Apparatus and method for testing, filling and purging closed fluid systems

An evacuation unit for testing the fluid tightness of a closed fluid system having an access port and for filling the system with system fluid through said access port, comprising:

• a source of system fluid;
• vacuum pump means for producing a vacuum of a predetermined pressure less than atmospheric pressure, said vacuum pump means includes a source of air under pressure, a venturi, and conduit means interconnecting said pressurized air source and said venturi;
• connection means for releasable and sealable connection to an access port of a closed fluid system, said connection means includes a flexible hose having opposite ends, a filler head on one end of said hose for attachment to said access port, an coupling means on the other end of said hose;
• valve means disposed between said coupling means and said source of system fluid for selective positioning between a first position communicating said vacuum pump means with said connection means to produce a vacuum in the system, a second position isolating said connection means and system to test for fluid tightness, and a third position communicating said system fluid source with said connection means for filling the system with system fluid;
• and
• a separation tank disposed between said vacuum pump means and said valve means so that system fluid drawn therein separates into a liquid phase and a gas phase to remove entrained gas from said system fluid when said valve means is in said first position.