Access port (suitable for fluid/refrigerant system)

• US 6,848,670 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker Intangibles LLC (Parker-Hannifin Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Inventors: Field, John C., Gifford, Keith H., Haunhorst, Gregory A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US10/159,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20030015679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 251/149.6, 251/149.9, 137/614.02, 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614.05, 137/614.06, 62/77, 622/92, 622/98, 622/99
• US Class Current: 251/149.6
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/80 Dust covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/23 by means of balls
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 37/32 at least one of two lift valves being opened automatically when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2345/006 characterised by charging or discharging valves
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 41/40 Fluid line arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 45/00 Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant

Abstract

An access port includes a process port with a removable valve core. An adapter is receivable within an end of the process port, and includes a depressor which can engage a valve within the valve core. The process port allows correction of standard female coupling members for rapid in-plant processing of air conditioning and refrigeration systems; while the use of the adapter with the process port permits the connection of standard field service equipment, to facilitate repair of the air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

Claims

1. An access port to allow fluid communication with an air conditioning or refrigeration system during manufacture and in-field service, the access port comprising a process port and an adapter removeably connected to the process port, the process port including a valve core with a valve normally biased into a closed position preventing fluid flow through the access port, and the adapter including a depressor slidably supported within a central duct of the adapter, wherein the depressor is moved into engagement with the valve upon connection of an external process conduit to the adapter, to move the valve into an open position and allow fluid flow through the access port, wherein the process port includes a quick connect and disconnect feature to allow the process port to be connected to a female coupling for in-plant evacuation, charging and testing of the system, and wherein a metal-to-metal seal is provided between the adapter and the process port to prevent fluid leakage therebetween without an O-ring sealing device, the adapter including an annular edge which engages an internal frustoconical end surface of the process port.

2. The access port as in claim 1, wherein the adapter includes an annular knife edge projecting axially outward from a flat annular surface of the adapter, which engages an annular end surface of the process port to fluidly seal the adapter to the process port.

3. The access port as in claim 1, wherein the depressor is freely-slideable within the central duct of the adapter.

4. The access port as in claim 1, wherein the adapter includes a quick connect and disconnect feature to allow the adapter to be connected to field service equipment.

5. The access port as in claim 4, wherein the adapter is received internally in a central duct of the process port, and the adapter and process port include cooperating threads to retain the adapter to the process port.

6. An access port to allow fluid communication with an air conditioning or refrigeration system during manufacture and in-field service, the access port comprising a process port and an adapter removeably connected to the process port, the process port including a valve core with a valve normally biased into a closed position preventing fluid flow through the access port, and the adapter including a depressor slidably supported within a central duct of the adapter, wherein the depressor is moved into engagement with the valve upon connection of an external process conduit to the adapter, to move the valve into an open position and allow fluid flow through the access port, wherein the process port includes a quick connect and disconnect feature to allow the process port to be connected to a female coupling for in-plant evacuation, charging and testing of the system, and wherein the adapter includes a retaining feature to limit the axial movement of the depressor in the central duct of the adapter, and wherein the depressor comprises a body and a plurality of legs projecting radially from the body, the legs guiding the depressor within the central duct of the adapter.