Patent ID: 6968710

Claim:
A sonic nozzle assembly for use in refrigeration systems, comprising: a conduit; a selectively movable sonic nozzle having: a body portion defined by a first opening on one end of said body portion and a second opening on an opposite end of said body portion; said first opening having a first predetermined diameter; said second opening having a second predetermined diameter; an aperture extending through said body portion and connecting said first opening to said second opening; wherein said aperture has a first tapered section and a second tapered section and said first tapered section has a shorter length than said second tapered section; said first tapered section positioned adjacent to said first opening and converging inwardly to a throat portion having a third predetermined diameter at a first predetermined angle; said second tapered section diverging from said third predetermined diameter at a second predetermined angle said second predetermined diameter that terminates at said second opening; a by-pass flow area formed between an outer diameter of said sonic nozzle and an inner diameter of said conduit in which said sonic nozzle is placed such that said nozzle may selectively move relative to said conduit in response to a predetermined pressure drop; a biasing spring positioned adjacent said second opening of said sonic nozzle and cooperating with said sonic nozzle to limit movement of said sonic nozzle when in use; and at least one spring shoulder positioned within said conduit to retain said biasing spring under tension; the spring biases the sonic nozzle to by-pass the flow of refrigerant through the by-pass flow area.