Method of installing and renewing an inlet port plate filter in the low pressure side of an automotive air conditioning system

A method of filtering entrained debris from the refrigerant of an automotive air conditioning system, said system comprising a compressor, said compressor comprising at least one compressor inlet suction port, said suction port connected to a suction hose assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a filter plate comprising:
• a main body defining a first passage, a first side, and a second side, the first passage adapted to allow a refrigerant flow between the first and the second side;
• and
• a filter positioned across the first passage;
• (b) disconnecting the suction hose assembly from the compressor inlet suction port;
• (c) connecting the first side of the filter plate to the compressor inlet suction port such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the compressor suction port;
• and
• (d) connecting the second side of the filter plate to the suction hose assembly such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly, wherein the compressor suction port is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly through the first passage and the filter positioned across the first passage.

A method of renewing a filter in an automotive air conditioning system, said system comprising:

• a compressor having a compressor inlet suction port
• a suction hose assembly;
• and
• a filter plate comprising:
• a main body defining a first passage, a first side, and a second side, the first passage adapted to allow a refrigerant flow between the first and the second side;
• and
• a filter positioned across the first passage;
• wherein the at least one compressor inlet suction port is connected to the first side of the filter plate such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the compressor suction port, and
• wherein the suction hose assembly is connected to the second side of the filter plate, such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly,
• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) disconnecting the suction hose assembly from the second side of the filter plate;
• (b) disconnecting the compressor suction port assembly from the first side of the filter plate;
• (c) removing the filter plate;
• (d) renewing the filter of the filter plate
• (e) connecting the first side of the filter plate to the compressor inlet suction port such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the compressor suction port;
• (f) connecting the second side of the filter plate to the suction hose assembly such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly,
• wherein the compressor suction port is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly through the first passage and the filter positioned across the first passage.

A method of filtering entrained debris from the refrigerant of an automotive air conditioning system, said system comprising a compressor, said compressor comprising a compressor inlet suction port, said suction port connected to a suction hose assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an inlet port filter plate, the filter plate comprising:
• a main body comprising:
• a first side, said first side comprising a first connection opening, said first connection opening adapted to receive a compressor inlet port connector for attachment of the filter plate to a compressor inlet port, said compressor inlet port connector having a compressor inlet port connector internal diameter;
• a second side, the second side comprising a second connection opening, said second connection opening adapted to receive a suction hose assembly connector for attachment of the filter plate to the suction hose assembly, said suction hose assembly connector having an suction hose assembly connector internal diameter;
• a first passage, said first passage adapted to allow a refrigerant flow between said second connection opening and said first connection opening, said first passage comprising a filter receiving section and a outflow section, said filter receiving section having at least one filter receiving section diameter and said outflow section having a outflow section diameter, wherein each said at least one receiving section diameter is greater than said outlet flow section diameter, and wherein said filter receiving section further comprises a filter receiving area for receiving a filter;
• and
• a filter, said filter comprising a mesh portion and an engagement portion, said engagement portion receiving and retaining said mesh portion, said engagement portion defining a filter outer diameter and said mesh portion defining a filter inner diameter, said filter positioned across said filter receiving section of said first passage, and said engagement portion received and retained within said filter receiving area,
• wherein, said outlet flow section diameter is at least as great as said compressor inlet port connector internal diameter,
• wherein, said filter outer diameter is greater than said outlet flow section diameter,
• wherein said filter outer diameter is greater than said suction hose assembly connector internal diameter, and
• wherein, said filter inner diameter is maximized such that refrigerant flow restriction caused by said filter is minimized;
• (b) disconnecting the suction hose assembly from the compressor inlet suction port;
• (c) connecting the first side of the filter plate to the compressor inlet suction port such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the compressor suction port;
• (d) connecting the second side of the filter plate to the suction hose assembly such that the first passage is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly, wherein the compressor suction port is in fluid communication with the suction hose assembly through the first passage and the filter positioned across the first passage;
• and
• (e) flowing refrigerant through the first passage and the filter.