US 2026/0055944 A1 · REFRIGERANT PORT ADAPTER

Abstract

A refrigerant service port adapter converts an original service port conforming to a first port standard to an adapted service interface conforming to a second port standard without removing the original port. An adapter body has an engagement section with flexible fingers that define an internal concave annulus to nest an external annular collar of the original port. A slidable retaining ring cooperates with an external annular flange on the body to block finger splay in a locked position, providing positive mechanical retention. Anti-rotation guidance between the ring and body permits axial sliding while preventing relative rotation. A bushing-like spacer occupies the annular gap to maintain alignment and may also seal. The port section presents the second-standard interface and may be valved or coreless. The architecture generalizes across refrigerant standards, including 134a↔1234yf and 444a↔456a.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A refrigerant port adapter comprising:

an adapter body having a port section, an intermediate section, and an engagement section;
a plurality of longitudinal grooves extending along the engagement section and defining a plurality of flexible fingers therebetween;
a concave receptacle formed on an interior surface of the flexible fingers and configured to receive an annular collar of an adapted refrigerant port;
an annular flange projecting outwardly from the adapter body between the intermediate section and the engagement section;
a retaining ring slidable along the adapter body between a locked position and an unlocked position, the retaining preventing outward deflection of the flexible fingers when the retaining ring is in the locked position.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Refrigerant port adapter

Life of this patent

Refrigerant port adapter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27