Patent Abstract:
An automobile climate control system has a coolant dispersing device to allow coolant to flow. A heat exchanger cools the coolant. A manifold block allows the coolant to transfer between the coolant dispersing device and the heat exchanger. The manifold block is in communication with the heat exchanger and the coolant dispersing device. At least one separately formed clasp is fixedly mounted to the manifold block. The at least one clasp has separate legs to fixedly mount the at least one clasp to the heat exchanger. The at least one clasp has a first flange member. A first end of the first flange member is fixedly mounted to an aperture in the manifold block.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the art of automobile climate control systems, and more particularly, to a system, method, and apparatus for connecting the components of the climate control system to a manifold block of a condenser via a fitting clasp having a flange. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Automotive climate control systems are well known in the art. Automobiles typically utilize climate control systems to absorb and dissipate heat from inside a passenger cabin to the outside of the automobile. In such systems, a manifold block connects the condenser manifold to both a compressor and an expansion valve. The manifold block connects the compressor to the condenser and the condenser to an evaporator, so that refrigerant can flow between them. Refrigerant at high temperature and high pressure in vapor form flows through the pipes from the compressor to the condenser, via the condenser manifold. In the condenser, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant in vapor form is condensed to form refrigerant in high temperature high pressure liquid form. Then, the liquid is passed through an expansion valve. The valve restricts the flow of the refrigerant, lowering the pressure of the liquid forming low pressure low temperature liquid. This liquid refrigerant is then passed through the evaporator, where heat from the passenger cabin is absorbed as the refrigerant liquid evaporates. The resulting low pressure low temperature refrigerant flows to the compressor, which pressurizes the refrigerant to form high pressure high temperature vapor, repeating the process. 
     In such systems, the manifold block may be coupled to the condenser manifold via a clasp that is physically part of the manifold block. When the manifold block is coupled to the condenser manifold, the clasp is typically soldered or brazed to the condenser manifold. However, it is relatively inefficient for the fitting clasp to be a molded part of the manifold block, because if the fitting clasp is damaged or bent in any way before being soldered or coupled in any way to the condenser, the entire manifold block may be unusable. Also, the fitting clasp is susceptible to breakage after soldering, because it is only soldered/brazed to the condenser manifold at certain points. In other words, only a portion of the surface of the fitting clasp is soldered/brazed to the condenser manifold. Moreover, traditional fitting clasps are typically much shorter than the length of the manifold block and therefore may break if the manifold block is subjected to a twisting force. 
     FIG. 1A illustrates a manifold block  5  that has been used in the prior art. When the manifold block is initially manufactured, the side portions  10  utilized to form the claps  20  are the same length as the manifold block  5 . Sections of the side portions  10  must then be machined away to reduce the mass. During machining, the excess portions  15  are cut away. Such a method is wasteful because the excess portions typically must be scrapped. 
     Some systems also solder or braze the fitting clasps on the manifold block, to secure the manifold block to the manifold. In such systems, either the solder or the braze material is typically manually placed onto specific points of the clasps, and then heated up, forming a connection between the clasps and the manifold block, and between the clasps and the condenser manifold. However, such use of solder or braze material can be problematic, because solder or braze material in ring or paste form, is typically placed on the manifold block and the condenser manifold, or the clasps before being heated. Such solder/braze material may be knocked off before heating, or an operator may simply forget to include them. Consequently, the bond between the clasps and the manifold block, or between the clasp and the condenser, is weakened. Furthermore, parts are susceptible to movement during soldering or brazing, leading to higher defect rates. 
     Fitting clasps having flat top and bottom surfaces have been used by systems in the art. When such fitting clasps are placed between the condenser manifold and the manifold block, the refrigerant typically flows through an aperture on at least one of the fitting clasps. However, since the fitting clasp is flat, if the entire top and bottom are not fully bonded with each of the condenser manifold and the manifold block via braze material or solder, there is a possibility that the refrigerant can leak from the un-bonded location. To minimize this problem, prior art designs utilize a “sleeve” to connect the manifold block to the condenser manifold. The sleeve is a piece of metal used to line up an output aperture of the manifold block with an aperture on the condenser manifold so that refrigerant can flow between the condenser manifold and the manifold block. The sleeve is physically separate piece from the manifold block and the condenser manifold. However, it is inefficient to use such a sleeve because the sleeve is typically soldered or brazed onto the manifold block and the condenser manifold. As discussed above, the use of such solder or braze can be problematic. 
