Flow control valves are used for controlling fluid flows in a variety of applications. For instance, in vapour compression systems, such as refrigeration systems, air condition systems or heat pumps, flow control valves are, e.g., used for controlling a supply of refrigerant to an evaporator. In this case the flow control valve may be in the form of an expansion valve. Flow control valves may also be used for controlling a flow of refrigerant in a suction line of a vapour compression system, i.e. downstream relatively to an evaporator. In this case the flow control valve functions as a suction valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,694 B2 discloses a flow control valve for a refrigeration system. The flow control valve comprises a valve body defining a fluid inlet section, a fluid outlet section, and a connecting port interconnecting the inlet and outlet sections. A valve unit is movable to selectively opening and closing the valve port, thereby controlling the fluid flow between the fluid inlet section and the fluid outlet section.
The flow control valve of U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,694 B2 is made from a number of separate parts. When the flow control valve is assembled these separate parts are attached to the valve, one by one, at the operating site of the flow control valve. This is cumbersome and makes it difficult to manage the individual parts of the flow control valve.