Patent ID: 6374624
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: F16K,F25B

Abstract:
A refrigerant flow-control valve operable between a no-flow condition and a flow condition, said valve comprising:a body having an inlet and an outlet and forming a refrigerant passageway extending from said inlet to said outlet, said passageway having a restriction and a valve flow passage adapted such that refrigerant flows through said valve flow passage and said restriction generally in series, said restriction located upstream from said valve flow passage; a restrictor located within the passageway of the body and forming the restriction, said restriction axially extending entirely through the restrictor and generally coaxial with the passageway, said restrictor being separate from the body and secured to the body to prevent movement relative to the body, said restrictor having an outer surface sealingly engaging the body to prevent refrigerant flow therebetween; a stop located entirely within the passageway of the body and forming the valve flow passage, said stop being spaced apart and downstream from the restrictor, said stop being separate from the body and secured to the body to prevent movement relative to the body, said stop having an outer surface sealingly engaging the body to prevent refrigerant flow therebetween; wherein said refrigerant passage has a generally constant diameter from an inlet of the restrictor to an outlet of the stop; a valve element within said body and movable between a first position closing said valve flow passage to generally prevent refrigerant flow therethrough and through said passageway and a second position opening said valve flow passage to permit refrigerant flow therethrough and through said passageway; a plunger carrying said valve element and movable between said restrictor and said stop; a biasing member within said body and resiliently urging said valve element into said first position; and a valve actuator adapted to selectively move said valve element to said second position in response to a control signal supplied thereto.