Improved integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement

Abstract

The invention relates to an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1) that compises a housing (2), a throttling valve (9) with a throttling valve inlet port (5) and a throttling valve outlet port (7), a fluid throughput conduit (20) with a fluid throughput conduit inlet port (28) and a fluid throughput conduit outlet port (29). The integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1) further comprises a thermostatic actuator (16) that is thermally coupled to the fluid throughput conduit (20), wherein the thermostatic actuator (16) actuates the throttling valve (9) by means of a shaft member (12). The throttling valve (9) is arranged within the housing (2). The fluid throughput conduit (20) comprises at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections (38a, 38b, 39) in the vicinity of the shaft member (12).

Description

[0001] DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0002] 5 December 2025

[0003] - 1 -

[0004] Improved integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0005] The invention relates to an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement comprising a housing, a throttling valve, a fluid throughput conduit, and a thermostatic actuator.

[0006] Thermal expansion valve arrangements are regularly used in the field of refrigeration cycles and heat pump cycles. In such thermal energy transfer cycles, a refrigerant is pumped around in a closed conduit. The fluid is compressed by means of a compressor and expanded by an expansion valve, throttle orifice or the like. The latent heat that occurs during a phase change of the refrigerant (evaporation and condensation) is received and released by appropriate heat exchangers, namely by an evaporator and a condenser. This way, heat can be transferred from one point to another, even against a thermal gradient.

[0007] To increase the effectivity and the efficiency of the heat transfer cycle, it is well known in the prior art to measure the temperature of the refrigerant when it leaves the evaporator. In particular, the refrigerant should be essentially fully evaporated (no liquid refrigerant should leave the evaporator) on one hand, but should not have been heated up significantly over the evaporation point on the other hand (which would indicate that the point where the last liquid refrigerant has been evaporated inside of the evaporator is somewhat distant from the evaporator's output port), so that the maximum use of the evaporator can be made, while protecting the com pressor from ingesting liquid refrigerant (which could increase the wear of the compressor, and could even cause damage thereof). The temperature at the exit of the evaporator and / or the point, where the last liquid refrigerant is present in the evaporator (those two parameters usually do correlate with each other), can be influenced by varying the pressure in the section of the refrigeration cycle between the expansion DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0008] 5 December 2025

[0009] - 2 - device and the compressor (as seen in the flow direction of the refrigerant). This pressure is usually mainly controlled by the compressor. The expansion valve, in turn, allows a pressure difference to be present between the two main sides of the refrigeration cycle. Furthermore, it controls the inflow of refrigerant to the evaporator by opening or closing the size of the orifice of the expansion device.

[0010] A well-established control idea for controlling the size of the orifice of the expansion device is the use of thermostatic actuators. Such actuators change in size, volume, thickness, length or the like depending on the temperature at / of the thermostatic actuator. The mechanical change of the thermostatic actuator will be transmitted by means of a mechanical connection to the expansion valve itself, in a way to increase or reduce the size of the orifice of the expansion valve.

[0011] A well-known design type is the use of a sensor bulb with a closed inner volume that contains a gas and / or a gas / liquid mixture. Depending on the temperature of the bulb, a stronger or weaker force will be acting on a membrane member, which in turn translates into a linear movement of an actuating rod that actuates the expansion valve. An advantage of this design is that the sensor bulb and the expansion valve can be separated by a significant distance, where this distance may be bridged by an elastic hose- or tube-like fluid connection between the bulb and the throttle valve. This can be advantageous for certain setups of the heat transfer cycle. A disadvantage, however, is that the tube- or hose-like connection between the bulb and thermostatic actuator is prone to breaks and kinks.

[0012] Therefore, so-called integrated thermal expansion valve arrangements have already been proposed. Here, the thermal sensor / thermostatic actuator and the expansion valve are arranged within a common housing. These DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0013] 5 December 2025

[0014] - 3 - arrangements are usually more reliable. An example of such a design is disclosed in CN 100441924 A1 , as an example.

[0015] A disadvantage of such designs is the so far massive design of the common housing. Therefore, a lot of material is used, resulting in an accordingly heavy and expensive housing / integrated thermal expansion valve. Another disadvantage is that there is a usually significant transfer of heat between the sensing part (arranged between the evaporator and the compressor, as seen in the direction of refrigerant flow) and the throttling part (between the compressor and the evaporator, as seen in the direction of refrigerant flow). These two sections typically show a significant temperature difference, so that a strong thermal gradient over a short distance is present. This leads to noticeable losses in efficiency of the resulting heat pump / refrigeration cycle.

[0016] It is therefore obvious that there is a desire for an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement that is cheaper and / or less heavy and / or that shows a reduced amount of intrinsic heat transfer between the various parts of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement.

[0017] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement that comprises a housing, a throttling valve with a throttling valve inlet port and a throttling valve outlet port, a fluid throughput conduit with a fluid throughput conduit inlet port and fluid throughput conduit outlet port and a thermostatic actuator, wherein the thermostatic actuator is thermally coupled to the fluid throughput conduit in a way that the thermostatic actuator actuates the throttling valve by means of shaft member, wherein the throttling valve is arranged within the housing that is improved over such integrated thermal expansion valve arrangements as they are known in the state-of-the-art. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0018] 5 December 2025

[0019] - 4 -

[0020] An integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement according to claim 1 solves this object.

