Refrigeration system service adapter

• US 5,339,862 A
• Filed: 07/29/1993
• Issued: 08/23/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Parker Hannifin Customer Support, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Haunhorst, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin L.
• Application Number:
  US08/098,839
• Time in Patent Office: 390 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.05, 137/614.03, 137/614.06, 137/614.04, 251/149.6, 251/264, 251/273, 251/265, 285/354
• US Class Current: 137/614.05
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/36 with two lift valves being actuated to initiate the flow through the coupling after the two coupling parts are locked against withdrawal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion

Abstract

A manually adjustable service adapter includes a manually adjustable actuation shaft for opening the valve of a charging port of a refrigeration system to permit the charging of refrigerant into such system. Actuation of such charging port results from an axially movable shaft which is manually adjustable by a rotatable knob which causes the shaft to move axially opening the valve of the charging port. Means are provided for preventing rotational movement of the axially movable shaft.

Claims

1. A service adapter for connecting refrigerant from a supply source to a refrigeration system having an inlet coupling comprising:

(a) a body portion having a central passageway extending along an axis from an adjustment end having external threads to an outlet end and a lateral port positioned between said ends providing communication to said passageway for refrigerant from said supply source;

(b) an axial movable shaft in said passageway extending from a first end positioned between said lateral port and said outlet end to a second end in the area of said adjustment end, said first end including a seal engageable and disengageable with abutment means in said passageway in response to axial movement of said shaft;

(c) an internally threaded knob rotatably engaged to said external threads and connected to said shaft to move said shaft axially upon rotation of said knob to engage and disengage said seal to and from said abutment; and

(d) a pin engaged to and extending laterally from said shaft, said pin (i) having an end portion engaged in a slot positioned in said body, said slot permitting axial movement of said pin therein while preventing rotational movement and (ii) positioned to engage said inlet coupling upon connecting of said service adapter thereto to limit the extent to which said shaft may enter said coupling.

2. A service adapter according to claim 1, wherein an annular sleeve valve is positioned in said central passageway between said outlet end and said lateral port, said sleeve valve encircling said shaft and having an inlet end, an outlet end and an internal wall, said sleeve valve being axially movable within said passageway, said slot extending axially on said valve sleeve internal wall.

3. A service adapter according to claim 1, wherein an annular sleeve valve is positioned in said central passageway between said outlet end and said lateral port, said sleeve valve encircling said shaft and having an inlet end, an outlet end and an internal wall, said sleeve valve being axially movable within said passageway, at least two axially extending slots on said valve sleeve internal wall, said pin having end portions engaged in said slots for axial movement therein.

4. A service adapter for connecting refrigerant from a supply source to a refrigeration system having an inlet coupling comprising:

(a) a body portion having a central passageway extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end and a lateral port positioned between said ends providing communication to said passageway for refrigerant from said supply source;

(b) an axially movable shaft in said passageway extending from a first sealing end positioned between said lateral port and said outlet end to a second end in the area of said adjustment end, said sealing end including a seal engageable and disengageable with abutment means in said passageway in response to axial movement of said shaft, and

(c) means for moving said shaft axially to engage and disengage said seal to and from said abutment while preventing rotation of said shaft relative to said body portion, wherein said means for moving said shaft includes external threads on said body portion at said adjustment end, an internally threaded knob rotatably engaged to said external threads, and means for connecting said knob to said shaft to move said shaft axially upon rotation of said knob and means for preventing rotation of said shaft in response to rotation of said knob, said means for preventing rotation of said shaft comprising an axially extending planar portion on said shaft and a detent on said body portion extending inwardly from said body portion central passageway into engagement with said planar portion, said planar portion being axially movable relative to said detent.

5. Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid comprising in combination:

(a) a coupling having a housing extending along an axis from an inlet end to an outlet end, an axial passage for receiving fluid at said inlet end and discharging fluid at said outlet end, a valve in said passage axially displaceable from a closed position toward said inlet end to an open position further away from said inlet end and means yieldingly urging said valve to said closed position; and

(b) a service adapter engaged with said coupling, said service adapter including,

(i) a body portion extending along an axis from a first end receiving said coupling to a second end, said body having external threads adjacent said second end;

(ii) an axial passageway in said body portion extending from said first end to said second end;

(iii) a lateral port in said body communicating with said passageway;

(iv) a sleeve valve positioned in said passageway between said first end and said lateral port and axially movable in said passageway and means for yieldingly urging said sleeve valve toward said first end, said sleeve valve having at least one inwardly facing slot extending in an axial direction;

(v) an actuation member in said passageway, said actuation member extending through said sleeve valve and being axially movable relative to both said body portion and said sleeve valve, means for sealingly engaging and disengaging said actuation member to said sleeve valve in response to said relative axial movement therebetween, said actuation member having a pin engaged to and extending laterally therefrom, said pin (i) having an end portion engaged in said slot, said slot permitting axial movement of said pin therein while preventing rotational movement of said actuation member and (ii) positioned to engage said coupling inlet end to limit the extent to which said actuation member may enter said coupling;

(vi) a knob having internal threads threadedly engaged to said body portion external threads and rotatably engaged to said actuation member, rotation of said knob causing axial movement of said actuation member between a retracted position and an extended position, said movement to an extended position (1) causing engagement with and movement of said coupling valve axially to an open position and (2) permitting movement of said sleeve valve into engagement with said coupling inlet end in response to said means for yieldingly urging and (3) causing movement of said actuation member relative to said sleeve valve to disengage said sealing means and open said service adapter for the flow of fluid.

6. The combination according to claim 5 further including means causing resistance to rotation of said sleeve valve.

7. Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid comprising in combination:

(a) a coupling having a housing extending along an axis from an inlet end to an outlet end, an axial passage for receiving fluid at said inlet end and discharging fluid at said outlet end, a valve in said passage axially displaceable from a closed position toward said inlet end to an open position further away from said inlet end and means yieldingly said valve to said closed position; and

(b) a service adapter engaged with said coupling, said service adapter including,

(i) a body portion extending along an axis from a first end receiving said coupling to a second end, said body having external threads adjacent said second end;

(ii) an axial passageway in said body portion extending from said first end to said second end;

(iii) a lateral port in said body communicating with said passageway;

(iv) a sleeve valve positioned in said passageway between said first end and said lateral port and axially movable in said passageway and means for yieldingly urging said sleeve valve toward said first end;

(v) an actuation member in said passageway, said actuation member extending through said sleeve valve and being axially movable relative to both said body portion and said sleeve valve, means for sealingly engaging and disengaging said actuation member to said sleeve valve in response to said relative axial movement therebetween;

(vi) a knob having internal threads threadedly engaged to said body portion external threads and rotatably engaged to said actuation member, rotation of said knob causing axial movement of said actuation member between a retracted and extended position, said movement to an extended position (1) causing engagement with and movement of said coupling valve axially to an open position and (2) permitting movement of said sleeve valve into engagement with said coupling inlet end in response to said means for yieldingly urging and (3) causing movement of said actuation member relative to said sleeve valve to disengage said sealing means and open said service adapter for the flow of fluid; and

(vii) means for preventing rotation of said actuation member, said means for preventing rotation comprising an axially extending planar portion in an area of said actuation member in slideable engagement with said body portion and a detent on said body portion extending inwardly into said passageway toward said planar portion, said planar portion being axially movable relative to said detent.

