Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR CHARGING
A PRESSURIZED SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention relates generally to the field of pressurized fluid
system
and more specifically it relates to an apparatus for charging a pressurized
system.. The
purpose of the charging apparatus is to provide the technician with a simple
method of
injecting a predetermined amount of lubricant into a pressurized system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Numerous pressurized fluid systems have been provided in prior art that are
adapted to operate optimally within a certain pressure range. If the internal
pressure
falls below this range, the system needs to be recharged with an appropriate
lubricant.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they
address, they
would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as
heretofore
described.
There does not presently exist a cost effective way to accomplish the task of
inserting a predetermined amount of lubricant into a pressurized system. Added
to this
is the fact that when a technician arrives on site they are faced with a
myriad number of
systems with service connection access ranging from the accessible to the
acrobatic and
often cramped working conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for charging a
pressurized system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art
devices.
It is desirable to provide an apparatus and method for charging a pressurized
system that will allow a technician to inject a predetermined amount of
lubricant into
the pressurized system.
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
2
It is also desirable to provide an apparatus for charging a pressurized system
which can be readily carried to a site, be easily operated, and can deliver a
measured
amount of lubricant into the pressurized system.
It is further desirable to provide an apparatus for charging a pressurized
system
that is simple and easy to use.
It is further desirable to provide an apparatus for charging a pressurized
system
that is economical in cost to manufacture.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an injection device
with a receptacle portion for receiving a disposable or reusable lubricant
canister and a
connector assembly for attaching the lubricant canister to the pressurized
system. It is a
further aim of the present invention not to limit the mechanical means of
lubricant
delivery just to hand pressure, but to provide other embodiments using various
t3rpes of
hand tools and structures to accomplish the delivery of the lubricant to the
pressurized
system.
Further features of the invention will become clear as the description
proceeds.
Accordingly, in an aspect of the present invention there is provided an
apparatus
for charging a pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system with a
secondary
fluid, comprising: a) a canister containing a secondary fluid, wherein the
secondary
fluid comprises a fluid dye and wherein the canister includes: i) a tubular
casing for
holding the secondary fluid therein, ii) a nozzle integral with and extending
out from a
first end of the tubular casing to engage with one end of a fluidly coupling
means, and
iii) a piston inserted within an open second end of the tubular casing to
engage with a
secondary fluid forcing means; b) means for fluidly coupling the canister to
the
pressurized system, wherein the fluidly coupling means is a connector assembly
having
a first end connected to the nozzle of the canister and a second end connected
to a
service valve of the pressurized system, wherein the connector assembly
includes: i) a
flexible conduit, ii) a connector on a first end of the flexible conduit, to
engage with the
nozzle of the canister, and iii) a release valve on a second end of the
flexible conduit, to
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
engage with the service valve of the pressurized system, and c) means for
forcing the
secondary fluid out of the canister, through the fluidly coupling means and
into a
service valve of the pressurized system.
In another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for
charging a pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system with a
secondary iEluid,
comprising: a) a canister containing a secondary fluid, wherein the secondary
fluid
comprises a fluid dye, wherein the canister includes a tubular casing for
holding the
secondary fluid therein, a nozzle integral with and extending out from a first
end of the
tubular casing and a piston inserted within an open second end of the tubular
casing; b)
means for fluidly coupling the canister to the pressurized system by
engagement of one
end of the fluidly coupling means to the nozzle, wherein the fluidly coupling
means is a
connector assembly having a first end connected to the nozzle of the canister
and a
second end connected to a service valve of the pressurized system, wherein the
connector assembly includes: i) a flexible conduit, ii) a thread on a first
end of the
flexible conduit, to engage with the nozzle of the canister, and iii) a
release valve on a
second end of the flexible conduit, to engage with the service valve of the
pressurized
system, wherein the connector assembly further includes a valve at one end of
the
flexible conduit, which prevents any material from back flushing into and
contaminating the secondary fluid in the canister, and wherein the release
valve
includes a closeable valve, which prevents any material from back flushing
into the
flexible conduit from the service valve of the pressurized system, and to
allow the
release valve to disconnect from the service valve of the pressurized system,
to prevent
leakage of the secondary fluid therefrom; and c) means for forcing secondary
fluid out
of the canister, through the fluidly coupling means and into a service valve
of the
pressurized system.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a canister for
charging a closed, pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system with a
fluid,
comprising: a) a closed, non-pressurized cylindrical canister, wherein the
canister has
two ends, a first open end which connects to the system being charged and a
second
open end, and wherein the first open end comprises a nozzle; b) a
predetermined
amount of the fluid, wherein the fluid comprises a lubricant and a fluid dye
for the air
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
4
conditioning or refrigeration systems, and wherein the fluid is maintained in
the
canister at about ambient pressure; and c) a piston sealably disposed with the
second
open end of the canister, wherein the canister is adapted to sealably and
releasably
connect to the pressurized air conditioning or refrigeration system via
fluidly coupling
means to form a closed binary system, wherein the fluidly coupling means is a
connector assembly having a first end connected to the nozzle of the canister
and a
second end connected to a service valve of the pressurized system, wherein the
connector assembly comprises: i) a flexible conduit, ii) a thread on a first
end of the
flexible conduit, to engage with the nozzle of the canister, and iii) a
release valve on a
second end of the flexible conduit, to engage with the service valve of the
pressurized
system, and wherein the connector assembly further comprises a valve at one
end of the
flexible conduit, which prevents any material from back flushing into and
contaminating the fluid in the canister.
