Patent ID: 6189333
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: F16L,F25B

Abstract:
In an automotive air conditioning system block fitting of the type having a liquid refrigerant supply line a cylindrical end of which is removably attached to a block bore with a predetermined axial clearance between the terminal edge of the supply line cylindrical end and a botton surface of the block (36), a refrigerant filter removably installed in the end of said liquid supply line (14), comprising,a generally cylindrical filter screen having a closed upstream end and an open down stream end, and an outer diameter less than said supply line;a rigid filter screen support frame surrounding the outside of said filter screen and having a cylindrical end plug that makes a close press fit within the cylindrical end of said supply line and an annular collar on said plug having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said supply line terminal edge, with the axial thickness of said annular collar being not greater than said predetermined axial clearance and extending radially outwardly far enough to overlap with said supply line terminal edge,whereby said filter can be removably installed within said supply line by inserting said end plug into said supply line cylindrical end until said collar substantially abuts said terminal edge and then attaching said supply line, after which, liquid refrigerant flowing through said supply line is forced to flow through said filter screen, without bypassing around said support frame plug and collar, by virtue of the axial thickness of said collar relative to said axial clearance.