More specifically, the invention is directed to a manifold assembly that regulates the flow of fluid in heating and cooling equipment, such as a heat pump system.

In known heat pump systems, bi-flow thermal expansion valves are used to meter a fluid, such as a refrigerant, to a remote distributor with capillary tubes to feed the evaporator and the condenser coils in the system. Some prior art systems use fixed restrictors staked in the legs of manifolds in each evaporator and condenser coil. Each restrictor leg manifold is then connected with a valve to a non-restrictor leg manifold also attached to the evaporator and condenser coils so that when the reverse flow occurs, the proper regulation or metering is achieved for each respective refrigerant flow direction.

The present invention has many advantages over prior art manifold assemblies. First, the present invention provides a single manifold assembly for cooling. Second, the present invention provides for optimum refrigerant-to-coil surface transfer. This allows for the reduction in the size of the coil. These advantages decrease the amount of material needed in the heat pump system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The manifold assembly of the present invention includes a body defining a first passageway for flow of a fluid in a first direction and a second direction. The assembly further includes at least one connecting tube positioned adjacent the body. The tube defines a second passageway for flow of the fluid in the first and second directions. The

first and second passageways are in communication with one another. The assembly further includes a regulation device positioned in the second fluid passageway of the connecting tube. The regulating device regulates flow of the fluid through the first and second passageways in the first and second directions.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a manifold assembly that can regulate the flow of fluid in a first direction and a second direction.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a manifold assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment manifold assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a regulating device according to the present invention which is positioned in a connecting tube; and Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment manifold assembly according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments and best mode of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the drawings. The manifold assembly of the present invention is indicated generally in the drawings by the reference number"10".

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the manifold assembly 10 includes a body 12 having an open end 14, a closed end 16 and a plurality of

connecting tube openings 18. The body 12 defines a first passageway 20 that extends between the open and closed ends 14 and 16. The first passageway 20 is in communication with the connecting tube openings 18. The first passageway 20 allows for flow of a fluid, such as a refrigerant, in a first direction as shown by an arrow 22 and a second reverse direction as shown by an arrow 24.

Referring to Fig. 2, the open end 14 of the body 12 is in communication with, for example, a compressor 26 of a conventional heat pump system. The open end 14 is connected to the compressor 26 by, for example, a line or lines 28.

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, the manifold assembly 10 includes a plurality of connecting tubes 30. In the present embodiment, there are nine generally straight connecting tubes 30. However, the number and shape of the connecting tubes can vary depending on the type of system used with the assembly 10.

Still referring to Figs. 1 and 2, each of the connecting tubes 30 includes a first end 32 and second end 34. Each of the first and second ends 32 and 34 are open. Each of the connecting tubes 30 defines a second passageway 36 that provides for flow of the refrigerant in the first direction as indicated by the arrow 22 and in the second direction as indicated by the arrow 24.

As shown in Fig. 2, the first ends 32 of the connecting tubes 30 are mounted on the body 12 at their respective connective tube openings 18. This allows for fluid communication between the first and second passageways 20 and 36. The second ends 34 of the connecting tubes 30 are directly connected to, for example, a condenser or an evaporator coil 38 of the conventional heat pump system. As it will be appreciated, this will allow for flow of the refrigerant between the compressor 26 and the coil 38 through the body 12 and connecting tubes 30 of the assembly 10.

Referring to Fig. 3, a regulating device 40 is positioned in each of the second passageways 36 of the connecting tubes 30. The regulating device 40 regulates flow of the refrigerant through the first and second passageways 20 and 36 in the first and second directions as indicated by the arrows 22 and 24. As shown in Fig. 3, the regulating device 40 is positioned in the connecting tube 30 at a narrowed midpoint portion 42 between the first and second ends 32 and 34.

Referring to Fig. 3, the regulating device 40 includes a cartridge 44 having an exterior surface 46, an interior surface 48, a first cartridge end 50 and a second cartridge end 52. The exterior surface 46 is adapted to snugly engage the connecting tube 30 in order to maintain the regulating device 40 in the second passageway 36.

Still referring to Fig. 3, the interior surface 48 defines a cartridge fluid passageway 54 extending between the first and second cartridge ends 50 and 52. The cartridge fluid passageway 54 includes a fluid portion 56 and a restrictor portion 58. The restrictor portion 58 has a larger diameter than the fluid portion 56. The interior surface 48 defines a restrictor shoulder 60 in the restrictor portion 58 adjacent the fluid portion 56.

As shown in Fig. 3, the first cartridge end 50 is adapted to receive a filter 62 to filter the refrigerant as it flows through the second passageway 36. The second cartridge end 52 is adapted to receive a restrictor washer 64.

Still referring to Fig. 3, the regulating device 40 further includes a restrictor 70 having a restrictor exterior surface 72, a restrictor interior surface 74, a restrictor first end 76 and a restrictor second end 78. The restrictor exterior surface 72 defines a contoured surface that corresponds to the shape of the restrictor portion 58 of the cartridge fluid passageway 54. The restrictor 70 includes longitudinally extending projections 80 that are in sliding engagement with the interior surface 48 of the cartridge 44. The restrictor first end 76 is adapted to engage the

restrictor shoulder 60. The restrictor second end 78 is adapted to engage the restrictor washer 64. Accordingly, the restrictor 70 is moveable in the longitudinal direction in the restrictor portion 58 of the cartridge fluid passageway 54 between the restrictor shoulder 60 and the restrictor washer 64.

As shown in Fig. 3, the restrictor interior surface 74 defines an orifice 82 that extends longitudinally between the restrictor first end 76 and the restrictor second end 78. The orifice 82 is calibrated by having a predetermined size depending on the use of the assembly 10.

As shown in Fig. 3, when refrigerant is flowing through the second passageway 36 in the first direction as indicated by the arrow 22, the restrictor 70 moves in the first direction until the restrictor first end 76 engages the restrictor shoulder 60. This engagement prevents flow of the refrigerant around the restrictor exterior surface 72. Accordingly, the only flow path is through the calibrated orifice 82. When the refrigerant moves in the second direction, as indicated by the arrow 24, the restrictor 70 moves in the second direction until it engages the washer 64. This allows for the free-flow of the refrigerant around and through the restrictor 70 in the second direction.

In a preferred embodiment, the body 12 and the connecting tubes 30 are constructed of copper. The cartridge 44, the restrictor 70 and the restrictor washer 64 are constructed of brass. It should be understood that other materials can be used depending on the use of the assembly 10.

Referring to Fig. 4, a second embodiment manifold assembly 110 is shown. The assembly 110 includes all of the elements previously described with respect to the first embodiment assembly 10. However, the second embodiment assembly 110 includes seven generally straight connecting tubes 30 and two generally curved connecting tubes 30a.

The connecting tubes 30a have been adapted for a particular type coil

38. The function of the connecting tubes 30a are the same as for the connecting tubes 30.

The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.