     Some systems in the prior art also utilize a condenser having a receiver tank. The receiver tank is utilized to hold excess refrigerant flowing out of the condenser. The receiver tank is typically located between the condenser and an expansion valve. The receiver tank can be coupled to the condenser manifold via brackets having an aperture to allow the refrigerant to flow between the condenser manifold and the receiver tank. However, such clasps are often connected via solder to the condenser manifold and the receiver tank. Also, a separate “sleeve” piece is used to line up a hole in the bracket with each of the condenser manifold and the receiver tanks. Consequently, the brackets have deficiencies similar to those of the fitting clasps used to couple manifold blocks to condenser manifolds. 
     The prior art is therefore deficient because solder is used to couple (a) a fitting clasp to a manifold block and a condenser manifold, and (b) brackets to a receiver tank and a condenser manifold. Also, refrigerant may leak when flowing between (a) the manifold block and the condenser manifold, and (b) the receiver tank and the condenser manifold because a separate “sleeve” piece is used to line up an aperture in the bracket or fitting clasps with the respective aperture on the condenser manifold and the bracket and fitting clasp. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A illustrates a manifold block  5  that has been used in the prior art; 
     FIG. 1B shows a general overview of a manifold block coupled to a condenser of an automotive climate control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the manifold block coupled to a condenser manifold according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded close-up view of the manifold block, the fitting clasps, the condenser manifold and a pipe connected to the manifold block according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of top and bottom fitting clasps according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the process by which the fitting clasp is coupled to the condenser manifold and the manifold block according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a manifold block having curved legs coupled to a condenser manifold according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7A illustrates an overview of a condenser coupled to a receiver tank utilized to hold excess refrigerant according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7B illustrates an overview of a receiver tank utilized to hold excess refrigerant that is mounted directly onto a condenser according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7C illustrates an overview of a receiver tank utilized to hold excess refrigerant that is mounted directly onto the side of the condenser facing away from the compressor and the expansion valve according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-away view of a receiver tank coupled to a condenser manifold according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a bracket to couple a receiver tank to a condenser manifold according to an embodiment of the invention of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, fitting clasps couple a manifold block to a condenser manifold. The fitting clasps are coupled to both the manifold block and the condenser manifold by an aluminum clad material having a melting temperature below that of the material forming the manifold block, the fitting clasps, and the condenser manifold. The fitting clasps are made from aluminum clad material, and are then placed in between the manifold block and the condenser manifold. Other embodiments may utilized a copper braze material instead of an aluminum clad material. The entire device is heated to a temperature where the clad material on the outer surface of the fitting claps melts, but the material forming the manifold block, the base material of the fitting clasps, and the condenser manifold does not. After the clad material melts, the entire device is allowed to cool. As the clad material cools, a strong bond is formed, making a sturdy connection between the manifold block, the fitting clasps, and the condenser manifold. Such an embodiment is suitable for use within an automotive climate control system of an automobile, for example. 
     FIG. 1B shows a general overview of a manifold block  105  coupled to a condenser  100 , or a heat exchanger, of a climate control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the automotive climate control system may serve to remove excess heat from inside the passenger cabin of an automobile. A refrigerant, such as Freon, may flow through pipes or tubes of an evaporator, located inside the passenger cabin. As the refrigerant in liquid form flows through the evaporator, it absorbs heat from the passenger cabin as it evaporates into vapor form. A compressor serves to compress the resulting refrigerant to a high temperature, high pressure form. The resulting high pressure, high temperature refrigerant vapor reaches an inlet aperture  115  of the manifold block  105 . Refrigerant vapor flowing through the inlet aperture  115  enters a condenser manifold  110  and the condenser  100 , where it is condensed into liquid form. 
     The condenser  100  is comprised of a plurality of tubes or pipes through which refrigerant may circulate. The tubes or pipes may be formed of a heat conductive material, such as metal. In an embodiment within an automobile, as the automobile is driven, air from outside the automobile comes in contact with the tubes or pipes of the condenser  100 , and absorbs heat from the condenser  100  pipes, effectively cooling the refrigerant contained therein. A compressor pump pumps the refrigerant between the condenser  100  and an evaporator. Once the refrigerant within the pipes of the condenser  100  has condensed back into liquid form, it is connected to an expansion valve through the outlet aperture  120 . The drop in pressure as the refrigerant passes through the expansion valves causes the refrigerant to form into a low pressure, low temperature state. The refrigerant in the low pressure, low temperature form can now be returned to the evaporator, completing the cycle. 
