ADAPTER SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An adapter, comprising:
- an inlet configured to engage an outlet of a fluid source, the fluid source comprising an integrated valve capable of being moved to an opened position or a closed position;
an outlet engageable with an inlet of a routing device comprising a valve;
a passage in a body of the adapter, the passage extending between the inlet and the outlet of the adapter;
a plunger disposed in the passage, the plunger configured to engage the integrated valve of the fluid source and the valve of the routing device during use, wherein the plunger couples the movement of the valve of the routing device to the integrated valve of the fluid source such that the integrated valve is moved to an opened position or a closed position when the valve of the routing device is moved to an opened or closed position during use.
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Abstract
Various embodiments of adapter systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described. The adapter of the systems is couplable to an outlet of a fluid source and an inlet of a routing device. The adapter includes a plunger configured to engage an integrated valve of the fluid source and to receive a member of the routing device. The routing device member includes an end capable of breaking a seal. Coupling of the routing device to the outlet may advance the plunger such that plunger engages the integrated valve and at least partially opens the integrated valve.
80 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An adapter, comprising:
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an inlet configured to engage an outlet of a fluid source, the fluid source comprising an integrated valve capable of being moved to an opened position or a closed position; an outlet engageable with an inlet of a routing device comprising a valve; a passage in a body of the adapter, the passage extending between the inlet and the outlet of the adapter; a plunger disposed in the passage, the plunger configured to engage the integrated valve of the fluid source and the valve of the routing device during use, wherein the plunger couples the movement of the valve of the routing device to the integrated valve of the fluid source such that the integrated valve is moved to an opened position or a closed position when the valve of the routing device is moved to an opened or closed position during use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A refrigerant source adapter, comprising:
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a first end configured to couple to an outlet of a refrigerant source having an integrated valve; a second end configured to couple to an inlet of a valve having a piercing tip; a passage that extends between the first end and the second end; and a plunger disposed in the passage, wherein a first end of the plunger is configured to receive the piercing tip and a second end of the plunger is configured to engage the integrated valve.
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22. A kit for servicing a refrigeration system, comprising:
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a routing device comprising a member capable of breaking a seal of a refrigerant source; and an adapter couplable to the integrated valve of a refrigerant source and to the routing device, the adapter comprising a plunger configured to receive the member capable of breaking a seal of a refrigerant source and a second end of the plunger is configured to engage the integrated valve. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method, comprising:
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providing an adapter to an integrated valve of a fluid source;
wherein the adapter comprises a plunger, the plunger having a first end capable of inhibiting a piercing member of a routing device from breaking a seal of the integrated valve;providing the routing device to the adapter; advancing a second end of the plunger into the integrated valve; and allowing fluid to flow from the fluid source to a receiving system coupled to the routing device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification