An adapter for connecting a refrigerant filling system to a mobile air conditioning system, wherein the refrigerant filling system is configured to dispense a first refrigerant to a first mobile air conditioning system having a first connection valve having a first geometry and a second refrigerant to a second mobile air conditioning system having a second connection valve with a second geometry, the adapter comprising:
- a body comprising a fluid path therethrough;
- a clamping system supported by the body and configured for connecting the adapter to the first connection valve and the second connection valve;
- wherein the clamping system comprises a first preset configuration and a second preset configuration;
- wherein the first preset configuration is associated with connecting the adapter to the first connection valve when the refrigerant filling system is configured to dispense the first refrigerant to the first mobile air conditioning system;
- wherein the second preset configuration is associated with connecting the adapter to the second connection valve when the refrigerant filling system is configured to dispense the second refrigerant to the second mobile air condition system;
- wherein the clamping system is operable to detect whether the refrigerant filling system is connecting to a correct one of the first mobile air conditioning system and the second mobile air conditioning system;
- wherein the clamping system further comprises:
- a slider movable to open and close the fluid path;
- a magnet associated with the slider;
- wherein the slider and the magnet are movable together between a normal position, a first position, and a second position;
- wherein the slider closes the fluid path in the normal position and opens the fluid path in the first position and in the second position;
- a stop piston wherein when the clamping system is in the first preset configuration the stop piston is positioned in a lower preset position and the stop piston prevents movement of the slider and the magnet to the second position, and when the clamping system is in the second preset configuration the stop piston is positioned in an upper preset position and the stop piston does not prevent movement of the slider and the magnet to the second position;
- wherein the stop piston comprises a plunger having a limited stroke that is configured to engage the first connection valve and the second connection valve;
- a path measuring system for detecting the position of the magnet in a correct position or an incorrect position;
- and
- clamping balls retained in a carrier, wherein the clamping balls are configured for engaging the first geometry and locking the adapter to the first connection valve and engaging the second geometry and locking the adapter to the second connection valve;
- wherein when the clamping system is in the first preset configuration and the adapter encounters the first connection valve, the adapter enables the refrigerant filling system to dispense the first refrigerant to the first mobile air conditioning system wherein the slider and the magnet move from the normal position to the first position, the fluid path is open, the path measuring system detects the position of the magnet in the correct position, the clamping balls lock the adapter to the first connection valve, and the plunger engages and opens the first connection valve;
- wherein when the clamping system is in the second preset configuration and the adapter encounters the second connection valve, the adapter enables the refrigerant filling system to dispense the second refrigerant to the second mobile air conditioning system wherein the slider and the magnet move from the normal position to the second position, the fluid path is open, the path measuring system detects the position of the position of the magnet the correct position, the clamping balls lock the adapter to the second connection valve, and the plunger engages and opens the second connection valve;
- wherein when the clamping system is in the first preset configuration and the adapter encounters the second connection valve, the adapter prevents the refrigerant filling system from dispensing the first refrigerant to the second mobile air conditioning system wherein the stop piston limits the movement of the slider and the magnet from the normal position to the first position and the clamping balls are prevented from locking the adapter to the second connection valve;
- and
- wherein when the clamping system is in the second present configuration and the adapter engages the first connection valve, the adapter prevents the refrigerant filling system from dispensing the second refrigerant to the first mobile air conditioning system wherein the slider and the magnet move from the normal position to the first position, the fluid path is open, the path measuring system detects the position of the magnet in the incorrect position, the clamping balls lock the adapter to the second connection valve, and the plunger is inoperable to engage and open the first connection valve.