Refrigerant service port valve for air conditioners
First Claim
1. A refrigerant service port valve, comprising:
- an elongated pipe adapted for inline insertion into a refrigerant system, the pipe defining a main fluid conduit, the pipe having an exterior;
a pedestal rigidly attached to the exterior of the pipe, the pedestal and the pipe having a bore extending therethrough defining a lower service passage communicating with the main service passage, the pedestal further having an internally threaded blind bore defined therein extending parallel to the lower service passage;
a slider slidably mounted on the pedestal;
a service port fitting mounted on the slider, the fitting having an axial bore extending therethrough defining an upper service passage, the slider being movable between a closed position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the blind bore while the slider closes the lower service passage, and an open position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the lower service passage to define a refrigerant service port and means for providing a fluid-tight seal between said service port fitting and said pedestal when said slider is in the open position; and
a setscrew disposed in the blind bore, the setscrew being accessible through the refrigeration service port and movable between a position in which the set screw is entirely disposed in the blind bore to permit sliding the slider to the open position, and a position in which a portion of the setscrew is raised into the upper service passage to lock the slider in the closed position.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The refrigerant service port valve for air conditioners has a valve body defining a main fluid conduit adapted for insertion into a coolant line using compression fittings at opposite ends of the conduit. A pedestal is mounted on the exterior conduit wall. The pedestal has a bore therethrough forming a lower service passage that enters the main fluid conduit, and an internally threaded blind bore parallel to the lower service passage. A slider is mounted on the pedestal, the slider having a male quick connect fitting defining an upper service passage. The upper service passage may be aligned with the lower service passage in an open position to service the system, or the slider may be moved to align the upper service passage with the blind bore to access a setscrew, which is raised partially into the upper service passage to lock the valve in a closed position.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A refrigerant service port valve, comprising:
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an elongated pipe adapted for inline insertion into a refrigerant system, the pipe defining a main fluid conduit, the pipe having an exterior; a pedestal rigidly attached to the exterior of the pipe, the pedestal and the pipe having a bore extending therethrough defining a lower service passage communicating with the main service passage, the pedestal further having an internally threaded blind bore defined therein extending parallel to the lower service passage; a slider slidably mounted on the pedestal; a service port fitting mounted on the slider, the fitting having an axial bore extending therethrough defining an upper service passage, the slider being movable between a closed position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the blind bore while the slider closes the lower service passage, and an open position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the lower service passage to define a refrigerant service port and means for providing a fluid-tight seal between said service port fitting and said pedestal when said slider is in the open position; and a setscrew disposed in the blind bore, the setscrew being accessible through the refrigeration service port and movable between a position in which the set screw is entirely disposed in the blind bore to permit sliding the slider to the open position, and a position in which a portion of the setscrew is raised into the upper service passage to lock the slider in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A refrigerant service port valve, comprising:
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an elongated pipe adapted for inline insertion into a refrigerant system, the pipe defining a main fluid conduit, the pipe having an exterior; a flame arrester disposed in the main fluid conduit to prevent flashback and ignition of refrigerant in the system; a check valve cartridge disposed in said main fluid conduit to insure unidirectional flow of refrigerant in the system; a pedestal rigidly attached to the exterior of the pipe, the pedestal and the pipe having a bore extending therethrough defining a lower service passage communicating with the main service passage; a slider slidably mounted on the pedestal; a service port fitting mounted on the slider, the fitting having an axial bore extending therethrough defining an upper service passage, the slider being movable between a closed position in which the slider closes the lower service passage, and an open position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the lower service passage to define a refrigeration service port and means for providing a fluid-tight seal between said service port fitting and said pedestal when said slider is in the open position; and means for locking the slider in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A refrigerant service port valve, comprising:
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an elongated pipe adapted for inline insertion into a refrigerant system, the pipe defining a main fluid conduit, the pipe having an exterior; a pedestal rigidly attached to the exterior of the pipe, the pedestal and the pipe having a bore extending therethrough defining a lower service passage communicating with the main service passage, the pedestal further having an internally threaded blind bore defined therein extending parallel to the lower service passage; a slider slidably mounted on the pedestal; a male quick connect fitting mounted on the slider, the fitting having an axial bore extending therethrough defining an upper service passage, the slider being movable between a closed position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the blind bore while the slider closes the lower service passage, and an open position in which the upper service passage is aligned with the lower service passage to define a refrigeration service port and means for providing a fluid-tight seal between said service port fitting and said pedestal when said slider is in the open position; and a setscrew disposed in the blind bore, the setscrew being accessible through the refrigeration service port and movable between a position in which the set screw is entirely disposed in the blind bore to permit sliding the slider to the open position, and a position in which a portion of the setscrew is raised into the upper service passage to lock the slider in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification