Sensing refrigerant temperature in a thermostatic expansion valve
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorsThomas Francis Glennon, Robert James Torrence
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical refrigerant thermal expansion valve has a sensing port scaled with a cupped shape closure received therein and sealed about the cup rim. A cover assembly is removeably attached to the valve over the cup with a thermistor extending into the cup which is filled with thermally conductive grease for thermal conductivity between the cup and the thermistor. The cover assembly has an electrical connector provided thereon. The thermistor is preferably mounted on printed circuit board potted in the cover which may include electronic signal logic and power switching circuitry.
Claims8
A valve assembly for controlling flow of refrigerant to a heat exchanger comprising:
- (a) body means defining an inlet adapted for receiving pressurized refrigerant, said body means including means for restricting flow and an outlet for discharging flow at a significantly reduced pressure, said outlet adapted for connection to said heat exchanger;
- (b) means defining a continuous passage through said body means, said passage adapted for connection to receive therethrough refrigerant flow discharging from a heat exchanger;
- (c) said body means defining a port communicating exteriorly with said continuation passage;
- (d) means defining a cup shaped closure for said port, said closure sealingly attached thereover with the open end of said cup shape exteriorly thereof;
- (e) thermistor means received in said cup shape and including electrical attachment means accessible exteriorly of said closure and adapted for electrical attachment thereto;
- and,
- (f) a thermally conductive fluidized medium disposed in said cup shape about said thermistor for providing heat-transfer between said cup-shaped closure and said thermistor.
A valve assembly for controlling flow of refrigerant to a heat exchanger comprising:
- (a) body means defining an inlet passage adapted for receiving pressurized refrigerant, said body means including means for restricting flow and an outlet for discharging flow at a significantly reduced pressure, said outlet passages adapted for connection to said heat exchanger;
- (b) means defining a continuous passage through said body means, said passage adapted for connection to receive therethrough refrigerant flow discharging from a heat exchanger;
- (c) said body means defining a sensing port communicating with one of said passages;
- (d) means defining a cup-shaped closure for said sensing port, said closure sealingly attached thereover with the open end of said cup shape exteriorly thereof;
- (e) thermistor means received in said cup shape and including electrical attachment means accessible exteriorly of said closure and adapted for electrical attachment thereto;
- and,
- (f) a thermally conductive fluidized medium disposed in said cup shape about said thermistor for providing heat transfer between said cup shaped closure and said excitement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.