Isolated refrigerant identifier

In a refrigerant handling system including recycling/recharging apparatus for withdrawing refrigerant from a refrigerant unit having high-pressure and low-pressure ports, removing contaminants from the refrigerant, and recharging the refrigerant to the refrigeration unit, the improvement comprising:

• two coupling assemblies for respectively coupling said high-pressure and low-pressure ports to the recycling/recharging apparatus;
• each of said coupling assemblies including:
• a coupling conduit having a first end with a first coupler for coupling to the recycling/recharging apparatus and a second end with a second coupler for coupling to an associated refrigeration unit,
• a remotely controllable first valve assembly connected in said coupling conduit closely adjacent to said second end for selectively controlling refrigeration flow through the conduit, and
• a sample line communicating with the second coupler and having a distal end with a sample coupler;
• a sample unit coupled to the sample coupler of one of the coupling assemblies and including a second remotely controllable valve assembly coupled to the recycling/recharging apparatus for selectively permitting or preventing refrigerant flow between the sample unit and the recycling/recharging apparatus;
• and
• a controller connected to said first and second valve assemblies for controlling operation thereof.

A coupling assembly for coupling an automotive air conditioner to a refrigerant handling system comprising:

• a housing,
• a first conduit passing through the housing and having a first end with a first fluid coupler for coupling to the handling system and a second end with a second fluid coupler for coupling to the air conditioner,
• an electrically controlled valve assembly coupled in said first conduit and disposed in said housing,
• electrical conductors electrically connected to said valve assembly for control thereof and having distal ends outside of said housing connected to an electrical connector,
• a second conduit communicating with said first conduit within said housing between said second fluid coupler and said valve assembly and having a distal end external of said housing, and
• a third fluid coupler at said distal end of said second conduit.