Expansion assembly for heat exchanger

Abstract

An expansion assembly for use with a heat exchanger includes a block thermal expansion valve; and a distributor directly connected to the block thermal expansion valve; wherein the distributor comprises a tube having a plurality of openings formed therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expansion assembly for use with a heat exchanger, the expansion assembly comprising:
 a block thermal expansion valve; and   a distributor directly connected to the block thermal expansion valve;   wherein the distributor comprises a tube having a plurality of openings formed therein.   
     
     
         2 . The expansion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor is configured for placement within a manifold of the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         3 . The expansion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a housing of the block thermal expansion valve and the distributor are made from the same material. 
     
     
         4 . The expansion assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the housing of the block thermal expansion valve and the distributor are made from aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . The expansion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distributor is directly connected to the block thermal expansion valve by at least one of press fitting, brazing and adhesives. 
     
     
         6 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an expansion assembly including a block thermal expansion valve and a distributor directly connected to the block thermal expansion valve;   a first manifold, the distributor positioned within the first manifold;   a second manifold configured to receive refrigerant from the first manifold; and   a conduit fluidly connecting the second manifold to the block thermal expansion valve.   
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the distributor comprises a tube having a plurality of openings formed therein. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein a housing of the block thermal expansion valve and the distributor are made from the same material. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein the housing of the block thermal expansion valve and the distributor are made from aluminum. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the distributor is directly connected to the block thermal expansion valve by at least one of press fitting, brazing and adhesives. 
     
     
         11 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the block thermal expansion valve is directly mounted to first manifold. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein the block thermal expansion valve is directly mounted to the first manifold by at least one of press fitting, brazing and adhesives. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein a housing of the block thermal expansion valve, the distributor and the first manifold are made from the same material. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchanger of  claim 13 , wherein the housing of the block thermal expansion valve, the distributor and the first manifold are made from aluminum.