Method and apparatus for servicing a pressurized system
First Claim
1. A purge fitting comprising:
- a body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a vent port, anda purge actuator exterior to the body, the purge actuator having an open position and a closed position and a button adjacent to the vent port, the purge actuator sealing the vent port when the actuator is in the closed position and the seal being broken when the purge actuator is in the open position,the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the closed position, and the vent port, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the open position, flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being substantially unrestricted when the purge actuator is in the open position and the closed position,wherein the purge actuator includes a shaft extending into the body to a shaft retaining member and into a recess of a plug in the body.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for servicing a pressurized system is described. A purge fitting can be used to vent the pressurized system. Venting can release a gas, such as air, from the system. The pressurized system can be a climate control system (e.g., an air conditioning or refrigeration system), a brake system, a hydraulic system, or a service device for servicing a climate control system. The purge fitting allows air that may be trapped in the pressurized system to be vented by depressing a purge actuator, such as a purge button attached to the fitting. The air can be vented from an opening adjacent to the actuator or other orifice. By purging air directly from the system, the amount of air introduced into the system during servicing can be minimized. The invention also features a coupling member that can be compact in size. The coupling member can include a self-sealing valve assembly that prevents opening the coupling member until a proper coupling interconnection with a system to be serviced has taken place. The purge fitting can be incorporated in the coupling member or other service device.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A purge fitting comprising:
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a body having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a vent port, and a purge actuator exterior to the body, the purge actuator having an open position and a closed position and a button adjacent to the vent port, the purge actuator sealing the vent port when the actuator is in the closed position and the seal being broken when the purge actuator is in the open position, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the closed position, and the vent port, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the open position, flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being substantially unrestricted when the purge actuator is in the open position and the closed position, wherein the purge actuator includes a shaft extending into the body to a shaft retaining member and into a recess of a plug in the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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- 4. A method of venting a pressurized system comprising moving a purge actuator from a closed position to an open position, the purge actuator being a portion of a coupling member or a portion of a purge fitting having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a vent port, the purge actuator having a button adjacent to the vent port wherein the purge actuator includes a shaft extending into the body to a shaft retaining member and into a recess of a plug in the body, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the closed position, and the vent port, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the open position, flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being substantially unrestricted when the purge actuator is in the open position and the closed position.
- 8. A method of venting a pressurized system comprising moving a purge actuator from a closed position to an open position, the purge actuator being a portion of a coupling member or a portion of a purge fitting having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a vent port, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the closed position, and the vent port, the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being in fluid communication when the purge actuator is in the open position, flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet being substantially unrestricted when the purge actuator is in the open position and the closed position, wherein the purge actuator is a portion of a coupling member comprising a first end engageable with a service port, a valve within the coupling member, and a purge actuator capable of opening the valve.
Specification