[0021] It is proposed to design an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement that comprises a housing, a throttling valve with a throttling valve inlet port and a throttling valve outlet port, a fluid throughput conduit with a fluid throughput conduit inlet port and a fluid throughput conduit outlet port, and a thermostatic actuator, wherein the thermostatic actuator is thermally coupled to the fluid throughput conduit and the thermostatic actuator actuates the throttling valve by means of a shaft member, wherein the throttling valve is arranged within the housing, in a way that the fluid throughput conduit comprises at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections in the vicinity of the shaft member, wherein at least one of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections flows around a basic housing body.

[0022] It is to be noted that, while it is preferred that the feature that at least one of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections flows around a basic housing body is preferred, this feature may be omitted as well. Hence, an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement that comprises a housing, a throttling valve with a throttling valve inlet port and a throttling valve outlet port, a fluid throughput conduit with a fluid throughput conduit inlet port and a fluid throughput conduit outlet port, and a thermostatic actuator, wherein the thermostatic actuator is thermally coupled to the fluid throughput conduit and the thermostatic actuator actuates the throttling valve by means of a shaft member, wherein the throttling valve is arranged within the housing, and wherein the fluid throughput conduit comprises at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections in the vicinity of the shaft member might be claimed independently and / or in combination with other other presently disclosed features. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0023] 5 December 2025

[0024] - 5 -

[0025] It is to be noted that the fluid conduit of the throttling valve and the fluid conduit of the fluid throughput conduit are usually (essentially) fluidly separated from each other. In other words, the fluid that is entering the throttling valve inlet port will (essentially) exit the housing through the throttling valve outlet port (after having passed through the throttling valve device) while the fluid that is entering through the fluid throughput conduit inlet port will (essentially) exit the housing through the fluid throughput conduit outlet port. This does not exclude the possibility for a certain leakage between the two conduits (throttling valve conduit and fluid throughput conduit; possibly other conduits as well). In particular, it might be acceptable to allow a certain fluid crosstalk between the conduits so as to be able to simplify the design of the sealing means, make the sealing means cheaper and / or to cause less friction by the sealing means. The housing is typically a common housing of (at least) the fluid throughput conduit and the throttling valve / throttling valve conduit and possibly (at least in part) of the thermostatic actuator. Usually, the thermostatic actuator member is connected on one side to the (common) housing. I.e., at least according to certain embodiments, a part of the thermostatic actuator is not enclosed by the (common) housing, but instead is visible / accessible from the outside.

[0026] The throttling valve itself might be of any design that is around in the present art (and possibly will be suggested in the future). Typically, the throttling valve will comprise a movable valve / movable valve member / movable valve poppet that can be moved closer to and / or moved away from a valve seat. The distance between the movable valve poppet and the valve seat will then define the effectively availably size of the fluid throughput orifice or the opening degree of the fluid throughput orifice. Typically, the throttling valve will show a linear movability of the valve poppet. However, different designs may be used as well, for example a rotary design, were the valve poppet might be (at least in part) rotated relative to the valve seat, as an example. Typically, a single valve (a single valve head / valve poppet and a single valve seat) will be used. However, it is possible that a plurality of valve heads / valve seats might be used DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0027] 5 December 2025

[0028] - 6 - as well. In particular, the throttling valve may be designed and arranged in a way that it is biased towards a certain position. This certain position might be a closing position, an opening position or a middle position. The biasing might be adjustable, so that various setpoints may be achieved. The adjustment of the setpoint may be realised manually (for example for calibrating the integrated thermal expansion valve after manufacture at the manufacturing site), or may be adjustable using an actuator, so that various setpoints can be easily achieved, even during use of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement. Each one or even a plurality of the various parts (throttling valve inlet port and / or throttling valve outlet port and / or fluid throughput conduit inlet port and / or fluid throughput conduit outlet port) may be designed in any sensible way. In particular they may show some means for a fluid tight attachment of the respective port to a tube or hose, for example an inner or outer thread, a flange-like connector part, a tapered surface, a quick fluid connector socket part and / or a quick fluid connector plug part and / or the like. In particular, the ports may protrude from the common housing’s main surface and / or may be realised as a bore into the common housing's main surface, or the like.

[0029] The thermostatic actuator may be designed and arranged in any way that is known in the prior art and / or that may be envisaged in the future. In particular, it may be a mechanically operating thermostatic actuator. Such an actuator is typically particularly reliable and less prone to faulty actuations. However, an electric actuator or the like might be used as well. The mechanic actuator may be designed to comprise a tightly sealed inner void, where in the inner void a fluid (in particular in part liquid and in part gas) may be encapsulated. Depending on the temperature, a more or less large part of the fluid may be in the gasous and / or in the liquidous phase, resulting in a higher or lower pressure within the inner void. At least a part of the inner void is neighbouring a flexible membrane, a movable piston, a leporello-type side wall or the like. This way, a variable pressure can be easily translated into a movement, in DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0030] - 7 - particular a movement in a linear direction. This movement can be translated by means of a shaft member that is also connected to a valve poppet of the throttling valve. The shaft member may comprise a single rod-like / pole-like shape. In particular, the shaft member should be able to transmit pushing forces and / or pulling forces, depending on the exact design chosen.