     As shown in FIG. 1B, when the refrigerant is received through the inlet aperture  115  of the manifold block  105 , it flows into the top of the condenser manifold  110 . The refrigerant travels downward through the pipes of the condenser  100 , and condensed refrigerant in the pipes near the bottom of the condenser  100  flows into manifold  110  and through an aperture  125  into a pipe  122 . The refrigerant then is pumped back into the expansion valve through the outlet aperture  120 . Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a manifold block  105  connected near the top of the condenser manifold  110 , the manifold block  105  may be connected to the bottom of the condenser manifold  110 , or in another suitable location on the condenser manifold  110 , in other embodiments. Other embodiments may also include an inlet aperture  115  located above the outlet aperture  120  on the manifold block  105 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the manifold block  105  connected to the condenser manifold  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, two fitting clasps  200  and  205  connect the manifold block  105  to the condenser manifold  110 . The manifold block  105  is located on top of the front vertical face of the condenser manifold  110 . A top fitting clasp  200  has a set of legs  210  that contact the front vertical face of the condenser manifold  110  and extend along the side vertical faces of the condenser manifold  110 . As explained in further detail in the discussion of FIG. 2 below, the top fitting clasp  200  has an aperture that allows refrigerant to flow to the condenser manifold  110  through the aperture in the top fitting clasp  200 , and from the inlet aperture  115  of the manifold block  105 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a bottom fitting clasp  205  is coupled to the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110  at a location below the top fitting clasp  200 . The bottom fitting clasp  205  also has a plurality of legs  210  that serve to couple the manifold block  105  to the condenser manifold  110 . The manifold block  105  has a side aperture  220 , which receives liquid from the bottom of condenser manifold  110  through the aperture  125  and pipe  122 . The liquid may then flow out of the outlet aperture  120 . 
     The legs  210  of the top  200  and bottom  205  clasps fit tightly around the front vertical face and side vertical faces of the condenser manifold  110  and serve to prevent slippage between the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110 . In other embodiments, the vertical face may not be necessary based on the application requirements. Connected to a hole  220  on the bottom side of the manifold block  105  is a pipe  122  that extends to an aperture  125  near the bottom of the condenser manifold  110  (see FIG.  1 ). The metal pipe  122  is utilized to allow refrigerant to flow from the bottom of the condenser  100 . In an embodiment, refrigerant from the compressor enters the manifold block  105  through the inlet aperture  115 . Once inside the manifold block  105 , the refrigerant flows into the condenser manifold  110  through the inlet aperture  115  and down into the condenser  100 . The refrigerant liquid then flows down to the bottom of the condenser  100 . At the bottom, the liquid refrigerant flows back up to the manifold block through the pipe  122  at the aperture  125 . The pipe  122  may be formed of metal, or of any other suitable material. 
     The outlet aperture  120  allows refrigerant to flow from the condenser  100  to the expansion valve. When an automobile or other device utilizing this system is in operation, heated refrigerant gas may flow into the condenser  100  through the inlet aperture  115  and flow throughout the condenser  100  while outside air absorbs heat from the refrigerant. After the refrigerant has flowed through the condenser  100 , the condensed refrigerant may exit the condenser  100  through aperture  125  at the bottom of condenser manifold  110  and flow up through the pipe  122  to side aperture  220  in manifold block  105 . The liquid refrigerant may then flow out of the manifold block via outlet aperture  120 . 
