# US 2017/0284716 A1 · Refrigeration charging devices and methods of use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284716 A1 - Document ID: US20170284716A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/623,705 - Filed: 2017-06-15 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-07 - Assignees: The Armor All/Stp Products Company - Applicants: The Armor All/Stp Products Company - Inventors: Vincent CARRUBBA; Kenneth Alan PISTONE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284716A1 ## CPC - F25B 45/00: Arrangements for charging or discharging refrigerant - F25B: REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ## Abstract Servicing devices and methods of use for servicing refrigerant systems are described herein. A servicing device may include a body and actuator. The body includes a first fluid port that is coupleable to a fluid port of a fluid source; a second fluid port, that is operatively couples to a refrigeration system; a passage in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports and in fluid communication; and a plunger at least partially disposed in the passage of the body, and the plunger is adjustable between a released position and an engaged position, during use. The actuator is coupled to the body, and, during use, downward movement the actuator raises or lowers a plunger such that substantially continuous fluid communication between the first fluid port and the second fluid port is established. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for servicing a refrigeration system, comprising: a body comprising: a first fluid port, wherein the first fluid port operatively couples to a fluid source; a second fluid port, wherein the second fluid port operatively couples to a fluid port of refrigeration system; and a plunger having a piercing member, wherein the plunger is at least partially disposed in the passage of the body, a first portion of the plunger is configured to seal the second fluid port during use, wherein the plunger is adjustable between an open and closed position during use; and wherein the plunger is capable of opening two types of fluid sources by piercing a seal of the fluid source or by depressing a valve of the fluid source; and an actuator coupled to the body, and wherein, during use, downward movement of the actuator moves the first portion of the plunger to allow fluid communication between the first fluid port and the second fluid port; wherein the fluid source is configured to be hand-held and the downward movement of the actuator is performed by a portion of the hand that is holding the fluid source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a sealing member coupled to the plunger for sealing at least a portion of the passage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein, during use, simultaneous engagement of the piercing member with fluid source seal and downward movement of the actuator allows substantially continuous fluid communication between the fluid source and the body; and/or wherein, during use, upward movement of the actuator inhibits fluid communication between the fluid source and the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure gauge positioned between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure gauge and at least two conduits, a first of the conduits is positioned between the first fluid port and the pressure gauge and a second conduit is positioned between the pressure gauge and the second fluid port. ### Claim 6 A method of servicing a refrigeration system, comprising: providing a first fluid port of a servicing device to a fluid port of a fluid source; providing a second fluid port of the servicing device to a fluid port of a refrigeration system, wherein a portion of a plunger of the servicing device seals the second fluid port; wherein the plunger is adjustable between an open and closed position during use; contacting the plunger with a seal a or a valve of the fluid source to open the fluid source; wherein the plunger is capable of opening two types of fluid sources by piercing a seal of the fluid source or by depressing a valve of the fluid source; providing the fluid source to a first portion of a hand of a user; and actuating a lever of the servicing device with second portion of the hand to move the plunger such that fluid communication between the refrigeration system the fluid source is established. ### Claim 7 A device for servicing a refrigeration system, comprising: a body comprising: a first fluid port, wherein the first fluid port operatively couples to a fluid source; a plunger, the plunger capable of opening two types of fluid sources by piercing a seal of the fluid source and/or by depressing a valve of the fluid source; a second fluid port, wherein the second fluid port operatively couples to a fluid port of refrigeration system; and a plunger seal at least partially disposed in the passage of the body, the plunger seal is configured to seal the second fluid port during use, wherein the plunger is adjustable between an open and closed position during use; and an actuator coupled to the body, and wherein, during use, downward movement of the actuator moves the plunger, opening the valve of the fluid source and/or piercing the seal of the fluid source while simultaneously adjusting the position of the plunger seal to allow fluid communication between the first fluid port and the second fluid port; wherein the fluid source is configured to be hand-held and the downward movement of the actuator is performed by a portion of the hand that is holding the fluid source. ### Claim 8 A device for servicing a refrigerant system, the device comprising: a body comprising: a first fluid port, wherein the first fluid port is adapted to be coupled to a fluid port of a fluid source; a second fluid port, wherein the second fluid port is adapted to be coupled to a refrigeration system; a passage in fluid communication with the first and second fluid ports; and a plunger at least partially disposed in the passage, wherein the plunger is adjustable between a released position and an engaged position, and wherein the plunger is adapted to open a type of fluid source having a seal by piercing the seal of the fluid source and adapted to open a fluid source having a valve which is open when depressed by depressing the valve of the fluid source; and an actuator mechanically coupled to the body and to the plunger and disposed such that movement of the actuator moves the plunger to establish substantially continuous fluid communication between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a sealing member coupled to the plunger for sealing at least a portion of the passage. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein, during use, simultaneous engagement of the piercing member with fluid source seal and downward movement of the actuator allows substantially continuous fluid communication between the fluid source and the body; and/or wherein, during use, upward movement of the actuator inhibits fluid communication between the fluid source and the body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a pressure gauge positioned between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a pressure gauge and at least two conduits, a first of the conduits is positioned between the first fluid port and the pressure gauge and a second conduit is positioned between the pressure gauge and the second fluid port. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the plunger is disposed in the passage of the body such that the plunger is at least substantially free to rotate within a selected angular range; wherein a magnitude of the selected angular range is at least about 90 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the plunger comprises one or more gaskets for inhibiting unintentional release of fluid from the body during use ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein first fluid port comprises a coupling element at least substantially complementary to a coupling element of the fluid port of the fluid source. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a biasing member, wherein the plunger is positioned inside the biasing member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a pressure gauge positioned between the first fluid port and the second fluid port. ### Claim 18 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a pressure gauge and at least two conduits, a first of the conduits is positioned between the first fluid port and the pressure gauge and a second conduit is positioned between the pressure gauge and the second fluid port. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein rotation of the actuator engages the plunger into a locked position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, further comprising a handle mechanically coupled to the actuator, the handle including a stop and gripping elements.