Refrigerant overpressure release recovery system with compressor auto shutdown
First Claim
1. A new and improved refrigerant recovery system for capturing refrigerant released during a refrigerant system overpressure event comprising:
- a refrigerant system interface means having a threadedly engaging portion and a body portion wherein said threadedly engaging portion sealably engages a threaded portion of a venting port of a high pressure release valve;
a check valve formed of a housing containing a spring member, a ball, and a seat member in series disposition, the check valve coupled to the body portion of the refrigerant system interface means for permitting relatively free passage of liquid and gaseous refrigerant therethrough in one direction from the venting port of the high pressure release valve and precluding such passage in an opposite direction;
a steel recovery tank capable of holding for an indefinite time refrigerant therein in a pressurized condition and having a quick-disconnect refrigerant access valve extended therefrom for draining refrigerant;
a tubular conduit coupled between the check valve and recovery tank for conveying refrigerant from the check valve to the recovery tank; and
an electrical circuit for monitoring and controlling pressurization of the recovery tank with the circuit further comprising;
an electrical power source for supplying a flow of electrical current;
indicator means interconnected with the power source for providing a visual indication of failure from an overpressure event in the recovery tank;
a compressor electromagnetic clutch interconnected with the power source;
a normally open high pressure indicator switch engaging the recovery tank and serially interconnected with the indicator means and the power source; and
a normally closed refrigeration disabling switch engaging the recovery tank and serially interconnected with the compressor electromagnetic clutch and the power source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerant recovery system including an interface connection to an existing refrigeration system high pressure relief valve, a check valve, a refrigerant recovery tank, and an interconnecting conduit. A Schrader type valve is affixed to the recovery tank thereby permitting service extraction of refrigerant trapped therein. Two pressure sensing switches are provided in the refrigerant recovery tank wherein a first switch has normally open contacts and is used to signal an overpressure event, and a second switch has normally closed contacts and terminates operation of the refrigeration system upon sensing an overpressure event.
26 Citations
3 Claims
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1. A new and improved refrigerant recovery system for capturing refrigerant released during a refrigerant system overpressure event comprising:
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a refrigerant system interface means having a threadedly engaging portion and a body portion wherein said threadedly engaging portion sealably engages a threaded portion of a venting port of a high pressure release valve; a check valve formed of a housing containing a spring member, a ball, and a seat member in series disposition, the check valve coupled to the body portion of the refrigerant system interface means for permitting relatively free passage of liquid and gaseous refrigerant therethrough in one direction from the venting port of the high pressure release valve and precluding such passage in an opposite direction; a steel recovery tank capable of holding for an indefinite time refrigerant therein in a pressurized condition and having a quick-disconnect refrigerant access valve extended therefrom for draining refrigerant; a tubular conduit coupled between the check valve and recovery tank for conveying refrigerant from the check valve to the recovery tank; and an electrical circuit for monitoring and controlling pressurization of the recovery tank with the circuit further comprising; an electrical power source for supplying a flow of electrical current; indicator means interconnected with the power source for providing a visual indication of failure from an overpressure event in the recovery tank; a compressor electromagnetic clutch interconnected with the power source; a normally open high pressure indicator switch engaging the recovery tank and serially interconnected with the indicator means and the power source; and a normally closed refrigeration disabling switch engaging the recovery tank and serially interconnected with the compressor electromagnetic clutch and the power source.
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2. A new and improved refrigerant recovery system for capturing refrigerant release during a refrigerant system overpressure event comprising:
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a refrigerant system interface means attaching to a venting port of a high pressure release valve; a check valve permitting refrigerant transfer solely into a refrigerant recovery system; a recovery tank capable of holding for an indefinite time refrigerant therein in a pressurized condition and having a recovery tank refrigerant access valve for draining refrigerant; a conduit conveying refrigerant from the check valve to the recovery tank; an electrical power source for supplying a flow of electrical current; indicator means for providing a visual indication of failure from an overpressure event in the recovery tank; a normally closed temperature control switch interconnected with the electrical power source; and one or more pressure sensory switches controlling the flow of electrical current in response to pressurization of the recovery tank in which one of the pressure sensory switches comprises a single pole, normally closed switch wherein said normally closed switch is serially interconnected with the temperature control switch and the electrical power source.
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3. A new and improved refrigerant recovery system for capturing refrigerant release during a refrigerant system overpressure event comprising:
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a refrigerant system interface means attaching to a venting port of a high pressure release valve; a check valve permitting refrigerant transfer solely into a refrigerant recovery system; a recovery tank capable of holding for an indefinite time refrigerant therein in a pressurized condition and having a recovery tank refrigerant access valve for draining refrigerant; a conduit conveying refrigerant from the check valve to the recovery tank; an electrical power source for supplying a flow of electrical current; a compressor electromagnetic clutch interconnected with the electrical power source; and one or more pressure sensory switches controlling the flow of electrical current in response to pressurization of the recovery tank in which one of the pressure sensory switches comprises a single pole, normally closed switch wherein said normally closed switch is serially interconnected with a compressor electromagnetic clutch and the electrical power source.
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Specification