In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus
for
charging a pressurized system comprising: a) a lubricant canister; b) means
for fluidly
coupling the lubricant canister to the pressurized system; and c) means for
forcing
lubricant out of the lubricant canister, through the fluidly coupling means
and into a
service valve of the pressurized system; wherein the lubricant canister
includes; i) a
tubular casing for holding the lubricant therein; ii) a threaded nozzle
integral with and
extending out from a first end of the tubular casing to engage with one end of
the
fluidly couple means; and iii) a recessed double 0-ring piston inserted within
an open
second end of the tubular casing to engage with the lubricant forcing means;
wherein
the lubricant forcing means is an injection device, the injection device
including: i) a
housing having a receptacle portion to receive the lubricant canister therein;
and ii) a
drive mechanism to force the recessed double 0-ring piston into the tubular
casing, to
cause the lubricant to exit the threaded nozzle through the fluidly coupling
means, past
the service valve and into the pressurized system; wherein the drive mechanism
includes; i) a hand grip integral with and extending downwardly on the
housing; ii) a
trigger pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the hand grip; iii) a
central drive shaft
extending longitudinally through the housing and transversely past a pivotal
portion of
the trigger; iv) a cylindrical head on an inner end of the central drive
shaft, to engage
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
4a
with the recessed double 0-ring piston of the lubricant canister; v) a first
pawl spring
biased on the central drive shaft forward the pivotal portion of the trigger;
and vi ) a
second pawl spring biased on the central drive shaft rearward the pivotal
portion of the
trigger, the second pawl having a tongue extending out through a rear wall of
the
housing above the hand grip, so that when the trigger is squeezed the first
pawl will
move into contact with the central drive shaft, to push the central drive
shaft for~rard
with the cylindrical head making contact with the recessed double 0-ring
piston, while
the second pawl prevents reverse movement of the central drive shaft, until
the tongue
is lifted up to disengage the second pawl, allowing the central drive shaft to
be pulled
back to a desired position.
There is also disclosed an apparatus for charging a pressurized system
comprising:
a) a lubricant canister;
b) means for fluidly coupling said lubricant canister to the pressurized
system; and
c) means for forcing lubricant out of said lubricant canister, through said
fluidly
coupling means and into a service valve of the pressurized system.
There is further disclosed a method of charging a closed, pressurizable fluid
system with an appropriate fluid, comprising the steps:
a) sealably and releasably connecting to said system a closed, unpressurized
container containing a predetermined amount of said fluid, said system and
said
container combining to form a closed binary system;
b) mechanically forcing said fluid out of said container into said fluid
system; and
c) disconnecting said container from said system.
Aspects of this invention may be embodied in the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact,
however,
that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the
specific
construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended
claims.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
4b
Various other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will
become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when
considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like
reference
characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views,
and
wherein;
Fig. l is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig.2 is an enlarged side view of the injection device shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an enlarged side of the lubricant canister in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a side view of the connector assembly in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 is a top view taken in the direction of an ow 7 in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow 8 in Fig. 6;
Fig. 9 is a side view of a second embodiment of the connector assembly;
Fig, 10 is an end view taken in the direction of arrow 10 in Fig. 9;
Fig. I 1 is a top view taken in the direction of arrow 11 in Fig. 9;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the injection device;
Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view of an area in Fig. 13 as indicated
by arrow
14;
Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 13, showing a single pawl
mechanism to
propel the toothed central shaft in the injection device;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the injection device;
Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line 17-17 in Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 16, showing a socket wrench to
turn the
operating screw in the injection device;
Fig. 19 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 18, showing a transverse handle
to turn the
operating screw in the injection device;
Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the injection
device,
whereby compressed gas is introduced within a chamber to drive the piston
forward in
the lubricant canister.