     The top  200  and bottom  205  clasps serve to prevent slippage between the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110 . Although only top  200  and bottom  205  clasps are illustrated in FIG. 2, other embodiments may use more or fewer than two clasps. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each clasp has four “legs”  210 , or metal extensions extending in a direction perpendicular to front face of the clasp. In an embodiment having four legs  210  on each clasp, two legs  210  extend on each side of the clasp, with a space between each leg  210  on each side. Other embodiments may use more or less than four legs  210 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded close-up view of the manifold block  105 , the top and bottom fitting clasps  200  and  205 , the condenser manifold  110  and the pipe  122  connected to the manifold block  105  according to an embodiment of the present invention. A cylindrical flange  305  extends in a direction perpendicular to the top face of the top fitting clasp  200 , in a direction away from the legs  210  as well as in the direction of the legs  210 . The cylindrical flange  305  is a protrusion on both the top and bottom surface of the top fitting clasp  200 , and it features an aperture through which refrigerant may pass when the top fitting clasp  200  is coupled to the condenser manifold  110  and the manifold block  105 . When top fitting clasp  200  is positioned beneath the manifold block  105 , the cylindrical flange  305  extends into the outlet aperture  120 . The condenser manifold  110  also has an aperture  315  near its top through which the refrigerant may flow. The refrigerant flows into the aperture  315 , through the cylindrical flange  305 , from the inlet aperture  115 . The top side of the cylindrical flange  305  extends into the manifold block  105 , and the bottom side extends into the aperture  315  of the manifold  110 , and is bonded at both locations. The top and bottom sides of the cylindrical flange  305  may be formed along the same center line and from a common material sheet (i.e., the same piece of sheet metal). 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the top fitting clasp  200 , including cylindrical flange  305 , and the bottom fitting clasp  205  are all made from an aluminum clad material, and the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110  are formed of an aluminum alloy having a melting temperature higher than that of the cladding portion of the aluminum clad material. In the embodiment, the melting point of the aluminum alloy may be 100 degrees higher than that of the aluminum clad material, for example. The top  200  and bottom  205  fitting clasps are placed underneath the manifold block  105 , and on top of the condenser manifold  110 . The top fitting clasp  200  is positioned so that the cylindrical flange  305  is positioned on top of the aperture  315  in the condenser manifold  110  and underneath the manifold block  105 , and the flange  305  extends into the inlet aperture  115  and into the aperture  315  of the condenser manifold  110 . The manifold block  105 , the top  200  and bottom  205  fitting clasps, and the condenser manifold  110  are then all heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the aluminum clad material, but below that of the aluminum alloy forming the manifold block  105 , the core of the top  200  and bottom  205  fitting clasps, and the condenser manifold  110 . The aluminum clad material melts, and then the condenser manifold  110 , the top  200  and bottom  205  fitting clasps, and the manifold block  105  are allowed to cool. As they cool, the aluminum clad material solidifies and forms a strong bond between the top  200  and bottom  205  fitting clasps, the condenser manifold  110 , and the manifold block  105 , as well as between the cylindrical flange  305  and each of the inlet aperture  115  and the aperture  315  of the manifold  110 . In other embodiments, suitable materials other than aluminum or the aluminum clad material may be utilized. Copper coated steel or plain steel may be such a suitable material. 
     FIG. 3 also illustrates the bottom fitting clasp  205 . In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom fitting clasp  205  has four legs  210 . Other embodiments may use more or fewer than four legs  210 . The bottom fitting clasp  205  has an vertical face  300  that extends in a direction perpendicular to the front face of the bottom fitting clasp  205 , away from the legs  210 . The vertical face  300  has an aperture  310  located around its center. The pipe  122  connects to the aperture  220  through the aperture  310  on the vertical face  300  of the bottom fitting clasp  205 . When the bottom fitting clasp  205  is correctly positioned, the vertical face  300  is bonded to the bottom face of the manifold block  105  via the clad material. When bonded, the vertical face  300  serves to prevent the manifold block  105  from rotating in an angular direction. The clad material from the vertical face  300  forms a leak-free bond with the pipe  122  at the side aperture  220  of the manifold block  105 . 
