Patent US3903709A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3903709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Refrigerant charging apparatus
Assignee: HEIL-QUAKER HOME SYSTEMS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1974-10-15
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Granted: 1975-09-09
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Expires: 1994-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant charging apparatus for charging an operating refrigeration system. The apparatus includes an expansion chamber connected between a thermal expansion valve and the suction line of the refrigeration system. The expansion chamber and a temperature sensing bulb associated with the thermal expansion valve are disposed in heat transfer relationship with the suction line and each other. The charging apparatus is utilized to provide small quantities of refrigerant from a pressurized supply seriatim into the refrigeration system with each charge being effectively assimilated into the system prior to the delivery of the next charge. The sequential charging and assimilation continues automatically until the system is properly charged and the apparatus has automatically ceased injection of refrigerant into the system. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed to assure a complete charge based on the system size, the charging apparatus is removed from the system. In an improved form, the charging apparatus defines an expansion chamber reservoir with a duct for bypassing a portion of the refrigerant around the expansion chamber to the refrigeration system suction line, thereby to provide internal metering for passing the refrigerant more directly from the supply to the refrigeration system. In a further improved form, the charging apparatus includes structure for indicating the temperature of the charging apparatus to provide a visual indication selectively of an undercharged and overcharged condition of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M Anderson
- 👤 James M Sykes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:44
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In a refrigerant charging apparatus having a thermal expansion valve provided with a temperature sensing bulb, and a source of liquid refrigerant for charging an operating refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion device connecting the evaporator with the condenser, and a suction line connecting the evaporator to the compressor and including a charging port, the improvement comprising means defining an expansion chamber connected between said thermal expansion valve and said suction line charging port, said expansion chamber and said temperature sensing bulb being disposed in mass heat transfer relation with said suction line to cause said temperature sensing bulb to respond to the temperature of both said expansion chamber and said suction line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a refrigerant charging apparatus having a thermal expansion valve provided with a temperature sensing bulb, and a source of liquid refrigerant for charging an operating refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion device connecting the evaporator with the condenser, and a suction line connecting the evaporator to the compressor and including a charging port, the improvement comprising means defining an expansion chamber connected between said thermal expansion valve and said suction line charging port, said expansion chamber and said temperature sensing bulb being disposed in mass heat transfer relation with said suction line to cause said temperature sensing bulb to respond to the temperature of both said expansion chamber and said suction line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing bulb is in direct heat transfer relation with said expansion chamber means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing bulb, said expansion chamber means, and said suction line comprise tubular wall elements disposed in axially parallel contacting association.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temperature sensing bulb, said expansion chamber means, and said suction line comprise tubular wall elements, and said improvement further includes a clamp embracing said wall elements to retain them forcibly in said contacting association.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 wherein mounting means are provided mounting the expansion chamber means and sensing bulb to said suction line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 wherein said expansion valve is spaced substantially from said suction line.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
200 words
A flow control device for delivering refrigerant fluid in increments from a pressurized liqiud supply into the suction line of an operating refrigeration system, comprising: a valve; wall means defining an expansion chamber; means for connecting said valve and chamber means in series between said liquid supply and said suction line; and valve control means for controlling operation of the valve as a function of the temperature of both said expansion chamber means and the suction line whereby said valve is opened as a result of said expansion chamber means and said suction line being at a temperature above a first predetermined temperature to pass a small quantity of refrigerant liquid from the supply to said expansion chamber for vaporizAtion therein, is closed by the resultant cooling of the expansion chamber means to a temperature below a second predetermined temperature, and is reopened to pass a subsequent small quantity of refrigerant liquid from the supply to said expansion chamber after the previous quantity is assimilated into the refrigeration system and said chamber and said suction line temperature has exceeded said first predetermined temperature, such opening and closing of said valve being automatically repeated until said refrigeration system is fully charged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
200 words