CA 02224024 2005-11-24
4c
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference
characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, Fig. 1
illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention being an apparatus 22 for
charging a
pressurized system 24. With regard to the reference numerals used, the
following
numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
22 charging apparatus
24 pressurized system
26 lubricant canister of 22
28 fluidly coupling facility
of 22
30 lubricant forcing assemblage
of 22
32 lubricant of 26
34 service valve of 24
36 tubular casing of 26
38 threaded nozzle of 26 on
36
40 recessed double 0-ring piston
of 26 in 36
42 transparent material for
36
44 gradient marking on 36
46 threaded cap of 26 on 38
47 connector assembly for 28
48 flexible conduit of 47
50 threaded fitting of 47 on
48
CA 02224024 1997-12-08
52 release valve of 47 on 48
54 one-way check valve of 47
56 closeable control knob of 52
58 snap lock fitting of 52
60 threaded fitting of 52
62 injection device for 30
64 housing of 62
66 receptacle portion of 64
68 drive mechanism of 30
70 hand grip of 68
72 trigger of 68
74 central drive shaft of 68
76 cylindrical head of 68 on 74
78 first pawl of 64
80 spring of 78
82 second pawl of 64
84 spring of 82
86 tongue of 82
88 teeth on 74
90 first pawl pivotally mounted between
72 and 64
92 second pawl on 64
94 stationary nut of 68
96 elongated threaded rod of 68
98 rotating structure of 68 on 96
100 bolt head for 98
102 open end wrench
104 socket head for 98
106 ratchet socket wrench
108 handle rod for 98
110 rear chamber of 68 in 64
112 inlet port of 110
CA 02224024 1997-12-08
6
114 transverse drive plate of 68
The apparatus 22 for charging the pressurized system 24 comprises a lubricant
canister 26. A facility 28 is for fluidly coupling the lubricant canister 26
to the
pressurized system 24. As assemblage 30 is for forcing lubricant 32 out of the
lubricant
canister 26, through the fluidly coupling facility 28 and into a service valve
34 of the
pressurized system 24.
The lubricant canister 26, as shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 20
includes
a tubular casing 36 for holding the lubricant 32 therein. A threaded nozzle 38
is integral
with and extends out from a first end of the tubular casing 36, to engage with
one end of
the fluidly coupling facility 28. A recessed double 0-ring piston 40 is
inserted within an
open second end of the tubular casing 36, to engage with the lubricant forcing
assemblage
30.
The tubular casing 36 can be fabricated out of transparent material 42 and can
include a plurality of gradient markings 44, to aid in accurately dispensing a
1 S predetermined amount of the lubricant 32 therefrom. The lubricant canister
26 further
includes a threaded cap 46, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, to engage with the
threaded nozzle
38 when the lubricant canister 26 is not in use, so as to prevent leakage of
the lubricant 32
through the threaded nozzle 38.
The fluidly coupling facility 28, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 through 11, is a
connector assembly 47 having a first end connected to the threaded nozzle 38
of the
lubricant canister 26 and a second end connected to the service valve 34 of
the
pressurized system 24. The connector assembly 47 consists of a flexible
conduit 48. A
threaded fitting 50 is on the first end of the flexible conduit 48, to engage
with the
threaded nozzle 38 of the lubricant canister 26. A release valve 52 is on the
second end
of the flexible conduit 48, to engage with the service valve 34 of the
pressurized system
24.
The connector assembly 47 further includes a one-way check valve 54 between
the threaded fitting 50 and the first end of the flexible conduit 48, which
prevents any
material from back flushing into and contaminating the lubricant 32 in the
lubricant
canister 26. The release valve 52 contains a closeable control knob 56, which
prevents
any material from back flushing into the flexible conduit 48 from the service
valve 34 of
CA 02224024 1997-12-08
7
the pressurized system 24, and allows the release valve 52 to disconnect from
the service
valve 34 of the pressurized system 24, to prevent leakage of the lubricant 32
therefrom.
The release valve 52 in Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8, includes a snap lock fitting 58
to
engage with the service valve 34 of the pressurized system 24. The release
valve 52 in
Figs. 9, 10 and 11, includes a threaded fitting 60, to engage with the service
valve 34 of
the pressurized system 24.
The lubricant forcing assemblage 30, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 12 to 20, is
an
injection device 62. The injection device 62 contains a housing 64 having a
receptacle
portion 66, to receive the lubricant canister 26 therein. A drive mechanism 68
forces the
recessed double 0-ring piston 40 into the tubular casing 36, to cause the
lubricant 30 to
exit the threaded nozzle 38 through the fluidly coupling facility 28, past the
service valve
34 and into the pressurized system 24.
