Installing and servicing an HVAC system

• US 6,305,081 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 10/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Trane International Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: American Standard Companies Incorporated (Ideal Standard International Topco SCA)
• Inventors: Beaver, Danny D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hughes, S. Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/187,359
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 62/77, 621/49, 622/92, 137/15, 137/315, 137/317, 137/320, 137/321, 137/596.2, 137/637.2, 137/637.4, 137/614.18, 137/614.19, 137/798, 137/614.17, 137/614.16, 298/901.24, 298/901.4, 298/901.21
• US Class Current: 29/890.124
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00485 Valves for air-conditioning devices, e.g. thermostatic valves valves per se F16K; thermostatic valves per se G05D23/02
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00585 Means for monitoring, testing or servicing the air-conditioning
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 1/04 with a cut-off member rigid with the spindle, e.g. main valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/18 with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2345/006 characterised by charging or discharging valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 41/40 Fluid line arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87137 And reciprocating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87241 Biased closed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87965 Valve- or closure-operated by coupling motion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8803 Also carries head of other valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88046 Biased valve with external operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49345 Catalytic device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49412 with assembly, disassembly or composite article making

Abstract

A valve in valve assembly. The assembly comprises a housing having an internal passage, a valve body in the housing and movably operable to control process fluid flow through the passage, and a chamber in the valve body. The chamber is open to the passage at a first chamber end. A valve core in the chamber controls service fluid flow the chamber.

Claims

1. A method of installing and servicing an HVAC system comprising the steps of:

providing a housing having an internal passage, a valve body in the housing moveably operable to control process fluid flow through the passage, a chamber in the valve body open to the internal passage at a first chamber end, and a secondary valve stem in the chamber and controlling access therethrough;

attaching a service adapter to a second end of the chamber, the service adapter including a body arranged about an internal passageway, a first end on the body, a shaft in the internal passageway, and an extensor portion projecting from the shaft past the first end;

contacting the secondary valve stem with the extensor portion of the service adapter;

biasing the secondary valve stem with the extensor portion to an open position allowing service fluid flow through the chamber; and

servicing process fluid through the chamber.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the servicing step includes the step of evacuating process fluid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the servicing step includes the further step of testing a pressure of the process fluid.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the servicing step includes the further step of charging process fluid into the system.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the servicing step includes the further step of testing the pressure of the process fluid.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the servicing step includes the further step of charging process fluid into the HVAC system through the chamber.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the servicing step includes the further step of testing the pressure of the process fluid.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the attaching step includes the further step of sealingly engaging the service adapter with the housing.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the servicing step includes the steps of adding or removing process fluid without interrupting the operation of the process and without interrupting the flow of process fluid through the internal passage.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the servicing step includes the step of monitoring the pressure of the process fluid without interrupting the operation of a process and without interrupting the flow of process fluid to the internal passage.

11. The method of claim 1 including the further step of engaging sealing surfaces on the service adapter with sealing surfaces on the secondary valve stem to prevent process fluid from entering the chamber when the secondary valve stem is in a closed position.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the servicing step includes further steps of:

moving the valve body into sealing contact with the housing so as to block fluid flow through the internal passage; and

evacuating, charging or venting coolant from the system without disengaging the valve body from the sealing contact with the housing.