Rapid evacuation and charging system, and apparatus and methods relating thereto
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
- a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop, fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion comprising a detent groove to permit connection with a latching connector; and
a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including;
a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seal;
b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat; and
c) a port through which fluid flow can occur.
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Abstract
A system for performing rapid charging and evacuation of systems that contain a fluid, such as cooling systems on refrigeration products. In addition, the invention relates to methods of accomplishing rapid charging and evacuation, as well as to tools that form part of the system and that are used to accomplish the methods.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
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a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop, fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion comprising a detent groove to permit connection with a latching connector; and
a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including;
a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seal;
b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat; and
c) a port through which fluid flow can occur. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
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a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends;
a latching connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to releasably connect said body to the valve seat, wherein said latching connector comprises a latching ball connector; and
a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end of said body. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
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a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends;
a connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to connect said body to the valve seat; and
a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end or said body, said removal/insertion mechanism including a split collet assembly for gripping the valve core. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
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a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends, said open end of said body having a hex;
a connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to connect said body to the valve seat; and
a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end of said body, and said removal/insertion mechanism further includes a drive hex.
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23. A method of performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
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attaching a service connection valve to the closed loop fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is removably connected to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion that is adapted to permit connection with a latching connector;
latching a service tool to said valve seat using a latching connector, said service tool including a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve scat;
removing said valve core from said valve seat using said removal/insertion mechanism of said service tool; and
performing a processing operation on the closed loop fluid system through said valve seat. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A coupling for conducting servicing operations through a valve seat, comprising:
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a body having first and second open ends and a flow path extending through said body between the first and second ends;
a latching connector associated with the first open end of said body to latch said body to the valve seat; and
a valve core associated with the second open end of said body controlling flow through said second open end, said valve core includes a portion thereof that projects beyond the second open end, and the portion of said valve core that projects beyond the second open end includes an exterior surface with a detent groove and threads adjacent the detent groove. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
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a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion that is adapted to permit connection with a latching connector; and
a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including;
a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seat, said latching connector comprising a latching ball connector;
b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat; and
c) a port through which fluid flow can occur.
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29. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
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a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion that is adapted to permit connection with a latching connector; and
a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including;
a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seat;
b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat, said removal/insertion mechanism includes a split collet assembly for gripping said valve core; and
c) a port through which fluid flow can occur.
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30. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
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a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends;
a latching connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to releasably connect said body to the valve seat; and
a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body in between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end of said body, wherein said removal/insertion mechanism comprises a socket that is designed to hold and retain said valve core, and said socket includes a split collet assembly disposed therein.
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Specification