Refrigeration system service coupling
First Claim
1. A service coupling for connecting a refrigerant source to a refrigeration system having an inlet port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, comprising:
- (a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the refrigerant source;
(b) an axially moveable valve housing received in the central passageway, the valve housing including an inner cavity in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path, a service valve sealingly engaged within the inner cavity to close the flow path, and at least one pressure balancing passage extending therethrough;
(c) a connector releasably engaging the service coupling to the inlet port; and
(d) an actuator for moving the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, wherein axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position causes the service valve to abut and disengage the port valve from sealing engagement in the inlet port and the service valve from sealing engagement in the valve housing to open the flow path, and wherein axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position creates a void between an end of the valve housing and the body portion, the void provided in communication with the flow path by the at least one pressure balancing passage such that the refrigerant pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A service coupling is provided that includes a body portion and an axially moveable valve housing disposed in a central passageway of the body portion. The valve housing includes at least one pressure balancing passage extending therethrough and a service valve sealingly engaged within an inner cavity of the valve housing. An actuator moves the valve housing to a forward position that causes the service valve to abut a port valve of a refrigerant system inlet port and disengage the service valve from sealing engagement within the cavity to open a flow path. The axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position also creates a void between the valve housing and the body portion. The void is provided in communication with the flow path by the at least one pressure balancing passage, such that the refrigerant pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing.
-
Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A service coupling for connecting a refrigerant source to a refrigeration system having an inlet port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, comprising:
-
(a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the refrigerant source;
(b) an axially moveable valve housing received in the central passageway, the valve housing including an inner cavity in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path, a service valve sealingly engaged within the inner cavity to close the flow path, and at least one pressure balancing passage extending therethrough;
(c) a connector releasably engaging the service coupling to the inlet port; and
(d) an actuator for moving the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, wherein axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position causes the service valve to abut and disengage the port valve from sealing engagement in the inlet port and the service valve from sealing engagement in the valve housing to open the flow path, and wherein axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position creates a void between an end of the valve housing and the body portion, the void provided in communication with the flow path by the at least one pressure balancing passage such that the refrigerant pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A service coupling for connecting a refrigerant source to a refrigeration system having an inlet port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, comprising:
-
(a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the refrigerant source;
(b) an axially moveable valve housing received in the central passageway, the valve housing including an inner cavity in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path and a service valve sealingly engaged within the inner cavity to close the flow path;
(c) at least one bleed passage for venting refrigerant trapped between the service coupling and the inlet port prior to disconnection;
(d) a connector releasably engaging the service coupling to the inlet port; and
(e) an actuator for moving the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, the axial movement of the valve housing causing the service valve to abut and disengage the port valve from sealing engagement in the inlet port and the service valve from sealing engagement in the valve housing to open the flow path, wherein movement of the valve housing to the forward position seals the bleed passage and movement of the valve housing to the rearward position closes the flow path and permits refrigerant trapped between inlet port and service coupling to be released through the unsealed bleed passage. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A service coupling for connecting a refrigerant source to a refrigeration system having an inlet port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, comprising:
-
(a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the refrigerant source, the lateral port including a coupling member having a restrictor that restricts fluid flow through the service coupling in a first direction and permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow in a second direction opposite the first direction;
(b) an axially moveable valve housing received in the central passageway, the valve housing including an inner cavity in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path and a service valve sealingly engaged within the inner cavity to close the flow path;
(c) a connector releasably engaging the service coupling to the inlet port; and
(d) an actuator for moving the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, the axial movement of the valve housing causing the service valve to abut and disengage the port valve from sealing engagement in the inlet port and the service valve from sealing engagement in the valve housing to open the flow path. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A service coupling for connecting a refrigerant source to a refrigeration system having an inlet port that includes an axially displaceable port valve, comprising:
-
(a) a body portion extending along an axis from an adjustment end to an outlet end, the body portion including a central passageway and a lateral port positioned between the ends to provide communication between the central passageway and the refrigerant source, the lateral port including a coupling member having a restrictor that restricts fluid flow through the service coupling in a first direction and permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow in a second direction opposite the first direction;
(b) an axially moveable valve housing received in the central passageway, the valve housing including an inner cavity in communication with the lateral port to form a flow path, a service valve sealingly engaged within the inner cavity to close the flow path, and at least one pressure balancing passage extending therethrough;
(c) at least one bleed passage for venting refrigerant trapped between the service coupling and the inlet port prior to disconnection;
(d) a connector releasably engaging the service coupling to the inlet port; and
(e) an actuator for moving the valve housing from a rearward position toward the adjustment end to a forward position toward the outlet end, wherein axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position seals the bleed passage and causes the service valve to abut and disengage the port valve from sealing engagement in the inlet port and the service valve from sealing engagement in the valve housing to open a refrigerant flow path, the axial movement of the valve housing to the forward position creating a void between the valve housing and the body portion, the void provided in communication with the flow path by the at least one pressure balancing passage such that the refrigerant pressure is substantially balanced on either end of the valve housing, and wherein movement of the valve housing to the rearward position closes the flow path and permits refrigerant trapped between inlet port and service coupling to be released through the unsealed bleed passage. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
-
Specification