[0031] As presently proposed, the fluid throughput conduit comprises at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections (fluid paths) in the vicinity of the shaft member. This way, it is easy to guide a part of the fluid / a part of the refrigerant passing through the fluid throughput conduit around certain (inner / main) sections of the housing, in particular a section of the housing that is provided for (containment of) the throttling valve and / or the shaft member, and that has in particular a dimension, more particularly a cross- sectional / radial dimension that is adapted to the size of the throttling valve (this may be typically addressed as a basic housing body). The one or several “bypass channels” may be designed and arranged to be separate from the main housing body / basic housing body, to be (fixedly) connected to the main housing body / basic housing body, or to be even (partially) integral to the main housing body / basic housing body (where “mixed” arrangements are possible as well, for example one bypass channel being designed and arranged to be separate from the main housing body / basic housing body, while the another bypass channel being designed and arranged to be fixedly connected to the main housing body / basic housing body). Typically, at least one of the fluid throughput conduits lies within the basic housing body, while a second, third (and even more) fluid throughput conduit will lie outside of the basic housing body, i.e. will be guided around the basic housing body (hence the possible wording of a bypass channel). Usually, the fluid throughput conduit that lies within the basic housing body will contain a part of the shaft member and / or parts that are provided in connection with the shaft member (for example a support sleeve for the shaft member) and / or parts that are provided in connection with the thermostatic actuator (for example a holding member for DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0032] 5 December 2025

[0033] - 8 - the thermostatic actuator or the like). In any case, a certain fraction (even a large fraction or even the majority of the fluid flow) of the overall fluid flow through the fluid throughput conduit may flow around the main housing body / the basic housing body of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, where a large fluid flow cross section may be comparatively easily provided. This way, the fluid cross-section that is available for the ref rigerant / f lu id in the fluid throughput conduit can be easily enlarged, therefore reducing fluid flow resistance and the like. It is to be noted that such a simple “bypass channel” (or a plurality of “bypass channels”) does not negatively influence the controlling behaviour of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, since nevertheless a sufficiently large amount of fluid may pass through the so-to-say “inner section” of the housing, where the shaft member and / or a surface side of the thermostatic actuator is located, so that a sufficiently large thermal transfer to the thermostatic actuator / the shaft member can be effectuated.

[0034] It is to be noted that it is possible that the fluid may flow around the shaft member. This is usually not to be considered as a split up of the fluid throughput conduit into two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections. In other words, the split up into fluid throughput sections may be considered to be effectuated by a part / by parts, being different from the shaft member (possibly being different from guiding / holding / supporting members for the shaft member as well). Such separating parts for the (or at least some of the) fluid throughput sections may be wall-like members, separating walls / structures, remaining walls within the (basic) housing, sheet-like separating (wall) members, and like. In even other words, one may say that the presently proposed integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement may comprise at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections, wherein one of said parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections contains a part that forms a subunit of the thermal actuator arrangement (for example a shaft member and / or a support member for the shaft member and / or a holding member for DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0035] 5 December 2025

[0036] - 9 - the thermal actuator), while the at least second (possibly more) parallelly arranged fluid throughput section usually does not comprise such a subunit of the thermal actuator arrangement. However, it is also possible to consider the shaft member as a so-to-say separating element as well, so that usually at least three parallelly arranged fluid flow throughput sections should be provided in the vicinity of the shaft member. Only for completeness, it is to be noted that the notion of at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections can be considered to be at least and / or precisely three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or even more parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections. The basic housing body and the housing of the bypass channels (and possibly other parts as well) will usually form the (overall) housing of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement. There basic housing body may comprise / be some kind of a housing block (in particular a housing block that is produced from a massive material block using material removing techniques like milling, drilling and like). Hence, the housing of the presently suggested integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement may comprise a basic housing body and additional housing parts (for example structures that are provided for defining one (or more) bypass channel(s), one (or more) fluid throughput section(s) that flows around the basic housing body, or the like).

[0037] As a matter of completeness, “parallel” is not to be considered in the present context in a way that the fluid flow directions of the respective fluid throughput sections are necessarily lying more or less parallel to each other. Instead, “parallel” is usually to be considered as a parallel arrangement in the so-to-say logical sense, meaning that the fluid conduit is separated into two different fluid conduit subsections that are later on rejoined to each other. Roughly speaking, this is the opposite of a “linear arrangement”. However, it might be possible that the fluid flow directions are more or less parallel to each other, at least for at least two / several of the / the majority of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections. This way, the fluid flow resistances that will occur may be advantageously reduced even further. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0038] - 10 -

[0039] As a matter of completeness, it should be noted that the notion of a “fluid throughput conduit inlet port”, a “fluid throughput conduit outlet port”, a “throttling valve inlet port” and / or a “throttling valve outlet port” may or may not be based on a constructive characteristic of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, or may or may not be based on pure convention. As an example, typically the notion of a “fluid throughput conduit inlet port” and a “fluid throughput conduit outlet port” is based on pure convention (and the fluid flow direction may be easily reversed without any adverse effects). Different from this, typically the notion of a “throttling valve inlet port” and a “throttling valve outlet port” is determined by the design and arrangement of the throttling valve (although this is not necessarily true). At least a preferred flow direction may be determined by this.

[0040] It is further suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that at least one, preferably at least two of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections flow around a basic housing body and / or in a way that at least one of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections flows through the basic housing body, wherein the basic housing body contains at least part of the shaft member and the throttling valve. This way it is easy to both have a comparatively small and in particular lightweight housing, and yet a quite large fluid flow cross-section for the fluid, flowing through the fluid throughput conduit. Hence, the fluid resistance for the fluid flowing through the fluid throughput conduit can be even further reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to design the housing with less material, not only reducing weight, but also in particular (material) cost for manufacturing the housing. One of the at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections should flow through the basic housing body, since usually the shaft member is arranged therein. Furthermore, typically at least a part of the thermostatic actuator will thermally contact the housing, in particular the housing in the vicinity of the fluid throughput conduit. Hence, by this design a fast thermal DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0041] 5 December 2025

[0042] - 11 - energy transfer from the fluid to the thermostatic actuator can be realised. This typically results in an improved control quality of the integrated thermal expansion valve. Further, depending on the exact design of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, in particular of the basic housing body thereof, a thermal transfer from the hot refrigerant in (part of the) throttling valve fluid conduit to the thermostatic actuator can be reduced, which may improve the efficiency of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement.

[0043] The basic housing body is typically designed and arranged in a way that it may contain the throttling valve, but it is typically designed and arranged in a way that it not significantly larger than the required minimal size to contain the throttling valve. Certainly, a certain “safety margin” with respect to the sizes may be provided. However, this is usually done in consideration of housing wall thicknesses and the like. Therefore, the multiplicative “safety factor” is typically quite small, for example in the order of 1 .1 , 1.2, 1.3, 1 .4, 1 .5, 1 .75, 2 or more (where all of the stated numbers can be used as an upper limit as well). The size particularly relates to a cross section, where the plane of the cross-section is normal to the moving direction of the valve poppet of the throttling valve.

[0044] Even further it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the fluid throughput conduit comprises a fluid conduit member with a flattened cross-section, preferably with an ellipsoidal and / or a racetrack-like cross-section, at least in the vicinity of the shaft member, preferably at least in the vicinity of the basic housing body. Using such a design makes it easily possible to effectively and cheaply manufacture the housing. Furthermore, turbulence in the fluid flowing through the fluid throughput conduit can be effectively reduced as well. Thanks to the flattened design, the dimension in the axial direction (typically the movement direction of the poppet of the throttling valve) may be reduced, so that the overall size of the housing can be made smaller and / or less material has to be DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0045] 5 December 2025

[0046] - 12 - used for producing the housing. “Racetrack” may essentially be interpreted two be to semicircles (or circle segments) that are connected by straight lines.

[0047] Yet further it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the fluid throughput conduit and / or the housing and / or the basic housing body and / or the fluid conduit member and / or the throttling valve inlet port and / or the throttling valve outlet port are designed, at least in part, as tube like parts, in particular as thin-walled tubelike parts. This way, a very light weight and material efficient housing can be generated. Furthermore, tubes are cheaply and easily available, so that the production cost can be further reduced. Even further, the circular cross sections of tubes make them particularly pressure resilient, which is an advantage as well. As yet another advantage, thanks to the thin walls of the thin-walled tube-like parts, unwanted thermal energy transfer between various parts of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, in particular between the fluid within the throttling valve conduit and the fluid throughput conduit, and even more important from the fluid within the throttling valve conduit towards the thermostatic actuator, can be reduced. This way, the thermal efficiency of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement can be increased. It is to be understood that usually at least a part of the basic housing body is not designed as a tube-like part, but instead is manufactured from a massive metal rod. This is typically done for stability reasons and / or to simplify the mounting / arrangement of the various parts of the throttling valve (in particular of those parts in the vicinity of the fluid orifice of the throttling valve).

[0048] Yet further, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the fluid throughput conduit and / or the housing and / or the basic housing body and / or the fluid conduit member and / or the throttling valve inlet port and / or the throttling valve outlet port are designed with a flange-like end section, preferably at least in the vicinity of at DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0049] 5 December 2025

[0050] - 13 - least one receiving bore for receiving the basic housing body. In particular, this may be additionally or alternatively interpreted in a way that flange-like end sections are provided in areas, where different prefabricated subparts are to be connected to each other. Thanks to the flange-like end sections, the contact area between the respective parts can be increased, so that the probability of leaks can be decreased, the leakage proofness of the connection can be increased, the mechanical stability of the connection can be increased and / or the connection process can be facilitated and / or a larger range of connection techniques may be employed.

[0051] In particular, it is possible to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the basic housing body and / or the fluid conduit member and / or the throttling valve inlet port and / or the throttling valve outlet port are designed, at least in part, as initially separate subunits that are preferably connected to each other in a positive substance jointing way. The “positive substance jointing way” may be (but it not limited to) a gluing, welding, soldering, sonic soldering, electron beam welding, laser welding and the like. This way the manufacture of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement can be even further facilitated and possibly made even cheaper. It is to be noted that the notion of positive substance jointing may include the use of an additional connection material (like glue, a soldering material), but may also be performed without the use of an additional connection material (where, for example, the neighbouring sections of the parts to be connected are heated up so that they sort of form a transient region with intermingled materials / with an alloy).

[0052] Yet further, it is possible to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the fluid conduit member is designed and arranged as a sleeve-like part that surrounds the basic housing member, wherein preferably the basic housing member comprises openings that are arranged along the connection line between the fluid throughput DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0053] 5 December 2025

[0054] - 14 - conduit inlet port and the fluid throughput conduit outlet port of the fluid throughput conduit. This way, a very simple and yet efficient design, manufacture and assembly of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement can be realised. Furthermore, using this design, turbulences may be avoided and / or the fluid flow resistance of the fluid flowing through the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, in particular through the fluid throughput conduit, may be reduced as well, thus reducing the efficiency of the integrated thermal valve arrangement even further.

[0055] Further, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the shaft member comprises a thermally conductive material, at least in the section between the fluid throughput orifice / fluid throughput conduit and the thermostatic actuator, in particular a thermally conductive material taken from the group of materials, comprising aluminium, aluminium alloy, copper and copper alloy. The thermally conductive material is meant (and the shaft member may therefore be designed and arranged in way) to fastly propagate the temperature of the refrigerant within the fluid throughput conduit to the thermostatic actuator, so that a fast response behaviour becomes possible. Hence, the thermally conductive material is (at least) used in (part of) the section that thermally connects the refrigerant within the fluid throughput conduit to the thermostatic actuator. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the housing comprises thermally weakly conducting material, in particular a thermally weakly conducting material taken from the group comprising iron, an iron alloy, steel and stainless steel. Both proposals alone, and in particular in combination, will increase the thermal efficiency of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement, as well as the control quality of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0056] - 15 -

[0057] Even further, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the housing is a common housing for the fluid throughput conduit and the throttling valve, preferably for the fluid throughput conduit, the throttling valve and the thermostatic actuator. The common housing is usually meant to be the assembly of subparts of the housing (for example basic housing body, fluid conduit member, throttling valve inlet port and / or throttling valve outlet port), when they are assembled together in a typically fixedly way. This way, the resulting integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement may show a long lifetime and less susceptibility for damage by external influences. Furthermore, the assembly of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement within the machinery, it is intended for, may be facilitated as well. Only for completeness: the basic housing body is typically designed and arranged in a way that it is a housing that contains the throttling valve and a part of the fluid throughput conduit (possibly only, or possibly additional parts as well).

[0058] Yet further, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the thermostatic actuator is thermally insulated towards the outside, in particular by partly embedding the thermostatic actuator in a thermally insulating material cover. This way, the thermal effectivity of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement can be even further increased. In particular, the thermally insulating material may be a foamed material or the like. The material may be shaped by moulding and the resulting thermal insulation part may be superimposed on the thermostatic actuator.

[0059] It is possible, to design and arrange the thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the thermostatic actuator comprises a flexible membrane, wherein the shaft member is preferably connected to said flexible membrane in a thermally conductive way. Such (mechanically operating) thermostatic DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0060] 5 December 2025

[0061] - 16 - actuators are, as such, known in the prior art and have proven to be reliable and sufficiently precise for the presently envisaged purposes.

[0062] Yet further, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the shaft member comprises at least a fluid throughput orifice for pressure equilibration purposes, in particular for pressure equilibration purposes between the fluid throughput conduit and at least a part of the area that is neighbouring the thermostatic actuator. This way, the control response of the thermostatic actuator and hence of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement can be even further improved in quality. In particular, a pressure buildup in sealed-off areas may be effectively avoided by the proposed design approach.

[0063] Even further, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the fluid throughput orifice is designed, at least in part, as at least one groove that is arranged on the circumferential outside surface of the shaft member, at least along a part of the axial extent of the shaft member. In particular using such a design, a fluid throughput orifice for pressure equilibration purposes, in particular as outlined above, can be easily realised in a cost efficient way.

[0064] Furthermore, it is suggested to design and arrange the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement in a way that the main fluid flow direction through the fluid throughput conduit and the main fluid flow direction through the expansion valve are arranged essentially parallel to each other or alternatively enclose an angle relative to each other, preferably an essentially rectangular angle. While, as suggested, an (essentially) 90° angle may be preferred, different angles are possible as well, like (at least) 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 60°, 70° and 80° up to 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80° and 90°. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0065] 5 December 2025

[0066] - 17 -

[0067] The main fluid flow direction / path of the fluid throughput conduit may be defined as the linear connection and / or the averaged fluid flow direction between the fluid throughput inlet port and the fluid throughput output port (possibly as defined in the vicinity of the housing, respectively).

[0068] The main fluid flow direction / path through the expansion valve may be defined by the direction of the section of the throttle valve inlet conduit in the vicinity of the housing / close to the throttling valve and / or the throttle valve outlet conduit in the vicinity of the housing / close to the throttling valve. An axial offset between the respective conduits that is induced by the design of the expansion valve may be neglected. In other words, the main fluid flow direction of one of the throttle valve inlet conduit in the vicinity of the housing / close to the throttling valve and / or the throttle valve outlet conduit in the vicinity of the housing / close to the throttling valve may be used as the defining direction.

[0069] It is to be noted that generally the two main fluid flow directions / paths do not overlap with each other, but are separated by a certain distance even at the point of the close proximity. Hence, in a mathematical sense they are skewed relative to each other.

[0070] The arrangement of the fluid throughput conduit and the throttle valve conduit may be worded differently as well. For example, one could consider a first plane that is defined by the axial direction of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement and one or both of the fluid inlet / fluid outlet channel of the fluid throughput conduit (or the respective main fluid flow direction), and a second plane that is defined by the axial direction of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement and one or both of the section of the throttle valve inlet / outlet conduit in the vicinity of the housing / close to the throttling valve (or the respective main fluid flow direction). DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0071] 5 December 2025

[0072] - 18 -

[0073] Then, the respective first and second plane may be arranged to lie essentially parallel to each other (including the case that they overlap), or alternatively may be arranged that they enclose an angle between them (in particular andessentially perpendicular angle).

[0074] Further advantages, features, and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in connection with the associated drawings, wherein the drawings show:

[0075] Fig. 1 : a possible embodiment of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement according to the present disclosure in a schematic crosssection;

[0076] Fig. 2: a possible embodiment of a prefabricated fluid conduit member subpart for realising, in combination with a basic housing part, a fluid throughput conduit with a plurality of parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections in different schematic views;

[0077] Fig. 3: the prefabricated fluid conduit member subpart that is attached to the basic housing part in a schematic cross sectional view of the integrated thermal expansion valve according to Fig. 1 ;

[0078] Fig. 4: a possible embodiment of a shaft member section in different schematic views;

[0079] Fig. 5: a schematic cross-section through a possible embodiment of an insulating cap for a thermostatic actuator of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement;

[0080] Fig. 6: a second possible embodiment of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement according to the present disclosure in different schematic perspective views.