A flow control device for delivering refrigerant fluid in increments from a pressurized liqiud supply into the suction line of an operating refrigeration system, comprising: a valve; wall means defining an expansion chamber; means for connecting said valve and chamber means in series between said liquid supply and said suction line; and valve control means for controlling operation of the valve as a function of the temperature of both said expansion chamber means and the suction line whereby said valve is opened as a result of said expansion chamber means and said suction line being at a temperature above a first predetermined temperature to pass a small quantity of refrigerant liquid from the supply to said expansion chamber for vaporizAtion therein, is closed by the resultant cooling of the expansion chamber means to a temperature below a second predetermined temperature, and is reopened to pass a subsequent small quantity of refrigerant liquid from the supply to said expansion chamber after the previous quantity is assimilated into the refrigeration system and said chamber and said suction line temperature has exceeded said first predetermined temperature, such opening and closing of said valve being automatically repeated until said refrigeration system is fully charged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The flow control device of claim 7 wherein said valve control means comprises a temperature responsive sensing element in heat transfer associaton with each of said expansion chamber means and the suction line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flow control device of claim 7 wherein said valve is provided with manually adjustable means for causing operation thereof at different selected temperatures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flow control device of claim 7 wherein said valve control means includes a temperature sensing element clamped to said suction line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flow control device of claim 7 wherein said valve control means includes a temperature sensing element clamped to said expansion chamber means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flow control device of claim 7 wherein said valve control means includes a temperature sensing element clamped to said suction line and said expansion chamber means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system comprising: disposing an expansion chamber and a temperature sensing element in heat transfer association with each other and the suction line of said refrigeration system; causing addition of refrigerant from a supply to said system through said chamber in response to sensing a temperature above a first predetermined temperature; terminating addition of refrigerant in response to cooling said sensing element to below a second predetermined temperature as said added refrigerant expands in said chamber; causing additional refrigerant to be added to the system in repsonse to said sensing element again sensing a temperature above said first predetermined temperature; and repeating said additions of refrigerant to said system.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
118 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system comprising: disposing an expansion chamber and a temperature sensing element in heat transfer association with each other and the suction line of said refrigeration system; causing addition of refrigerant from a supply to said system through said chamber in response to sensing a temperature above a first predetermined temperature; terminating addition of refrigerant in response to cooling said sensing element to below a second predetermined temperature as said added refrigerant expands in said chamber; causing additional refrigerant to be added to the system in repsonse to said sensing element again sensing a temperature above said first predetermined temperature; and repeating said additions of refrigerant to said system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein the additions of refrigerant to said system are repeated until a predetermined period of time elapses.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein the refrigerant is supplied to said expansion chamber as a liquid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein the additions of refrigerant to said system are repeated until a predetermined period of time elapses without said sensing element sensing a temperature above said first predetermined temperature following a termination of an addition and then preventing further delivery of refrigerant from said supply.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 further including means for bypassing a portion of the refrigerant from said valve past said expansion chamber to said suction line.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 further including means for bypassing a portion of the refrigerant from said valve past said expansion chamber and supplying said refrigerant in the vapor state to said suction line charging port.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 further provided with means for visually indicating information relative to said sensed temperature.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The refirgerant charging apparatus of claim 1 further provided with means for visually indicating information relative to said sensed temperature including means for indicating a drop in said temperture to below approximately 36*F.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 1 further provided with means for visually indicating information relative to said sensed temperature including means for indicating a rise in said temperature above approximately 76*F.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 7 further including means for bypassing a portion of the refrigerant from said valve past said expansion chamber to said suction line.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 7 further provided with means for visually indicating information relative to said temperature of said expansion chamber means and said suction line.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 7 further provided with means for visually indicating information relative to said temperature of said expansion chamber means and said suction line including means for indicating a drop in said temperature to below approximately 36*F.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The refrigerant charging apparatus of claim 7 further provided with means for visibly indicating information relative to said temperature of said expansion chamber means and said suction line including means for indicating a rise in said temperature above approximately 76*F.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein a portion of the refrigerant being added to the system is bypassed from said supply past said chamber to said suction line.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein a portion of the refrigerant being added to the system is bypassed from said supply past said chamber to said suction line concurrently with the addition of said refrigerant through said chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of adding refrigerant to an operating undercharged refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein said refrigerant is delivered from said supply as a liquid and a portion of the refrigerant is added to the system in the vapor state through conduit means bypassing the expansion chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
