# US 5,706,853 A · Valve, especially a thermostatic expansion valve > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,706,853 A - Document ID: US5706853A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/704,562 - Filed: 1996-09-10 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1994-03-25 - Assignees: Danfoss A/S - Inventors: Allan R.o slashed.nnow; Anders Vestergaard; Jens Erik Rasmussen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706853A ## CPC - F25B 41/335: via diaphragms - Y10T 137/7782: With manual or external control for line valve - Y10T 137/7797: Bias variable during operation - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A valve, especially a thermostatic expansion valve, has a setpoint spring which bears on a plate having a sloping face. A setpoint adjusting device is provided in a housing connecting tube. The adjusting device has a pressure-applying piece having a contact face engaging the sloping face, is secured against rotation and has a threaded bore. An adjusting screw which is supported on the connecting tube against axial displacement engages in this threaded bore. In this construction, the connecting tube requires no machining. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thermostatic expansion valve having a housing with an inlet and an outlet, a valve seat interposed between the inlet and outlet, a closure member that is movable by a force of a working element against the combination of a force of a setpoint spring and fluid pressure in the housing, said setpoint spring being supported by an axially guided plate with a sloping face, and further having a setpoint spring adjusting device housed in a lateral connecting tube that is attached to said housing, said setpoint spring adjusting device comprising a pressure-applying piece with means to secure against rotation and having a contact face and an adjusting screw with means to secure against displacement, said contact face engaging said sloping face of said axially guided plate, said pressure applying piece having a threaded bore wherein a shank of the adjusting screw is engaged, the rotation of the adjusting screw causing the axial movement of the pressure-applying piece radially relative to a central axis of the guided plate and resulting in adjustment of the setpoint spring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the connecting tube is in the form of a shaped sheet metal part. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the connecting tube comprises a substantially cylindrical tube. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the pressure-applying piece includes at least one longitudinal groove, the connecting tube having an indentation engaging the groove. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, including a sealing washer surrounding a head of the adjusting screw, the sealing washer being maintained in place by a flange on the head and by an annular limiting disc positioned against the head and held in place by an indentation in the connecting tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the connecting tube has an outer end having a bushing against which a head of the adjusting screw bears. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A valve according to claim 6, in which the bushing is retained in position by indentations in the connecting tube wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A valve according to claim 6, in which the head of the adjusting screw has a hexagon socket which is smaller than the internal diameter of the bushing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) A valve according to claim 6, in which the bushing has an internal thread, and including a sealing screw having a shank engaging the internal thread, the sealing screw having a head pressing an annular sealing washer against an outer end face of the connecting tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A valve according to claim 9, in which the head of the sealing screw is hexagonal and has a hexagon socket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the connecting tube has a flange with impressed weld buttons with which it is welded to the base housing, the buttons creating a space between the flange and the base housing, the space being filled with solder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the connecting tube is deep-drawn. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A valve according to claim 1, in which the pressure-applying piece is sintered. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) A valve according to claim 6, in which the adjusting screw and the bushing are manufactured by cold flow methods. ### Claim 15 (depends on 5) A valve according to claim 5, in which the annular limiting disc is a stamped part. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) A valve according to claim 9, in which the sealing washer is a stamped part.