[0081] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-section of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 , where the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 follows the suggestions of the present disclosure. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0082] 5 December 2025

[0083] - 19 -

[0084] The integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 comprises a housing 2 that is presently manufactured from a number of separately prefabricated housing subparts 3, 4, 6, 27 that are assembled and connected to each other, as will be explained in more detail in the following.

[0085] In particular, housing 2 comprises a main housing body 3 that is presently manufactured from a stainless steel rod, in which a number of bores and recesses are provided, in part according to design considerations and assembly considerations as they are known in the state of the art, as such.

[0086] Attached to the main housing body 3 are a throttle valve inlet conduit 4 with a throttle valve inlet port 5, and a throttle valve outlet conduit 6 with a throttle valve outlet port 7.

[0087] In the schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 , both the throttle valve inlet port 5 and the throttle valve outlet port 7 are connected to a respective flare connector 8 for connection with a fluid hose (not shown) that is transmitting fluid from and to other parts (also not shown).

[0088] In the presently shown embodiment, both the throttle valve inlet conduit 4 and the throttle valve outlet conduit 6 are bent by approximately 45°. However, it is possible to use a different bending angle, or no bending angle at all.

[0089] As can further be seen from Fig. 1 , throttle valve inlet conduit 4 and throttle valve outlet conduit 6 are essentially made from a tube-like material and are presently made from stainless steel.

[0090] The throttle valve inlet conduit 4 and the throttle valve outlet conduit 6 serve a throttle valve 9 (or expansion valve 9) with a valve seat 10 and a valve poppet 11. The valve poppet 11 is connected to a shaft member 12 that presently DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0091] 5 December 2025

[0092] - 20 - comprises a lower shaft member part 13 and an upper shaft member part 14. Lower and upper shaft member parts 13, 14 are presently made from a different material and are arranged juxtaposed to each other in a way that their front edges contact each other. However, the shaft member parts 13, 14 may also be connected to each other by any suitable connection means, for example by a threaded engagement of both parts 13, 14.

[0093] The lower shaft member part 13 is connected to the valve poppet 11 (in the presently shown embodiment both the valve poppet 11 and the lower shaft number part 13 form a single piece part) and are made from a material with a low thermal conductivity, for example from stainless steel.

[0094] An up-and-down movement of the shaft member 12 will place the valve poppet 11 at different distances from the corresponding valve seat 10 (including a closing position), so that a variable fluid throughput orifice is provided, resulting in a different fluid throughput ability of the throttle valve 9.

[0095] In the presently shown embodiment, the throttle valve 9 shows a biasing spring 15 that biases the throttle valve 9 in a closed position. The tension on the biasing spring 15 can be adjusted, so as to adjust the biasing force of biasing spring 15 after assembly of the integrated thermal expansion valve 1 to an appropriate level.

[0096] The upper shaft member part 14 of shaft number 12 is mechanically connected to a thermostatic actuator 16. The thermostatic actuator 16 shows an inner void 17 that is filled with a gas / liquid mixture and sealed off. The thermostatic actuator 16 has, as such, a stiff upper part 18 and a flexible membrane 19, as it is, as such, known in the prior art.

[0097] Depending on the temperature inside of the inner void 17, the curvature of the concavely or convexly shaped flexible membrane 19 varies. Possibly even a DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0098] 5 December 2025

[0099] - 21 - change between a concave and convex position may occur. This translates into an axial / longitudinal movement of the shaft member 12.

[0100] In the presently shown embodiment, the upper shaft member part 14 of shaft number 12 is made from a material that has a high thermal conductivity. Presently, an aluminum alloy is used. The respective front edge of the upper shaft member part 14 contacts the respective section of the surface of the flexible membrane 19 of thermostatic actuator 16. Thanks to the high thermal conductivity of upper shaft member part 14, the temperature of the fluid within the fluid throughput conduit 20 of integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 will be transmitted quickly to the thermostatic actuator 6 and hence into the inner void 17, resulting in a a quick actuation response of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 .

[0101] More details of the upper shaft member part 14 can be seen in Fig. 4, where Fig. 4a shows a schematic top view onto the upper shaft member part 14 and Fig. 4b shows a schematic side view onto the upper shaft member part 14.

[0102] As can be seen from Fig. 4, the upper shaft member part 14 comprises essentially two sections with a different radius 21 , 22. The thinner part 21 is arranged within the fluid throughput conduit 20 of integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 , therefore reducing fluid flow resistance for the fluid flowing through fluid throughput conduit 20. The wider part 22 of upper shaft member part 14 has a radius that corresponds with the inner bore size of the guiding bore 23. To avoid the creation of an isolated volume 24 in the vicinity of the flexible membrane 19 of the thermostatic actuator 16 (in which the pressure would be essentially constant, if temperature changes and a movement of the flexible membrane 19 are neglected), a plurality of grooves 25 that are pointing in the axial direction are provided. Through such grooves 25, the volume 24 below flexible membrane 19 is brought to the same pressure level as the fluid throughput conduit 20. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0103] - 22 -

[0104] To avoid any thermal disturbances of the thermostatic actuator 16 by the ambient surroundings, presently an insulating cap 26 is used. The insulating cap 26 is made from an insulating foam, produced separately, and simply pushed over the thermostatic actuator 16. It is to be noted that it can be easily replaced in case it is worn out.