The drive mechanism 68 in Figs. 1 to 3, includes a hand grip 70 integral with
and
extending downwardly on the housing 64. A trigger 72 is pivotally mounted to
the
housing 64 adjacent the hand grip 70. A central drive shaft 74 extends
longitudinally
through the housing 64 and transversely past a pivotal portion of the trigger
72. A
cylindrical head 76 is on an inner end of the central drive shaft 74, to
engage with the
recessed double 0-ring piston 40 of the lubricant canister 26.
A first pawl 78 is spring biased at 80 on the central drive shaft 74 forward
the
pivotal portion of the trigger 72. A second pawl 82 is spring biased at 84 on
the central
drive shaft 74 rearward the pivotal portion of the trigger 72. The second pawl
82 has a
tongue 86 extending out through a rear wall of the housing 64 above the hand
grip 70.
When the trigger 72 is squeezed the first pawl 78 will move into contact with
the central
drive shaft 74, to push the central drive shaft 74 forward with the
cylindrical head 76
making contact with the recessed double 0-ring piston 40. The second pawl 82
prevents
reverse movement of the central drive shaft 74, until the tongue 86 is lifted
up to
disengage the second pawl 82, allowing the central drive shaft 74 to be pulled
back to a
desired position.
The drive mechanism 68 in Figs. 12 to 15, includes a hand grip 70 integral
with
and extending downwardly on the housing 64. A trigger 72 is pivotally mounted
to the
housing 64 adjacent the hand grip 70. A central drive shaft 74 extends
longitudinally
CA 02224024 1997-12-08
8
through the housing 64 and transversely above a pivotal portion of the trigger
72. 'The
central drive shaft 74 has a plurality of teeth 88 extending therealong. A
cylindrical head
76 is on an inner end of the central drive shaft 74, to engage with the
recessed double 0-
ring piston 40 of the lubricant canister 26.
A pawl 90 is pivotally mounted between the pivotal portion of the trigger 72
and
the housing 64. When the trigger 72 is squeezed, the pawl 90 will move into
contact with
the teeth 88 on the central drive shaft 74, to push the central drive shaft 74
forward with
the cylindrical head 76 making contact with the recessed double 0-ring piston
40. As best
seen in Figs. 13 and 14, the drive mechanism 68 can include a second pawl 92
spring
biased in the housing 64 to make contact with the teeth 88 on the central
drive shaft 74
forward the first pawl 90, to prevent reverse movement of the central drive
shaft 74.
The drive mechanism 68 in Figs. 16 to 19, includes a stationary nut 94 mounted
vertically within a rear wall of the housing 64. An elongated threaded rod 96
extends
longitudinally through the stationary nut 94. A cylindrical head 76 on an
inner end of the
elongated threaded rod 96 engages with the recessed double 0-ring piston 40 of
the
lubricant canister 26. A structure 98 on an outer end of the elongated
threaded rod 96 is
for rotating the elongated threaded rod 96 through the stationary nut 94 and
moves the
elongated threaded rod 96 with the cylindrical head 76 forward, to make
contact with the
recessed double 0-ring piston 40.
The rotating structure 98 in Figs. 16 and 17, is a bolt head 100, which can be
turned by an open end or box wrench 102. The rotating structure 98 in Fig. 18,
is a
socket head 104, which can be turned by a ratchet socket wrench 106. The
rotating
structure 98 in Fig. 19, is a handle rod 108 extending transversely through
the outer end
of the elongated threaded rod 96, which can be turned by a hand of a person.
The drive mechanism 68, shown in Fig. 20, includes a rear chamber 110 formed
within the housing 64 and has an inlet port 112 to allow compressed gas to
enter the rear
chamber 110. A central drive shaft 74 is carried longitudinally within the
tubular casing
36 of the lubricant canister 26. A cylindrical head 76 is on an inner end of
the central
drive shaft 74, to engage with the recessed double 0-ring piston 40. A
transverse drive
plate 114 is on an outer end of the central drive shaft 74 within the tubular
casing 36
adjacent the rear chamber 110. When the compressed gas is introduced through
the inlet
CA 02224024 1997-12-08
9
port 112 into the rear chamber 110, the transverse drive plate 114 will push
the central
drive shaft 74 forward with the cylindrical head 76, to make contact with the
recessed
double 0-ring piston 40.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or
more
together may also find a useful application in other types of methods
differing from the
type described above.
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described
are
pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the
details above,
since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications,
substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its
operation can be made
by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of
the present
invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the
present
invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for
various
applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly
constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of
this invention.
