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US 11,453,267 B2Granted
Integrated heat pump bundled module mounting manifold
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsManfred Koberstein, Loren John Lohmeyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle HVAC system including a heat pump system. The heat pumps system including a refrigerant module mounting manifold, the manifold including a first plate and a second plate. The first plate and the second plate are configured to couple together such that together they define a plurality of channels for directing the flow of refrigerant through the heat pump system. One or more auxiliary modules are fluidly coupled to the refrigerant module mounting manifold.
Claims20
A refrigerant manifold comprising:
- a first plate;
- and
- a second plate coupled with the first plate to define a plurality of channels for directing a flow of refrigerant through the refrigerant manifold, wherein the first plate and the second plate define a plurality of plugs and a plurality of sockets, and wherein the plurality of sockets are configured to couple to the plurality of plugs such that the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs together define the plurality of channels for directing the flow of refrigerant, the plurality of channels being integrally formed into the plurality of plugs and the plurality of sockets, and wherein the plurality of channels direct the flow of refrigerant through the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs, and
- wherein a coupling of the plurality of plugs to the plurality of sockets provides a retaining force configured to at least partially couple the first plate to the second plate.
1 more element
A heat pump system comprising:
- a manifold for directing refrigerant flow through the system, the manifold comprising:
- a first plate, wherein the first plate further comprises a first plurality of grooves;
- a second plate coupled to the first plate, wherein the second plate further comprises a second plurality of grooves, and wherein the first plurality of grooves and the second plurality of grooves together at least partially define a plurality of channels configured to direct the flow of refrigerant through the system;
- a plurality of plugs and a plurality of sockets defined on the first plate and the second plate, wherein the plurality of sockets are configured to couple to the plurality of plugs such that the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs together at least partially define the plurality of channels for directing the flow of refrigerant, the plurality of channels being at least partially integrally formed into the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs, and wherein the plurality of channels direct the flow of refrigerant through the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs, and wherein a coupling of the plugs to the sockets provides a retaining force configured to at least partially couple the first plate to the second plate;
- and
- a manifold module integrally formed with one of the first plate and the second plate;
- and
- an auxiliary module fluidly coupled to the manifold.
5 more elements
A vehicle comprising:
- a heat pump system comprising:
- a refrigerant manifold comprising a first plate and a second plate wherein the first plate defines a first plurality of grooves, and wherein the second plate defines a second plurality of grooves, and wherein the first plate and the second plate coupled together at least partially define a plurality of channels from the first plurality of grooves and the second plurality of grooves, and wherein the plurality of channels are configured to direct a flow of refrigerant through the heat pump system;
- a plurality of plugs and sockets defined on the first plate and the second plate, wherein the plurality of sockets and configured to couple to the plurality of plugs such that the plurality of sockets and plurality of plugs together at least partially define the plurality of channels for directing the flow of refrigerant, the plurality of channels being at least partially integrally formed into the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs, and wherein the plurality of channels direct the flow of refrigerant through the plurality of sockets and the plurality of plugs, and wherein the a coupling of the plugs to the sockets provides an interface with a friction force, and wherein the friction force provides a retaining force configured to at least partially coupled the first plate to the second plate;
- and p1 an auxiliary module fluidly coupled to the refrigerant manifold.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.