Pressure testing and refrigerant recharging hose assembly for automobiles
AssigneeE.F. Products, Inc.
InventorsWilliam J. Quest, Kerry W. Whitaker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combination pressure measurement/refrigerant charging apparatus may include a shutoff valve that includes a piercing pin and a pressure gauge. The piercing pin may be used to pierce a refrigerant can. The pressure gauge may be used as a handle for operating the shutoff valve. A first end of a hose may be coupled to the shutoff. A quick coupling device may be coupled to a second end of the hose. The quick coupling device may be used to couple the apparatus to a refrigerant system.
Claims35
A combination pressure measurement/refrigerant charging apparatus, comprising:
- a shutoff valve comprising a piercing pin and a pressure gauge, wherein the piercing pin is configured to pierce a refrigerant can during use, and wherein the pressure gauge is configured as a handle for operating the shutoff valve;
- a hose coupled to the shutoff valve at a first end of the hose;
- and
- a quick coupling device coupled to a second end of the hose, wherein the quick coupling device is configured to be coupled to a refrigerant system;
- and
- wherein the shutoff valve is configured to be coupled to the refrigerant can.
A method for pressure testing/refrigerant charging a refrigerant system, comprising:
- coupling a pressure testing/refrigerant charging apparatus to a refrigerant can, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a shutoff valve comprising a piercing pin and a pressure gauge, wherein the piercing pin is configured to pierce the refrigerant can, and wherein the pressure gauge is a handle for operating the shutoff valve;
- a hose coupled to the shutoff valve at a first end of the hose;
- and
- a quick coupling device coupled to a second end of the hose;
- coupling the pressure testing/refrigerant charging apparatus to a refrigerant system using the quick coupling device;
- assessing a pressure of the refrigerant system using the pressure gauge;
- operating the shutoff valve to open the refrigerant can if refrigerant needs to be added to the refrigerant system;
- opening the shutoff valve to allow refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant system;
- and
- closing the shutoff valve to assess the pressure of the refrigerant system after allowing at least some refrigerant to enter the refrigerant system.
A method for pressure testing/refrigerant charging a refrigerant system, comprising:
- coupling a pressure testing/refrigerant charging apparatus to a refrigerant system, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a shutoff valve comprising a piercing pin and a pressure gauge, wherein the piercing pin is configured to pierce a refrigerant can, and wherein the pressure gauge is a handle for operating the shutoff valve;
- a hose coupled to the shutoff valve at a first end of the hose;
- and
- a quick coupling device coupled to a second end of the hose, wherein the quick coupling device is used to couple the apparatus to the refrigerant system;
- assessing a pressure of the refrigerant system using the pressure gauge;
- uncoupling the pressure testing/refrigerant charging apparatus from the refrigerant system;
- coupling a refrigerant can to the pressure testing/refrigerant charging apparatus if refrigerant needs to be added to the refrigerant system;
- coupling the pressure testing/refrigerant charging apparatus to the refrigerant system using the quick coupling device;
- operating the shutoff valve to open the refrigerant can;
- opening the shutoff valve to allow refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant system;
- and
- closing the shutoff valve to assess the pressure of the refrigerant system after allowing at least some refrigerant to enter the refrigerant system.
A combination pressure measurement/refrigerant charging apparatus, comprising:
- a shutoff valve comprising a piercing pin and a pressure gauge, wherein the piercing pin is configured to pierce a refrigerant can during use, and wherein the pressure gauge is configured as a handle for operating the shutoff valve;
- a hose coupled to the shutoff valve at a first end of the hose;
- and
- a quick coupling device coupled to a second end of the hose, wherein the quick coupling device is configured to be coupled to a refrigerant system;
- and
- wherein the shutoff valve is configured to allow fluid to flow from the refrigerant can to the refrigerant system when the shutoff valve is open.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.