For a refrigerant service line coupling device
First Claim
1. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising:
- (a) an outer body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface having a threaded distal end portion, the radially inwardly facing surface including a circumferential fluid passageway portion,(b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface,(c) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein, the inner body member including a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner body member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining at least a partial boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway,(d) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member,(e) a control cap member adjustably positionable with respect to the outer body, the control cap member including a generally sheet-like radially extending portion having a perimeter and an axially extending flange portion disposed generally adjacent to the perimeter of the radially extending portion, the axially extending flange portion including threads for engaging the threaded distal end portion of the radially outwardly facing surface of the outer body portion and(f) a means for coupling the control cap member and inner body member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member permits axial movement of the inner body member and pin depressor member.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A coupling member is provided for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port of a refrigeration system. The coupling member includes a generally cylindrical body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface. The radially inwardly facing surface includes a circumferential fluid passageway portion. A radially extending fluid inlet passageway extends between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface. An inner sleeve member is disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein. The inner sleeve member includes a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner sleeve member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining a boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway. A pin depressor member is disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner sleeve. A control cap member is adjustably positioned with respect to the body. A member is also provided for coupling the control cap member and the inner sleeve member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member imparts axial movement to the inner sleeve member and the pin depressor member.
49 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising:
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(a) an outer body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface having a threaded distal end portion, the radially inwardly facing surface including a circumferential fluid passageway portion, (b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface, (c) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein, the inner body member including a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner body member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining at least a partial boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway, (d) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member, (e) a control cap member adjustably positionable with respect to the outer body, the control cap member including a generally sheet-like radially extending portion having a perimeter and an axially extending flange portion disposed generally adjacent to the perimeter of the radially extending portion, the axially extending flange portion including threads for engaging the threaded distal end portion of the radially outwardly facing surface of the outer body portion and (f) a means for coupling the control cap member and inner body member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member permits axial movement of the inner body member and pin depressor member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising:
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(a) an outer body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface the radially inwardly facing surface including a circumferential fluid passageway portion, (b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface, (c) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein, the inner body member including a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner body member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining at least a partial boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway, (d) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member, e) a control cap member adjustably positionable with respect to the outer body member, and (f) a means for coupling the control cap member and inner body member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member facilitates axial movement of the inner body member and pin depressor member, wherein the control cap member includes a radially extending portion, and an aperture formed in the radially extending portion, and the means for coupling the control cap member and inner body member comprises a plug member insertable through the aperture and coupled to the inner body member. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising:
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an outer body member having a proximal end portion a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface, the radially inwardly facing surface including a circumferential fluid passageway portion, (b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface, (c) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein, the inner body member including a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner body member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining at least a partial boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway, (d) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member, the pin depressor member including an axially extending distal stem portion, a valve portion, and a pin depressing stem extending axially from the valve portion, (e) a control cap member adjustably positionable with respect to the outer body member, and (f) a means for coupling the control cap member and inner body member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member permits axial movement of the inner body member and pin depressor member. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising;
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(a) an outer body member having a proximal end portion a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface the radially inwardly facing surface including a circumferential fluid passageway portion, (b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface, (c) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein the inner body member including a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner body member, and a radially outwardly facing surface defining at least a partial boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway, (d) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member, (e) a control cap member adjustably positionable with respect to the outer body member, and (f) means for coupling the control cap member ad inner body member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member permit axial movement of the inner body member and pin depressor member, the means for coupling the control cap and inner body member includes a plug member operatively coupled to each of the control cap member and inner body member. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising
(a) a generally cylindrical outer body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface, the radially inwardly facing surface having a plurality of segments of different diameter, including a relatively enlarged diameter circumferential fluid passageway portion, a first gasket means positioned in a distal direction from the circumferential fluid passageway portion, and a second gasket means positioned in a proximal direction from the circumferential fluid passageway portion, (b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface, (c) a fluid conduit port coupled to the radially extending fluid inlet passageway for coupling the refrigerant line to the coupling member, (d) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein, the inner body member having a threaded distal end, a proximal end, and a wall extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the wall including a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior, a radially outwardly facing surface defining a boundary of the circumferential fluid passageway, and at least one aperture extending through the wall between the radially inwardly facing surface and the radially outwardly facing surface to permit fluid flow between the circumferential passageway and the interior of the inner body member, the proximal end of the inner body member including an axially opening aperture defining a valve seat, (e) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member, the pin depressor member including (1) an axially extending distal stem portion, (2) a valve portion for selectively engaging the valve seat in a sealing relation, (3) a pin depressing stem extending axially from the valve portion, (f) a biasing means for biasing the valve portion into engagement with the valve seat, (g) a control cap member threadedly engaged to the radially outwardly facing surface of the outer body member, the control cap member including a control cap aperture, (h) a plug member including a head portion disposed distally of the control cap member, and a probe portion extending through the control cap aperture, the probe portion being threadedly engaged to the inner body member to fixedly couple the control cap member, plug member, and inner body member so that rotation of the control cap member in its threaded engagement with the body imparts axial movement to the plug member, inner body member and pin depressor member, and (i) an engagement means disposed at the proximal end of the outer body member for engaging the refrigerant port.
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23. A coupling member for coupling a refrigerant line to a refrigerant port, the coupling member comprising:
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(a) an outer body member having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, a radially inwardly facing surface defining an axially extending interior passageway, and a radially outwardly facing surface having a threaded distal end portion, the radially inwardly facing surface including a circumferential fluid passageway portion, (b) a radially extending fluid inlet passageway extending between the circumferential fluid passageway and the radially outwardly facing surface, (c) a radially extending fluid conduit port including a relatively enlarged diameter portion disposed in a spaced relation to the outwardly facing surface of the outer body member, and a relatively reduced diameter portion at least partially disposed between the relatively enlarged diameter portion of the fluid conduit port and the outwardly facing surface of the outer body member, the relatively enlarged diameter portion of the radially extending fluid conduit and the outwardly facing surface of the outer body member defining a space therebetween, (d) an inner body member disposed in the axially extending interior passageway for axial movement therein, the inner body member including a wall having a radially inwardly facing surface defining an interior of the inner body member, and a radially outwardly facing surface, (e) a pin depressor member disposed at least partially in the interior of the inner body member, (f) a control cap member adjustably positionable with respect to the outer body, the control cap member including an axially extending flange portion sized and positioned for being at least partially received in the space between the relatively enlarged diameter portion of the fluid conduit and the radially outwardly facing surface of the outer body member, and (g) a means for coupling the control cap member and inner body member so that adjustment of the axial position of the control cap member permits axial movement of the inner body member and pin depressor member. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification