Braze-free connector

A connector for providing a braze-free joint between a refrigerant line and a component part of a refrigeration system, wherein said connector includes:

• a body having a flow passage passing between a first end of the body and a second end of said body;
• means for joining said first end of said body in fluid flow communication with a component part of an air conditioning system;
• an entranceway located at the second end of said body through which a refrigerant line is passed into said passage;
• a radially expanded cavity in said passage that surrounds said refrigerant line, said cavity being filled with a pressure activated adhesive;
• and
• a means for pressure activating said adhesive whereby a leak tight joint is established between the refrigerant line and the connector body.

A method of forming a braze-free connection between a refrigerant line and a component part of an air conditioning system that includes the steps of:

• securing a first end of a flow connector having a central flow passage to a component part of an air conditioning system so that said central passage of the flow connector is in fluid flow communication with said component part;
• surrounding a section of the passage with a radially expanded cavity;
• passing a refrigerant line into a second end of the flow connector so that the line passes through the cavity;
• filling the cavity with a pressure activated adhesive;
• and
• pressure activating said adhesive so that a leak tight connection is formed between the refrigerant line and the connector.