US 7,124,598 B2 · Pressure testing and refrigerant recharging conduit assembly for automobiles

Abstract

A combination pressure measurement/charging system may include a conduit coupled to a refrigerant can. The conduit may be coupled to a low-pressure side of a refrigerant system. The system may include a valve to control a flow of fluid through the conduit. Thus, a flow of fluid between the refrigerant can and the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system may be controlled using the valve. A first pressure gauge may be in fluid communication with the conduit. The first pressure gauge may be coupled to the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system. The first pressure gauge may be used to operate the valve to control fluid flow through the conduit. A second pressure gauge may be coupled to a high-pressure side of the refrigerant system. The second pressure gauge may be isolated from fluids that flow through the conduit.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A combination pressure measurement/charging system, comprising:

a conduit configured to be coupled to a refrigerant can and to a low-pressure side of a refrigerant system;
a valve configured to control a flow of fluid through the conduit and, thus, between the refrigerant can and the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system, wherein the valve is further configured to allow a pressure of the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system to be assessed when the valve is closed;
a first pressure gauge in fluid communication with the conduit and configured to be coupled to the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system, wherein the first pressure gauge is configured to operate the valve to control fluid flow through the conduit;
and
a second pressure gauge, wherein the second pressure gauge is configured to be coupled to a high-pressure side of the refrigerant system, and wherein the second pressure gauge is isolated from fluids that flow through the conduit.

2 more elements

A method for pressure testing/refrigerant charging a refrigerant system, comprising:

coupling a pressure testing/refrigerant charging assembly to a refrigerant system, wherein the assembly comprises:
a conduit coupled to a low-pressure side of the refrigerant system, wherein the conduit is configured to be coupled to a refrigerant can;
a valve to control a flow of fluid through conduit and, thus, between the refrigerant can and the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system;
a first pressure gauge in fluid communication with the conduit and coupled to the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system, wherein the first pressure gauge operates the valve to control fluid flow through the conduit;
and
a second pressure gauge, wherein the second pressure gauge is coupled to a high-pressure side of the refrigerant system, and wherein the second pressure gauge is isolated from fluids that flow through the conduit;
assessing a pressure of the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system using the first pressure gauge;
assessing a pressure of the high-pressure side of the refrigerant system using the second pressure gauge;
coupling a refrigerant can to the conduit if the refrigerant level in the refrigerant system is below a desired level;
opening the valve to allow refrigerant to flow into the low-pressure side of the refrigerant system from the refrigerant can;
and
closing the valve to assess the low-pressure side pressure of the refrigerant system after allowing at least some refrigerant to enter the refrigerant system.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pressure testing and refrigerant recharging conduit assembly for automobiles

Life of this patent

Pressure testing and refrigerant recharging conduit assembly for automobiles

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35