131 words
A mass heat transfer charging apparatus for providing refrigerant fluid from a liquid supply to a suction portion of a refrigration apparatus, said apparatus comprising: wall means formed of thermally conductive material defining an expansion chamber; an inlet duct extending into said chamber and having first and second outlet ports, said first port opening to said expansion chamber; an outlet duct having an inner end in fluid conductive association with said second port for conducting fluid delivered from said inlet duct through said second port to said suction portion; and a transfer duct having an inner portion connecting with said expansion chamber, and an outer portion communicating with said oulet duct for tranferring to said outlet duct fluid delivered from said inlet duct through said first port to said expansion chamber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
131 words
A mass heat transfer charging apparatus for providing refrigerant fluid from a liquid supply to a suction portion of a refrigration apparatus, said apparatus comprising: wall means formed of thermally conductive material defining an expansion chamber; an inlet duct extending into said chamber and having first and second outlet ports, said first port opening to said expansion chamber; an outlet duct having an inner end in fluid conductive association with said second port for conducting fluid delivered from said inlet duct through said second port to said suction portion; and a transfer duct having an inner portion connecting with said expansion chamber, and an outer portion communicating with said oulet duct for tranferring to said outlet duct fluid delivered from said inlet duct through said first port to said expansion chamber.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said inlet duct extends fully across said expansion chamber.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said inlet duct extends fully across said expansion chamber and said second port is disposed outwardly of said wall means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said inlet duct defines a constricted end and said second port is provided in said constricted end.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said transfer duct outer portion defines an end of the transfer duct in said outlet duct in the direction of fluid flow therethrough.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said second port has a cross-section area approximately one-third that of the first port.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said second port has a cross-section area approximately one-fourth that of said transfer duct.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mass heat transfer charging apparatus of claim 29 wherein said wall means defines a tubular element, and said inlet duct extends coaxially therethrough.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
69 words
Visual indication means for indicating the temperature of a refrigerant Charging apparatus wall means, said indication means comprising a plurality of temperature sensitive crystal elements in heat transfer association with said wall means, one of said crystal elements defining means for indicating a temperature change at a near-freezing temperature and another of said crystal elements defining means for indicating a temperature change at a temperature substantially above freezing temperature.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
69 words
Visual indication means for indicating the temperature of a refrigerant Charging apparatus wall means, said indication means comprising a plurality of temperature sensitive crystal elements in heat transfer association with said wall means, one of said crystal elements defining means for indicating a temperature change at a near-freezing temperature and another of said crystal elements defining means for indicating a temperature change at a temperature substantially above freezing temperature.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The refrigerant charging system temperature indication means of claim 37 wherein said near-freezing temperature is approximately 37*F.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The refrigerant charging system temperature indication means of claim 37 wherein said substantially above-freezing temperature is approximately 76*F.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
46 words
The refrigerant charging system temperature indication means of claim 37 wherein said crystal elements comprise elements having the same color when the temperture of said wall means is above said near-freezing temperature, and wherein one of said elements changes color at temperatures below said near-freezing temperature.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
48 words
The refrigerant charging system temperature indication means of claim 37 wherein said crystal elements comprise elements having the same color when the temperature of said wall means is below said substantially above-freezing temperature; and wherein one of said elements changes color at temperatures above said substantially above-freezing temperature.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The refrigerant charging system temperature indication means of claim 37 wherein said crystal elements are provided with indicia means for indicating selectively an undercharged condition and an overcharged condition of the system being charged corresponding to the temperature of said wall means.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
The refrigerant charging system temperature indication means of claim 37 wherein said wall comprises a clamp element and said crystal elements are carried by said clamp element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |