# US 10,118,244 B2 · Weld structure for refrigerant circuit component and welding method for refrigerant circuit component

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,118,244 B2
- Document ID: US10118244B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/441,039
- Filed: 2013-09-06
- Published: 2015-10-15
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2012-12-21
- Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho
- Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho
- Inventors: Yoshihiro Hamabe; Takuro Ishikawa
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118244B2

## CPC

- B23K 11/14: Projection welding
- G01L 19/003: {using a detachable interface or adapter between the process medium and the pressure gauge}
- G01L 19/0627: {Protection against aggressive medium in general}
- B23K 2101/06: Tubes
- B23K 2103/05: {Stainless steel}
- B23K 2103/22: Ferrous alloys and copper or alloys thereof
- F16L 41/082: {Non-disconnectable joints, e.g. soldered, adhesive or caulked joints}
- F16L 41/084: {Soldered joints}
- B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G)
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL

## Abstract

In a refrigerant circuit component or valve device, the present invention projection-welds a connector to a cap member and prevents intrusion of spatter into a refrigerant circuit. A-cylinder section in which an inside hole of the connector is open is inserted in an inside hole formed in the center of the cap member. The area between the A-cylinder section and a projection of the connector is used as a spatter generation space. The projection of the connector abuts against the cap member and is projection-welded to form a welded part. The open end of the inside hole of the A-cylinder section is crimped to pressure-join the open end to the open end of the inside hole of the cap member. Spatter is sealed inside the spatter generation space. A portion of the surface layer to which the generated spatter adheres may be removed by machining to provide a spatter-removed structure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A joining method for use with a refrigerant circuit component, the refrigerant circuit component including a connecting member and a casing part, which are joined to each other by projection welding, the connecting member having an inner hole connected to a pipe of a refrigerant circuit, and the casing part having an inner hole that communicates with the pipe via the inner hole of the connecting member, the joining method comprising:
joining the casing part with the connecting member by projection welding such that a welded portion extends around an entire outer periphery of the inner hole of the casing part with a first gap being left between the welded portion and the inner hole of the casing part, and such that the welded portion extends around an entire outer periphery of the inner hole of the connecting member with a second gap being left between the welded portion and the inner hole of the connecting member; and
crimping an opening end of one of the casing part and the connecting member around the inner hole thereof toward an opening end of the other of the casing part and the connecting member around the inner hole thereof to pressure-join the opening ends of the casing part and the connecting member and seal a spatter generation space inside the welded portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The joining method of claim 1 wherein the connecting member includes a flat portion and an annular projection that extends outwardly from the flat portion and is radially spaced from the inner hole of the connecting member, and wherein the step of joining the casing part with the connecting member includes welding the casing part and the connecting member at the projection, and wherein the spatter generation space is defined between the projection and the inner hole.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The joining method of claim 2 wherein the casing part inner hole is defined by an opening end of the casing part, and the opening end of the casing part extends radially inwardly beyond the projection but does not engage the connecting member during the projection welding step.