Refrigeration system service adapter

• US 5,415,200 A
• Filed: 06/08/1994
• Issued: 05/16/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Parker Hannifin Customer Support, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Haunhorst, Gregory A., Densel, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin L.
• Application Number:
  US08/254,634
• Time in Patent Office: 342 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.05, 137/614.03, 137/614.06, 137/614.04, 251/149.6, 251/284, 251/286, 251/287, 251/288, 251/264
• 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 in combination with one of two internal, axially slideable sleeves. The axially movable actuation shaft is manually adjustable by a rotatable knob which causes it to move axially but non-rotatably. Such axial movement of the shaft along with restriction of movement of one slideable sleeve upon abutment against the other slidable sleeve when the adapter is engaged to the charging port, opens the seal between the shaft and such one slideable sleeve while movement of the shaft with its end engaged to the valve of the charging port, opens such valve. 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 to an outlet end and a lateral port positioned between said ends providing communication to said passageway for refrigerant from said supply source, said central passageway having a first cylindrical section between said adjustment end and said lateral port and a second cylindrical section between said lateral port and said outlet end;

(b) an axially 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 second end including a seal slidingly engageable with said first cylindrical section and a sealing gasket in the area between said first end and said lateral port;

(c) a first sleeve member axially movable in said second cylindrical section, said first sleeve member having (i) an inlet end, (ii) an outlet end, (iii) a seal sealingly and slideably engaged with said second cylindrical section and (iv) an annular abutment sized and positioned to be sealingly engageable with said shaft sealing gasket;

(d) a first spring yieldingly urging said first sleeve member toward said outlet end;

(e) a second sleeve member axially movable in said second cylindrical section positioned between said first sleeve member and said outlet end and having (i) an inlet end;

(ii) an outlet end;

(iii) an outwardly facing annular seal slideably engaged with said second cylindrical section and (iv) an inwardly facing annular seal;

(f) a second spring yieldingly urging said second sleeve member axially away from said first sleeve member;

(g) a connector releaseably engaging said service adapter to an inlet coupling sized to be inserted into said second cylindrical section, said inlet coupling having (i) an end face encircling an opening, (ii) an abutment engageable with said second sleeve member outlet end and (iii) an axially displaceable valve engageable with said shaft first end;

said second sleeve member being axially displaced toward said first sleeve member upon insertion of said inlet coupling into said second cylindrical section; and

(h) an actuator for moving said shaft axially from a rearward position toward said adjustment end to a forward position toward said outlet end, said axial movement causing said shaft sealing gasket to become disengaged from said first sleeve annular abutment following abutting engagement between said second sleeve member and said first sleeve member.

2. A service adapter according to claim 1, wherein said second sleeve member inwardly facing annular seal is positioned to sealingly engage said inlet coupling prior to said shaft first end engaging said inlet coupling axially displaceable valve when said shaft is in the forward position.

3. A service adapter according to claim 1, wherein said body portion has external threads at said adjustment end and said actuator includes (i) a rotatable knob having internal threads engaged to said external threads, rotation of said knob resulting in axial movement thereof on said body portion and (ii) interengageable abutments between said knob and said shaft causing non-rotatable axial movement of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

4. The service adapter of claim 3, wherein engagement of said shaft second end and said slidingly engageable seal with said body portion first cylindrical section causes frictional resistance to rotation in excess of frictional forces tending to cause rotation of said shaft upon rotation of said rotatable knob.

5. The service adapter of claim 3, wherein engagement of said shaft second end and said slidingly engageable seal with said body portion first cylindrical section causes frictional resistance to rotation in excess of forces created between said interengageable abutments upon rotation of said rotatable knob tending to cause rotation of said shaft.

6. The service adapter of claim 3 further including a longitudinally extending slot on said shaft parallel to said axis and a rigid member engaged to said body portion extending into said slot, said rigid member slideable in said slot upon rotation of said rotatable knob and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to said body portion.

