Device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports

• US 10,458,590 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mikhail Viehmeyer
• Original Assignee: Shlomo Attia
• Inventors: Attia, Shlomo
• Primary Examiner(s): Brinson, Patrick F
• Application Number:
  US15/850,991
• Publication Number:
  US 20190195412A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 138 89, 13761402, 13761404-61406, 137322, 2511491, 2511496, 251148, 251147
• CPC Class Codes: F16J 13/12 attached by wedging action by means of screw-thread, interrupted screw-thread, bayonet closure, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/465 to the valve seats
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/07 Arrangement or mounting of devices, e.g. valves, for venting or aerating or draining apparatus for draining F16T
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/09 Air conditioning, e.g. de-watering, in pneumatic systems
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1152 fixed by screwing or by means of a screw-threaded ring
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 55/1157 using hooks, pawls, or other movable or insertable locking members
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2500/221 Preventing leaks from developing
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 45/00 Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant

Abstract

A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports includes a coupler to be coupled to the service port. A main body has a longitudinal direction and is disposed adjacent the coupler in the longitudinal direction. A stem is movable inside the main body in the longitudinal direction. A sealing element is disposed adjacent the stem. A head which is fastened to the main body has an internal thread, and a handle has a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into the internal thread of the head. The shaft has a free end remote from the handle for contacting the stem and pushing the sealing element adjacent the stem against an end of the service port upon turning the handle.

Claims

1. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a quick coupler having a detent for engaging in a groove formed in an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction;

a sealing element adjacent said stem;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said detent includes a plurality of locking balls.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said coupler has a color identifying the device for use only on a low-pressure or high-pressure service port.

3. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction, said stem having one opening facing said coupler;

a sealing element adjacent said stem, said sealing element being a disk-shaped washer received in said opening in said stem;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle;

said stem having a T-shaped cross section and a further opening facing said handle and receiving said free end of said shaft, said further opening having a smaller diameter than said one opening.

4. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction;

a sealing element adjacent said stem;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread;

a stem spring disposed between said head and said stem; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle.

5. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port, said coupler having a shoulder;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction, said main body is being partially disposed within said coupler, said main body having a shoulder;

a coupler spring surrounding part of said main body and being biased between said shoulder of said coupler and said shoulder of said main body permitting said coupler to act as a quick coupler with the service port;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction, said stem having one opening facing said coupler;

a sealing element adjacent said stem;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle.

6. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction, said stem having one opening facing said coupler;

a sealing element adjacent said stem, said sealing element being a disk-shaped washer received in said opening in said stem;

at least one O-ring engaged in a groove formed in said one opening of said stem for sealing against an outer surface of the service port;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle.

8. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction, said stem having one opening facing said coupler;

a sealing element adjacent said stem, said sealing element being a cup received in said opening of said stem;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said stem has a T-shaped cross section and a further opening facing said handle and receiving said free end of said shaft, said further opening having a smaller diameter than said one opening.

10. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction;

a sealing element adjacent said stem;

a head fastened to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle;

said main body having an inner surface with a step formed therein defining a stop preventing said stem from sliding beyond a predetermined distance in said main body toward said port.

11. A device for preventing refrigerant leaks in air conditioning system service ports, the device comprising:

a coupler to be coupled to an air conditioning system service port;

a main body having a longitudinal direction and being disposed adjacent said coupler in said longitudinal direction;

a stem movable inside said main body in said longitudinal direction;

a sealing element adjacent said stem;

a head screwed to said main body, said head having an internal thread; and

a handle having a shaft with an external thread to be screwed into said internal thread of said head, said shaft having a free end remote from said handle for contacting said stem and pushing said sealing element adjacent said stem against an end of the service port upon turning said handle.