     When in place, each leg  210  of the top  200  and bottom  205  clasps wrap onto a side of the condenser manifold  110 . When the legs  210  have been coupled to the condenser manifold  110 , they serve to prevent the manifold block  105  from rotating when subjected to an angular force or torque. This is necessary because the metal pipe  122  extending to the bottom of the condenser manifold  110  may break or become dislodged if the manifold block  105  were to rotate in such a direction. The top fitting clasp  200  also has the cylindrical flange  305  through which refrigerant may flow when the top fitting clasp  200  is coupled to the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up view of top  200  and bottom  205  fitting clasps according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical flange  305  of the top fitting clasp  200  extends in a direction perpendicular to the face thereof, extending in a direction away from the legs  210 . The aluminum clad material is used to form the cylindrical flange  305  before the manifold block  105  is positioned on top of it. As discussed above with respect to FIG. 3, during the heating process, the aluminum clad material on the cylindrical flange  305  melts, and is later cooled, forming a strong bond with the structure of the manifold block  105  having the inlet aperture  115 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the process by which the top fitting clasp  200  is coupled to the condenser manifold  110  and the manifold block  105  according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, the top fitting clasp  200  is formed from  500  clad material. The top fitting clasp  200  may be made entirely of clad material. Alternatively, it may consist primarily of a different metal that is coated on all sides with the clad material. In a situation where the condenser manifold  110 , the manifold block  105 , and the core of the top fitting clasp  200  are all formed of an aluminum alloy, the clad material may be an aluminum clad material having a melting point one hundred degrees below that of the aluminum alloy, for example. In other embodiments, the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110  may also be made from clad material. At step  505 , the top fitting clasp  200  is positioned between the manifold block  105  and the condenser manifold  110 . Next, the combination of the top fitting clasp  200 , the manifold block  105 , and the condenser manifold  110  is heated  510  to a predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature is typically above the melting point of the clad material, but below that of the aluminum alloy. Finally, the entire assembly is allowed to cool  515 . As the assembly cools, the clad material solidifies, forming a strong bond between the condenser manifold  110  and the top fitting clasp  200 , and between the manifold block  105  and the top fitting clasp  200 , as well as between the flange  305  and the outlet aperture  115 . 
     In other embodiments, a material other than a clad material may be utilized. For example, plain steel or copper coated steel may be utilized. A copper coated steel clasp may be coupled to a steel manifold  110  by heating in a copper brazing furnace in a manner similar to aluminum. Alternatively, if plain steel is utilized, a brazing paste may be applied onto the upper and lower surfaces of the clasp, and then the assembly may be heated in the copper brazing furnace and allowed to cool. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a manifold block  105  having curved legs  605  coupled to a condenser manifold  110  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, an outlet tube  600  from the compressor may be coupled to the inlet aperture  115  of the condenser manifold  105 . The outlet tube  600  may be used to couple the compressor of the climate control system to the condenser manifold block  105  so that refrigerant can flow from the compressor through the manifold block  105  and into the condenser manifold  110 . 
     As illustrated, the condenser manifold  110  has a curved edge. The curved edge may have a shape similar to a circle or ellipse. The curved legs  605  of the fitting clasp  610  may curve in the same direction as the condenser manifold  110 . When placed on the condenser manifold  110 , the curved legs  605  of the fitting clasp  610  may be coupled to the condenser manifold  110  via a clad material. The fitting clasp  610  may also be coupled to the manifold block  105  via the clad material. The fitting clasp  610  may also include a flange  305 , which may be coupled to the inlet aperture  115  of the manifold block  105  via the clad material or a copper braze material. 
     FIG. 7A illustrates an overview of a condenser coupled to a receiver tank  700  utilized to hold excess refrigerant according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown, the condenser  100  may be coupled to the manifold block  105 . As described above in FIG. 1, the manifold block  105  may be coupled to the condenser manifold  110 . An expansion valve  710  may be coupled to the outlet aperture  120  of the manifold block  105 , and a compressor  705  may be coupled to the inlet aperture  115  of the manifold block  105 . The compressor  705  and the expansion valve  710  may also be coupled to an evaporator  715 . Refrigerant cycles through the system during the cooling process. 
     The condenser  100  may include a liquefied form of the refrigerant. The refrigerant may be in liquid form because high temperature and high pressure refrigerant coming from the compressor is condensed into liquid form after heat is released via the condenser  100 . The liquefied refrigerant may cycle through the pipes or tubes of the condenser  100 , and then out of the condenser  100  via the manifold block  105 , and through the expansion valve  710 . Once the liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve  710 , the pressure and the temperature of the liquid refrigerant drops. The pressure decrease causes the refrigerant to cool down to form a mixture containing a large amount of liquid refrigerant and a small portion of gaseous refrigerant as it enters the evaporator  715 . The mixture of liquid and gaseous refrigerant then flows through the evaporator  715 , absorbing heat from the evaporator  115  as it boils and evaporates. The gaseous refrigerant then flows to the compressor  705 , which greatly increases the pressure on the gaseous refrigerant, causing both the temperature and the pressure of the refrigerant to rise. The high temperature, high pressure gaseous refrigerant then flows back into the condenser  100  through the manifold block  105 . Heat is released from the refrigerant gas as it passes through the condenser  100 , condensing refrigerant gas into liquid form, and the process subsequently repeats itself. 