[0105] The fluid throughput conduit 20 comprises a separately fabricated subpart in form of a fluid conduit member 27. The fluid conduit member 27 is made of a thin-walled tube-like material (for example steel, in particular stainless steel) and comprises a fluid throughput conduit inlet port 28 and a fluid throughput conduit outlet port 29 (where the two ports 28, 29 can be interchanged as well). Presently, the fluid conduit member 27 shows a fast connection part 30 at both fluid throughput conduit inlet port 28 and fluid throughput conduit outlet port 29 (the fast connection part 30 being presently soldered to the respective fluid conduit member 27), to which a tube 31 is connected, respectively. However, different attachment techniques may be used as well, as they are well known to persons skilled in the art. Further, as already noted, in the present embodiment the definition of a fluid throughput conduit inlet port 28 and a fluid throughput conduit outlet port 29 is essentially based only a convention.

[0106] More details with respect to the design of the fluid conduit member 27 can be seen in Figs. 2 and 3, where Fig. 2a shows the fluid conduit member 27 in a schematic top view, Fig. 2b shows the fluid conduit member 27 a schematic perspective view, and Fig. 3 shows the fluid conduit member 27 that is connected to the main body 3 of housing 2 in a cross-sectional view (looking onto the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 from atop).

[0107] As can be seen from the Figs., the fluid conduit member 27 shows an essentially circular cross section near the inlet port 28 and the outlet port 29, DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0108] - 23 - while it shows a flattened, essentially racetrack cross section in the middle part

[0109] 32 thereof.

[0110] Furthermore, in the middle part 32, two bores 33 are provided, where the bores

[0111] 33 show a protruding flange 34 on both sides.

[0112] The bores 33 have an inner diameter that is corresponding to the outer diameter of the main housing body 3. Therefore, the prefabricated fluid conduit member 27 can be simply slid over the main housing body 3, and placed at an appropriate position (height, rotational alignment), and a - presently positive substance jointed - connection is established between the two housing parts 3, 27. In particular, for connecting the two parts 3, 27, a welding process (with or without an additional welding material; for example laser welding with or without an additional welding material) is presently used.

[0113] Similarly, the throttling valve inlet conduit 4 and the throttling valve outlet conduit 6 can be soldered to the main housing body 3 to form the housing 2.

[0114] After the main parts of the housing 2 have been assembled, the various parts of the expansion valve 9 and the thermostatic actuator 16 are attached to the housing 2.

[0115] As can be further seen in Figs. 1 and 3, the main housing body 3 comprises two appropriately arranged openings 36 in its sidewalls, where the openings 36 are arranged along the longitudinal direction 35 of fluid conduit member 27. The two oppositely arranged fluid openings 36 are defined by the remaining housing wall sections 37 of the main housing body 3 of housing 2 (see in particular Fig. 3).

[0116] Therefore, it is obvious that the fluid that is entering the fluid conduit member 27 through fluid throughput conduit inlet port 28 and leaving fluid conduit DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0117] - 24 - member 27 through fluid conduit throughput outlet port 29 is separated into three different fluid flow paths 38a, 38b, 39 in the vicinity of the shaft member 12. In particular, outside of the remaining wall sections 37 of main housing body 3, two outer fluid flow paths 38a, 38b are provided, while inside of the remaining wall sections 37 of main housing body 3, an inner fluid flow path 39 is present. (Only as a side note: one could consider the inner fluid flow path 39 to be split up into two distinct inner fluid flow paths 39a, 39b by virtue of the shaft member 12, although this is presently not done.)

[0118] Thanks to the plurality of fluid flow path 38a, 38b, 39, a large overall / combined fluid flow cross-section is present, so that the restriction of the fluid flow crosssection by the shaft member 12 (and the remaining wall sections 37 of main housing body 3 as well) can be compensated, or even overcompensated by means of the outer fluid flow paths 38a, 38b that are provided thanks to the racetrack-shaped middle section 32 of fluid conduit member 27.

[0119] In the embodiment of the integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 1 , as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the main fluid flow direction 40 of fluid throughput conduit 20, and the main fluid flow direction 41 through expansion valve 9 are aligned essential parallel to each other.

[0120] The main fluid flow direction 40 is presently essentially identical to the linear connection between the fluid throughput inlet port 28 and the fluid throughput output port 29. The main fluid flow direction 41 through expansion valve 9 is essentially identical to the direction of the section of the throttle valve inlet conduit 4 in the vicinity of the main body 3 of housing 2 and / or to the direction of the section of the throttle valve outlet conduit 6 in the vicinity of the main body 3 of housing 2 (i.e. , the bent end sections of the throttle valve inlet conduit 4 and the throttle valve outlet conduit 6 are neglected). Furthermore, in the present case, the axial offset between the respective sections of the throttle valve inlet conduit 4 in the vicinity of the main body 3 of housing 2 and of the DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025

[0121] - 25 - throttle valve outlet conduit 6 in the vicinity of the main body 3 of housing 2 are to be neglected. In other words, the main fluid flow direction 40 of fluid throughput conduit 20 and the main fluid flow direction 41 through expansion valve 9 show no angular offset between them.

[0122] In Fig. 6, however, a variation of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 42 is shown that proves to be particularly advantageous for certain assembly situations. Fig. 6a and Fig. 6b of Fig. 6 show a second embodiment of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 42 in different perspective views.

[0123] Namely, in the presently shown embodiment of an integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 42, the fluid main flow direction 41 of the throttle valve throughput conduit, as defined by throttle valve inlet conduit 4 and throttle valve outlet conduit 6 on one hand, and the main fluid flow direction 40 of fluid throughput conduit 20 on the other hand are arranged in a sort of perpendicularly-skewed way. I.e., both main fluid flow directions 40, 41 enclose a presently essentially rectangular angle (90°) between them. Additionally, they are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance, even at the point where they come closest together.

[0124] The integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement 42 according to this embodiment allows for a size reduction, even if the respective inlet and outlet ports 5, 7, 28, 29 show (at least in part) a quite considerable dimension. It is to be noted that thanks to the flattened middle part 32 of the fluid conduit member 27, the fluid flow cross-section of fluid throughput conduit 20 does not have to be reduced with respect to the fluid flow cross-section of the fluid throughput inlet port 28 and / or the fluid throughput outlet port 29. This can be easily realised by an appropriately wide / broad design dimension of the middle part 32 of the fluid conduit member 27. DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement

[0125] 5 December 2025

[0126] - 26 -

[0127] It is noted that identical reference numerals are used throughout the present disclosure for parts that are sufficiently similar in design and / or in function to justify the use of identical reference numerals, although the respective parts may not be identical. This is done for brevity and to improve the understandability of the description.

[0128] It is also to be noted that a single one or a plurality of the features of one, several or all of the presently disclosed detailed embodiments may be used in combination with the generic description of the present disclosure (even across the present and the other aforementioned applications).

Claims

DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025- 27 -C l a i m s1. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42), comprising a housing (2), a throttling valve (9) with a throttling valve inlet port (5) and a throttling valve outlet port (7), a fluid throughput conduit (20) with a fluid throughput conduit inlet port (28) and a fluid throughput conduit outlet port (29), and a thermostatic actuator (16), wherein the thermostatic actuator (16) is thermally coupled to the fluid throughput conduit (20) and the thermostatic actuator (16) actuates the throttling valve (9) by means of a shaft member (12), wherein the throttling valve (9) is arranged within the housing (2), characterized in that the fluid throughput conduit (20) comprises at least two parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections (38a, 38b, 39) in the vicinity of the shaft member (12), wherein at least one of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections (38a, 38b, 39) flows around a basic housing body (3).

2. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to claim 1 , characterised in that at least two of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections (38a, 38b, 39) flow around a basic housing body (3) and / or one of the parallelly arranged fluid throughput sections (38a, 38b, 39) flows through the basic housing body (3), wherein the basic housing body (3) contains at least part of the shaft member (12) and the throttling valve (9).

3. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to claim 1 or 2, in particular according to claim 2, characterised in that the fluid throughput conduit (20) comprises a fluid conduit member (27) with a flattened cross-section, preferably with an ellipsoidal and / or racetracklike cross section (32), at least in the vicinity of the shaft member (12), preferably at least in the vicinity of the basic housing body (3).DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025- 28 -4. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid throughput conduit (20) and / or the housing (2) and / or the basic housing body (3) and / or the fluid conduit member (27) and / or the throttling valve inlet port (28) and / or the throttling valve outlet port (29) are designed, at least in part, as tube like parts, in particular as thin-walled tube-like parts.

5. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 4, characterized in that the fluid throughput conduit (20) and / or the housing (2) and / or the basic housing body (3) and / or the fluid conduit member (27) and / or the throttling valve inlet port (28) and / or the throttling valve outlet port (29) are designed with a flange-like end section (34), preferably at least in the vicinity of at least one receiving bore (33) for receiving the basic housing body (3).

6. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the basic housing body (3) and / or the fluid conduit member (27) and / or the throttling valve inlet port (4, 5) and / or the throttling valve outlet port (6, 7) are designed, at least in part, as initially separate subunits that are preferably connected to each other in a positive substance jointing way.

7. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the fluid conduit member (27) is designed and arranged as a sleeve-like part (27) that surrounds the basic housing member (3), wherein preferably the basic housing member (3) comprises openings (36) that are arranged along the connection line (35) between the fluid throughput conduit inlet port (28)DAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement5 December 2025- 29 - and the fluid throughput conduit outlet port (29) of the fluid throughput conduit (20).

8. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaft member (12) comprises a thermally conductive material, at least in the section (14) between the fluid throughput conduit (20) and the thermostatic actuator (16), in particular a thermally conductive material taken from the group of materials, comprising aluminium, an aluminium alloy, copper and a copper alloy and / or characterised in that the housing (2) comprises a thermally weakly conducting material, in particular a thermally weakly conducting material taken from the group comprising iron, an iron alloy, steel and stainless steel.

9. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the housing (2) is a common housing for the fluid throughput conduit (20) and the throttling valve (9), preferably for the fluid throughput conduit (20), the throttling valve (9) and the thermostatic actuator (16).

10. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thermostatic actuator (16) is thermally insulated towards the outside, in particular by partially embedding the thermostatic actuator (16) in a thermally insulating material cover (26).11 . Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the thermostatic actuator (16) comprises a flexible membrane (19), wherein the shaftDAN2427DE - IN18092 - PA18888DE01 Bulbless thermal expansion valve arrangement 5 December 2025- 30 - member (12) is preferably connected to said flexible membrane (19) in a thermally conductive way.

12. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 1 1 , characterised in that the shaft member (12) comprises at least a fluid throughput orifice (25) for pressure equilibration purposes, in particular for pressure equilibration purposes between the fluid throughput conduit (20) and at least part of the area (24) that is neighbouring the thermostatic actuator (16).

13. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to claim 12, characterised in that the fluid throughput orifice (25) is designed, at least in part, as at least one groove (25) that is arranged on the circumferential outside surface of the shaft member (12, 14), at least along a part of the axial extent of the shaft member (12, 14).

14. Integrated thermal expansion valve arrangement (1 , 42) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the main fluid flow direction (40) through the conduit (20) and the main fluid flow direction (41 ) through the expansion valve (9) are arranged essentially parallel to each other or enclose an angle relative to each other, preferably an essentially rectangular angle.

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