7. The service adapter of claim 1, wherein said first and second cylindrical sections are the same diametrical size.

8. The service adapter of claim 1, wherein said actuation shaft includes a stop engageable with said coupling end face, said stop limiting the distance said shaft may be inserted in said coupling.

9. A service adapter according to claim 2, wherein said body portion has external threads at said adjustment end and said actuator includes (i) a rotatable knob having internal threads engaged to said external threads, rotation of said knob resulting in axial movement thereof on said body portion and (ii) interengageable abutments between said knob and said shaft causing non-rotatable axial movement of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

10. The service adapter of claim 9, wherein engagement of said shaft second end and said slidingly engageable seal with said body portion first cylindrical section causes frictional resistance to rotation in excess of frictional forces tending to cause rotation of said shaft upon rotation of said rotatable knob.

11. The service adapter of claim 9, wherein engagement of said shaft second end and said slidingly engageable seal with said body portion first cylindrical section causes frictional resistance to rotation in excess of forces created between said interengageable abutments upon rotation of said rotatable knob tending to cause rotation of said shaft.

12. The service adapter of claim 9 further including a longitudinally extending slot on said shaft parallel to said axis and a rigid member engaged to said body portion extending into said slot, said rigid member slideable in said slot upon rotation of said rotatable knob and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to said body portion.

13. The service adapter of claim 9, wherein said first and second cylindrical sections are the same diametrical size.

14. A service adapter for use with a coupling communicating with a fluid system, said coupling including a housing extending from a first end to a second end and having a longitudinal passageway extending between said first and second ends and communicating with said fluid system in the area of said second end, said coupling having a valve longitudinally movable in said passageway from a closed mode when in a first longitudinal position to an open mode when in a second longitudinal position, said valve being spaced further from said first end when positioned in said second longitudinal position than when in said first longitudinal position, said adapter comprising:

(a) a body portion extending from an adjustment end to an outlet end and having a longitudinal passageway extending along an axis between said adjustment end and said outlet end and having a lateral port communicating with said passageway, said passageway including a cylindrical section between said port and said outlet end, said outlet end having an opening centered on said axis sized to receive said coupling;

(b) an actuation shaft mounted in said passageway for axial movement therein, said actuation shaft including (i) an axially aligned probe extending to a free end positioned to engage said coupling valve when said coupling is positioned in said outlet end, (ii) a stop engageable with said coupling first end for limiting the depth to which said probe free end may extend into said coupling and (iii) a valve head having a seal;

(c) first and second sleeve members encircling said actuation shaft positioned for movement in said cylindrical section;

(d) a first spring yieldingly urging said first and second sleeve members apart;

(e) said first sleeve member having a sealing face positioned for engagement with and disengagement from said valve head seal, the engagement of said sealing face with said valve head seal limiting the axial movement of said first sleeve member toward said probe free end;

(f) said second sleeve member being movable from a forward position near said outlet end to a retracted position further away from said outlet end in response to movement of said charging port into said body portion, said second sleeve member having an inwardly facing annular seal for sealingly engaging said coupling;

(g) a second spring urging said first sleeve member toward said second sleeve member with a greater force than said first spring yieldingly urging said first and second sleeve members apart; and

(h) an actuator for moving said actuation shaft axially.

15. The service adapter of claim 14, wherein said second sleeve member inwardly facing annular seal sealingly engages said coupling prior to said probe opening said coupling valve in all axial positions of said actuation shaft.

16. The service adapter of claim 15, wherein said body portion has external threads at said adjustment end and said actuator includes (i) a rotatable knob having internal threads engaged to said external threads, rotation of said knob resulting in axial movement thereof on said body portion and (ii) interengaged abutments between said knob and said shaft causing non-rotatable axial movement of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

17. The service adapter of claim 16, wherein frictional resistance of said shaft in said passageway prevents rotation of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

18. The service adapter of claim 16 further including a longitudinally extending slot on said shaft parallel to said axis and a rigid member engaged to said body portion extending into said slot, said rigid member slideable in said slot upon rotation of said rotatable knob and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to said body portion.

