Front-end integral air-conditioning unit

Abstract

A sub-unit for a vehicle air conditioning system is shipped with a condenser, chiller and fluid lines. Snap together couplings are placed on free ends of the fluid lines whereby the sub-unit can be pre-charged, shipped, installed into the front end of a vehicle engine compartment and connected to an air conditioning compressor.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A method of fabricating and shipping a sub-unit for a refrigerant circuit of the type including a condenser, an evaporator coupled to the condenser, a high pressure fluid line coupled to the condenser and extending to a free end, and a low pressure fluid line coupled to the chiller and extending to a free end, said method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a valve unit on each of the ends for retaining a refrigerant in the sub-unit; and    charging the sub-unit with the refrigerant through one of the valve units.    
     
     
         14 . A method for fabricating and shipping a sub-unit as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising the step of shipping the sub-unit with the refrigerant retained therein.  
     
     
         15 . A method for fabricating and shipping a sub-unit as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising the step of inserting the sub-unit into an engine compartment of a vehicle.  
     
     
         16 . A method for fabricating and shipping a sub-unit as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising the step of inserting a compressor having connectors into the engine compartment of a vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . A method for fabricating and shipping a sub-unit as set forth in  claim 16  further comprising the step of snapping a connector to each of the valve units for establishing an open position between the lines and the connector.