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 7A includes a receiver tank  700 . The receiver tank  700  may be coupled to the condenser manifold  110  of the condenser  100 . The receiver tank has a function of accumulating excess refrigerant in the condenser  100 . 
     FIG. 7B illustrates an overview of a receiver tank  700  utilized to hold excess refrigerant that is mounted directly onto a condenser  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated manifold block  105  may include an inlet aperture  115  to accept refrigerant from the compressor. However, after the refrigerant cycles through the condenser  100 , it exits the condenser via an outlet in the receiver tank  700 , which is coupled to the expansion valve  710 . 
     FIG. 7C illustrates an overview of a receiver tank  700  utilized to hold excess refrigerant that is mounted directly onto the side of the condenser  100  facing away from the compressor  705  and the expansion valve  710  according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the receiver tank  700  is coupled to a rear manifold  720  on the back end of the condenser  100 . The condenser is shown having a plurality of pipes  725 . The refrigerant typically flows through each of the pipes in one direction. As drawn, a top manifold block  730  and a bottom manifold block  735  are utilized. The top  730  and the bottom  735  manifold block are physically separate. In other embodiments, the top  730  and the bottom  735  manifold block may be coupled together. The refrigerant enters a front manifold  745  through the top manifold block  730 . The refrigerant then flows through the top two pipes  725  to the rear manifold  720 . The refrigerant then flows down the rear manifold until it reaches the next two pipes  725 , through which it flows back to the front manifold  745 . The refrigerant then flows down toward the bottom of the front manifold until it reaches a baffle  740 , which prevents the refrigerant from flowing further down the front manifold  745 , and instead forces the refrigerant to flow back to the rear manifold  720  at the back of the condenser  100 . The baffles  740  may be included in both the front manifold  745  and the rear manifold  720  to ensure the refrigerant flows through as many of the pipes  725  as possible. The baffles  740  may be “crushed” or indented portions of the manifold. As the refrigerant flows down the rear manifold  720 , some of the refrigerant may collect in the receiver tank  700 . After the refrigerant reaches the bottom end of the front manifold  745 , it may flow out the bottom  730  manifold block and into the expansion valve  710  and on into the evaporator  715 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-away view of a receiver tank  700  coupled to a condenser manifold  110  according to an embodiment of the invention. The receiver tank  700  may include one or more sets of brackets  800  to couple the receiver tank  700  to the condenser manifold  110 . Each of the brackets  800  include a cylindrical flange  805  to couple the receiver tank  700  to the condenser manifold  110 . The cylindrical flange  805  may extend into each of the condenser manifold  110  and the receiver tank  700  and bond thereto via a clad material or a copper braze material. The body of the brackets  800  may also be bonded to each of the condenser manifold  110  and the receiver tank  700  via a clad material or a copper braze material. 
     When the receiver tank  700  is coupled to the condenser manifold  110 , refrigerant may flow between the tank  700  and the manifold  110  via apertures in the brackets  800 . Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 shows “3” brackets  800 , other embodiments may use more or fewer than “3” brackets  800 . Also, other embodiments may include some brackets  800  that do not have an aperture through which refrigerant may flow. For example, an alternative embodiment may include “6” brackets to couple the receiver tank  700  to the condenser manifold  110 , but only “4” of which have apertures through which refrigerant may flow. 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a bracket to couple a receiver tank  800  to a condenser manifold  110  according to an embodiment of the invention. The bracket  800  has a cylindrical flange  805  which may extend in directions away from its body. The bracket  800 , including the cylindrical flange  805 , may be coated with a clad material. The bracket  800  may be placed on the condenser manifold  110 , and its cylindrical flange  805  may extend into an aperture of the condenser manifold  110 . The other end of cylindrical flange  805  may extend into the receiver tank  700 . When properly positioned, the entire assembly may be heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of the clad material, and then allowed to cool. During the cooling process, the clad material forms a bond between the bracket  800  and its cylindrical flange  805  and each of the condenser manifold  110  and the reserve tank  700 . The bracket  800  may also include rivet holes  900 , to which a rivet be placed, so that the bracket may be more securely coupled to each of the receiver tank  700  and the condenser manifold  110 . 
     While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5