19. A service adapter for use with a coupling communicating with a fluid system, said coupling including a housing extending from a first end to a second end and having a longitudinal passageway extending between said first and second ends, and communicating with said fluid system in the area of said second end, said coupling having a valve longitudinally movable in said passageway from a closed mode when in a first longitudinal position to an open mode when in a second longitudinal position, said valve being spaced further from said first end when positioned in said second longitudinal position than when in said first longitudinal position, said adapter comprising:

(a) a body portion extending from an adjustment end to an outlet end and having a longitudinal passageway extending along an axis between said adjustment end and said outlet end and having a lateral port communicating with said passageway, said passageway including a cylindrical section between said port and said outlet end, said outlet end having an opening centered on said axis sized to receive said coupling;

(b) an actuation shaft mounted in said passageway for axial movement therein, said actuation shaft including (i) an axially aligned probe extending to a free end positioned to engage said coupling valve when said coupling is positioned in said outlet end, (ii) a stop engageable with said coupling first end for limiting the depth to which said probe free end may extend into said coupling and (iii) a valve head having a seal;

(c) first and second sleeve members encircling said actuation shaft positioned for movement in said cylindrical section;

(d) a first spring yieldingly urging said first and second sleeve members apart;

(e) said first sleeve member having a sealing face positioned for engagement with and disengagement from said valve head seal means, the engagement of said sealing face with said valve head seal means limiting the axial movement of said first sleeve member toward said probe free end;

(f) said second sleeve member being movable from a forward position near said outlet end to a retracted position further away from said outlet end in response to movement of said charging port into said body portion, said second sleeve member having an inwardly facing annular seal for sealingly engaging said coupling;

(g) a second spring urging said first sleeve member toward said second sleeve member with a greater force than said first spring yieldingly urging said first and second sleeve members apart; and

(h) an actuator for moving said actuation shaft axially, whereby movement of said actuation shaft toward said outlet end when said second sleeve member is held in said retracted position by said engaged coupling permits said first sleeve to be urged by said second spring into engagement with said second sleeve, the continued movement of said actuation shaft

(A) displacing said valve head seal from said first sleeve sealing face and,

(B) moving said coupling valve longitudinally to an open position, to thereby open flow for fluid from said lateral port through said coupling.

20. A service adapter according to claim 19, wherein said second sleeve member inwardly facing annular seal is positioned to sealingly engage said inlet coupling prior to said shaft first end engaging said inlet coupling axially displaceable valve when said shaft is in the forward position.

21. A service adapter according to claim 19, wherein said body portion has external threads at said adjustment end and said actuator includes (i) a rotatable knob having internal threads engaged to said external threads, rotation of said knob resulting in axial movement thereof on said body portion and (ii) interengageable abutments between said knob and said shaft causing non-rotatable axial movement of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

22. The service adapter of claim 19, wherein frictional resistance of said shaft in said passageway prevents rotation of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

23. The service adapter of claim 19 further including a longitudinally extending slot on said shaft parallel to said axis and a rigid member engaged to said body portion extending into said slot, said rigid member slideable in said slot upon rotation of said rotatable knob and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to said body portion.

24. A service adapter according to claim 20, wherein said body portion has external threads at said adjustment end and said actuator includes (i) a rotatable knob having internal threads engaged to said external threads, rotation of said knob resulting in axial movement thereof on said body portion and (ii) interengageable abutments between said knob and said shaft causing non-rotatable axial movement of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

25. The service adapter of claim 20, wherein frictional resistance of said shaft in said passageway prevents rotation of said shaft upon rotation of said knob.

26. The service adapter of claim 20 further including a longitudinally extending slot on said shaft parallel to said axis and a rigid member engaged to said body portion extending into said slot, said rigid member slideable in said slot upon rotation of said rotatable knob and preventing rotation of said shaft relative to said body portion.

