Apparatus for detecting leaks in a pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system

A canister for charging a closed, pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system with a fluid, comprising:

• a) a closed, non-pressurized cylindrical canister,
• wherein said canister has two ends, a first open end which connects to the system being charged and a second open end, and
• wherein said first open end comprises a nozzle;
• b) a predetermined amount of said fluid,
• wherein said fluid is selected from the group consisting of a lubricant, a fluid dye for said air conditioning or refrigeration systems, and combinations thereof, and
• wherein said fluid is maintained in said canister at about ambient pressure;
• and
• c) a piston sealably disposed with said second open end of said canister,
• wherein said canister is adapted to sealably and releasably connect to said pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system via fluidly coupling means to form a closed binary system,
• wherein said fluidly coupling means is a connector assembly having a first end connected to said nozzle of said canister and a second end connected to a service valve of the pressurized system,
• wherein said connector assembly comprises:
• i) a flexible conduit,
• ii) a thread on a first end of said flexible conduit, to engage with said nozzle of said canister, and
• iii) a release valve on a second end of said flexible conduit, to engage with the service valve of the pressurized system, and
• wherein said connector assembly further comprises a valve at one end of said flexible conduit, which prevents any material from back flushing into and contaminating said fluid in said canister.