 and head 9 is formed with circumferential grooves 11 for receiving O-rings (not shown) which seal against the inner surface of the body 1. The head 9 has an additional groove 12 for receiving a circlip (not shown) to hold the assembly together.
  • A filter 3 is seated around the stem 7 so as to be interposed in fluid flow between the inlet 5 and the outlet 6. A drier in the form of a desiccant pad 4 is located around the other end of the stem 7.
  • In use, the plug 2 carries the axial tension in the direction Z produced by the fluid pressure within the receiver. This allows the wall thickness of the receiver to be reduced. Assembly is greatly simplified, as is opening and resealing for servicing the filter and drier.
  • Because of the use of the plug to carry axial loads, it may be practicable to use plastics rather than aluminium for the body, for example a plastic extrusion. This would give additional cost savings.

Claims (7)

  1. A receiver for use in air conditioning systems, comprising a tubular body (1), and a fluid inlet (5) and a fluid outlet (6) communicating with the interior of the tubular body (1); characterised by a plug (2) extending from one end of the tubular body (1) to the other end, the plug (2) being sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the tubular body (1) at either end, and the plug (2) being mechanically engaged with the tubular body (1) at either end to carry axial loading produced by fluid pressure within the tubular body (1).
  2. A receiver according to claim 1, in which the plug (2) comprises a base (8) and a head (9) each having an outer diameter close to the inner diameter of the tubular body (1), and a stem (7) of reduced diameter extending between the base (8) and the head (9) .
  3. A receiver according to claim 2, in which the base (8) and the head (9) are sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the body (1) by means of O-rings located in grooves in the base (8) and head (9).
  4. A receiver according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the base (8) includes a flange (10) which engages against the adjacent end surface of the body (1), and the head (9) has a portion extending externally of the body (1) and having a groove for receipt of a circlip to engage the adjacent end surface of the body (1).
  5. A receiver according to any preceding claim, in which the tubular body (1) is an extrusion of aluminium or of a plastic material.
  6. A receiver-drier comprising a receiver according to any preceding claim and a desiccant element (4) contained within the body (1).
  7. A receiver-drier according to claim 6 including a filter (3) positioned within the body (1) between the fluid inlet (5) and the fluid outlet (6).
EP04251345A 2004-03-09 2004-03-09 Receiver for air conditioning Withdrawn EP1574795A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04251345A EP1574795A1 (en) 2004-03-09 2004-03-09 Receiver for air conditioning

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04251345A EP1574795A1 (en) 2004-03-09 2004-03-09 Receiver for air conditioning

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1574795A1 true EP1574795A1 (en) 2005-09-14

Family

ID=34814405

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04251345A Withdrawn EP1574795A1 (en) 2004-03-09 2004-03-09 Receiver for air conditioning

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1574795A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7927407B2 (en) 2006-05-09 2011-04-19 Flow Dry Technology, Inc. Desiccant bag and filter assembly

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB788505A (en) * 1956-08-15 1958-01-02 William George Smith Improvements in or relating to devices for sealing or stopping defective boiler tubes
US5016674A (en) * 1990-01-22 1991-05-21 Kiss Stephen J Rod plug caps
EP1132695A1 (en) * 2000-03-09 2001-09-12 Skg Italiana Spa Filter cartridge and condenser
JP2002107009A (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-04-10 Calsonic Kansei Corp Filter-holding structure of receiver
FR2822518A1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2002-09-27 Valeo Thermique Moteur Sa Plug for condenser reservoir in motor vehicle air conditioning system, uses cylinder in center of plug that is raised by pressure to block release of circlip retaining plug in groove in condenser reservoir neck
WO2003089852A1 (en) * 2002-04-17 2003-10-30 Flow Dry Technology Ltd Desiccant cartridge for an integrated condenser/receiver and method of making same

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB788505A (en) * 1956-08-15 1958-01-02 William George Smith Improvements in or relating to devices for sealing or stopping defective boiler tubes
US5016674A (en) * 1990-01-22 1991-05-21 Kiss Stephen J Rod plug caps
EP1132695A1 (en) * 2000-03-09 2001-09-12 Skg Italiana Spa Filter cartridge and condenser
JP2002107009A (en) * 2000-09-29 2002-04-10 Calsonic Kansei Corp Filter-holding structure of receiver
FR2822518A1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2002-09-27 Valeo Thermique Moteur Sa Plug for condenser reservoir in motor vehicle air conditioning system, uses cylinder in center of plug that is raised by pressure to block release of circlip retaining plug in groove in condenser reservoir neck
WO2003089852A1 (en) * 2002-04-17 2003-10-30 Flow Dry Technology Ltd Desiccant cartridge for an integrated condenser/receiver and method of making same

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2002, no. 08 5 August 2002 (2002-08-05) *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7927407B2 (en) 2006-05-09 2011-04-19 Flow Dry Technology, Inc. Desiccant bag and filter assembly

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