27. 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, said manually activated valve including an annular seal, a sleeve member axially displaceable within said service adapter body passage, said sleeve member including a valve seat positioned to be sealingly engaged to said annular seal, a spring within said service adapter body passage biasing said sleeve member to a position in which said valve seat engages said annular seal, a rotatable knob threadedly engaged to said body and engaged to said manually actuated valve by a connector permitting rotation of said knob relative to said body without causing rotation of said manually actuated valve, said rotation causing axial displacement of said manually actuated valve between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position, said sleeve member valve seat being maintained in a sealed condition with said annular seal when said service adapter is disconnected from said charging port regardless of the axial position of said manually actuated valve, and when said service adapter body is fully connected to said charging port, said sleeve member being axially movable relative to said manually adjustable valve whereby movement of said manually actuated valve from said retracted position to said extended position separates said annular seal from said sleeve member valve seat, the improvement wherein said manually actuated valve has a first enlarged shoulder facing in a direction toward said releasable locking means and a second shoulder facing said first enlarged shoulder and cooperating therewith to define an annular groove in which said annular seal is positioned, said annular seal having a trailing face engaged to said first enlarged shoulder and a leading face engaged to said second shoulder, said leading face having an outer portion extending radially beyond said second shoulder and a stop member mounted on said manually adjustable shaft, said stop member engaged to said leading face outer portion.

28. The service adapter of claim 27 wherein said annular seal has an annular ledge extending from said leading face outer portion toward said trailing face and an annular shoulder extending outwardly from said annular ledge and said stop member engages at least one of said annular ledge and said annular shoulder.

29. 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, said manually activated valve including an annular seal, a sleeve member axially displaceable within said service adapter body passage, said sleeve member including a valve seat positioned to be sealingly engaged to said annular seal, a spring within said service adapter body passage biasing said sleeve member to a position in which said valve seat engages said annular seal, a rotatable knob threadedly engaged to said body and engaged to said manually actuated valve by a connector permitting rotation of said knob relative to said body without causing rotation of said manually actuated valve, said rotation causing axial displacement of said manually actuated valve between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position, said sleeve member valve seat being maintained in a sealed condition with said annular seal when said service adapter is disconnected from said charging port regardless of the axial position of said manually actuated valve, and when said service adapter body is fully connected to said charging port, said sleeve member being axially movable relative to said manually adjustable valve whereby movement of said manually actuated valve from said retracted position to said extended position separates said annular seal from said sleeve member valve seat, the improvement wherein said manually actuated valve has a first enlarged shoulder facing in a direction toward said releasable locking means and a second shoulder facing said first enlarged shoulder and cooperating therewith to define an annular groove in which said annular seal is positioned, said annular seal being affixed to said manually adjustable valve in non-bonded relationship thereto.

30. In a service adapter for adding refrigerant to a refrigeration system having a charging port with an annular end defining an inlet, said service adapter comprising a 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 said charging port, a manually actuated axially displaceable valve within said service adapter body, said manually activated valve including an annular seal, a sleeve member axially displaceable within said service adapter body passage, said sleeve member including a valve seat positioned to be sealingly engaged to said annular seal, a spring within said service adapter body passage biasing said sleeve member to a position in which said valve seat engages said annular seal, a rotatable knob threadedly engaged to said body and engaged to said manually actuated valve by a connector permitting rotation of said knob relative to said body without causing rotation of said manually actuated valve, said rotation causing axial displacement of said manually actuated valve between a retracted axial position and an extended axial position, said sleeve member valve seat being maintained in a sealed condition with said annular seal when said service adapter is disconnected from said charging port regardless of the axial position of said manually actuated valve, and when said service adapter body is fully connected to said charging port, said sleeve member being axially movable relative to said manually adjustable valve whereby movement of said manually actuated valve from said retracted position to said extended position separates said annular seal from said sleeve member valve seat, the improvement wherein said manually actuated valve has a stop member mounted thereon, said stop member engageable with said charging port annular end to limit the depth to which said manually actuated valve may extend into said charging port.

31. The service adapter according to claim 30 further including a second sleeve member axially movable in said service adapter body passage positioned between said axially displaceable sleeve member and said releasable locking means, said second sleeve member engaging said charging port when said service adapter is fully connected to said charging port to limit axial movement of said axially displaceable sleeve toward said charging port.