8. In a service adapter for adding refrigerant to a refrigeration system comprising a service adapter body, an axial flow passage defined in said body, a conduit fitting defined on said service adapter body in communication with said passage, releasable locking means to selectively lock said body in an aligned interconnected relationship with a compatible charging port, a manually actuated axially displaceable valve within said service adapter body, means for axially displacing said valve between first and second axial positions, interlock means located within said service adapter body passage maintaining said manually actuated valve in a closed condition regardless of the axial position of said manually actuated valve, said interlock means engaging a charging port when said service adapter body is fully connected thereto and such engagement deactivating said interlock means whereby said manually actuated valve controls fluid flow through said service adapter body passage, said interlock means within said service adapter body comprising an annular sleeve valve axially displaceable within said service adapter body passage, spring means within said service adapter body passage biasing said sleeve valve into a closed relationship with said manually actuated valve, said sleeve valve adapted to engage a charging port upon said service adapter body being fully interconnected thereto, said engagement axially retaining said sleeve valve against displacement by said spring means, the improvement wherein said axially displaceable valve has a lateral pin extending therefrom in a position to engage and limit its positioning to an interconnected charging port and wherein said means for axially displacing said valve comprises:

(a) external threads on said service adapter body;

(b) a knob having internal threads threadedly engaged to said body portion external threads and rotatably engaged to said axially displaceable valve, rotation of said knob causing axial movement of said axially displaceable valve between a retracted and an extended position, and

(c) means for preventing rotation of said axially displaceable valve.

9. A service adapter according to claim 8, wherein said means for preventing rotation includes axially extending slot means on said annular sleeve valve and said lateral pin has an end engaged in said slot means for axial movement therein.

10. In a service adapter for adding refrigerant to a refrigeration system comprising a service adapter body, an axial flow passage defined in said body, a conduit fitting defined on said service adapter body in communication with said passage, releasable locking means to selectively lock said body in an aligned interconnected relationship with a compatible charging port, a manually actuated axially displaceable valve within said service adapter body, means for axially displacing said valve between first and second axial positions, interlock means located within said service adapter body passage maintaining said manually actuated valve in a closed condition regardless of the axial position of said manually actuated valve, said interlock means engaging a charging port when said service adapter body is fully connected thereto and such engagement deactivating said interlock means whereby said manually actuated valve controls fluid flow through said service adapter body passage, said interlock means within said service adapter body comprising an annular sleeve valve axially displaceable within said service adapter body passage, spring means within said service adapter body passage biasing said sleeve valve into a closed relationship with said manually actuated valve, said sleeve valve adapted to engage a charging port upon said service adapter body being fully interconnected thereto, said engagement axially retaining said sleeve valve against displacement by said spring means, the improvement wherein said means for axially displacing said valve comprises:

(a) external threads on said service adapter body;

(b) a knob having internal threads threadedly engaged to said body portion external threads and rotatably engaged to said axially displaceable valve, rotation of said knob causing axial movement of said axially displaceable valve between a retracted and an extended portion, and

(c) means for preventing rotation of said axially displaceable valve comprising an axially extending planar portion in an area of said axially displaceable valve in slidable engagement with said body and a detent on said body extending inwardly into engagement with said planar portion, said planar portion being axially movable relative to said detent.

11. In a service adapter for adding refrigerant to a refrigeration system comprising a service adapter body, an axial flow passage defined in said body, a conduit fitting defined on said service adapter body in communication with said passage, releasable locking means to selectively lock said body in an aligned interconnected relationship with a compatible charging port, a manually actually axially displaceable valve within said service adapter body, means for axially displacing said valve between first and second axial positions, interlock means located within said service adapter body passage maintaining said manually actuated valve in a closed condition regardless of the axial position of said manually actuated valve, said interlock means engaging a charging port when said service adapter body is fully connected thereto and such engagement deactivating said interlock means whereby said manually actuated valve controls fluid flow through said service adapter body passage, said interlock means within said service adapter body comprising an annular sleeve valve axially displaceable within said service adapter body passage, spring means within said service adapter body passage biasing said sleeve valve into a closed relationship with said manually actuated valve, said sleeve valve adapted to engage a charging port upon said service adapter body being fully interconnected thereto, said engagement axially retaining said sleeve valve against displacement by said spring means, the improvement comprising axially extending slot means on said annular sleeve valve and a lateral pin extending from said axially displaceable valve and engaged in said slot means for axial movement therein, said lateral pin (a) preventing rotation of said axially displaceable valve and (b) engageable with said interconnected charging port to limit its positioning relative thereto.