Sealing washer block connection

• US 5,354,101 A
• Filed: 09/13/1993
• Issued: 10/11/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Anderson, Russell C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reese, Randolph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHACKELFORD, HEATHER CHUN
• Application Number:
  US08/119,300
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 285/137.1, 285/24, 285/25, 285/26, 285/27, 285/28, 285/29, 285/130, 285/131, 285/30, 285/211, 285/212
• US Class Current: 285/25
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 39/00 Joints or fittings for double-walled or multi-channel pipes or pipe assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 41/086 fixed with screws
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 39/02 Evaporators
• CPC Class Codes: F28D 2021/0085 Evaporators
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0253 with multiple channels, e.g. with combined inflow and outflow channels

Abstract

An evaporator connection assembly in an automobile refrigerant system interconnects the inlet and outlet pipes or lines of an evaporator to supply and suction lines for connection to the condenser and compressor. The assembly utilizes a connection block comprising two halves, namely a plate and block. The block is fixedly connected to the evaporator pipes and the plate is connected to the supply and suction lines. The two halves are thereafter secured to one another. Planar seal surfaces are provided between the block and plate for receiving a sealing washer.

Claims

1. In an evaporator connection assembly for connection of an evaporator to a condenser and compressor, and said assembly having:

supply and return lines operatively connected to a condenser and compressor;

evaporator lines for connection with the evaporator;

connection means for receiving and sealingly interconnecting said evaporator lines and said supply and return lines; and

said connection means comprising plate means for receiving said supply and return lines block means for receiving said evaporator lines, and securing means for securing said plate means against said block means for sealingly allowing communication of fluid between said evaporator lines and said supply and return lines the improvement comprising;

said plate means including first and second sides, and having an aperture therethrough for fixedly receiving at least one of the supply and return lines and an opening to receive the other of the supply and return lines at said first side thereof, said plate means having raised faces circumferentially about said aperture and said opening on said second side;

said block means having first and second surfaces, and a pair of passages therethrough for fixedly receiving said evaporator lines at said first surface, and providing a pair of planar seal seats extending about said passages at said second surface thereof wherein a gap is provided between said raised faces and said seal seats for allowing visual inspection of said sealing means therebetween; and

sealing means providing first and second opposing parallel surfaces for sealing between said raised faces and said seal seats.

2. In an evaporator connection assembly for connection of an evaporator to a condenser and compressor, and said assembly having:

supply and return lines operatively connected to a condenser and compressor;

evaporator lines for connection with the evaporator;

connection means for receiving and sealingly interconnecting said evaporator lines and said supply and return lines; and

said connection means comprising plate means for receiving said supply and return lines block means for receiving said evaporator lines, and securing means for securing said plate means against said block means for sealingly allowing communication of fluid between said evaporator lines and said supply and return lines the improvement comprising;

said plate means including first and second sides, and having an aperture therethrough for fixedly receiving at least one of the supply and return lines and an opening to receive the other of the supply and return lines at said first side thereof;

said plate means having raised faces circumferentially about said aperture and said opening on said second side;

said block means having first and second surfaces, and a pair of passages therethrough for fixedly receiving said evaporator lines at said first surface, and providing a pair of planar seal seats extending about said passages at said second surface thereof;

sealing means providing first and second opposing parallel flat surfaces for sealing between said raised faces and said seal seats; and

said raised faces have a face diameter and said sealing means includes a seal diameter wherein said face diameter is greater than the diameter of said seal diameter, and

said raised faces having essentially concentrically parallel microscopic surface disparities as a consequence of having been fabricated using a cutting tool establishing line contact with the sealing surfaces of said raised faces.