Patent US3974659A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3974659A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oil sampling and charging method and apparatus for refrigeration systems
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1975-04-16
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Granted: 1976-08-17
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Expires: 1995-04-16
Abstract
Abstract The specification and drawings disclose a method and apparatus for taking a sample of oil from the refrigerant fluid circulating in a refrigeration unit of the type including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator. A pressure chamber is provided which may be conveniently connected to cause the hot vapor gas coming from either the compressor or condenser and pass through the chamber. As the hot vapor gas enters the chamber it is impinged against a baffle causing the oil within the vapor gas to collect as droplets and flow to the bottom of the chamber. The oil free refrigerant vapor gas is thereafter extracted from the chamber and returned to the refrigeration unit at a point on the low pressure side of either the compressor or condenser. The extraction from the chamber takes place at a point below the level at which the vapor gas is supplied to the chamber and at the opposite side of the baffle. The collected oil level within the chamber is regulated by the level of extraction. When sufficient oil is recovered for test purposes the chamber is disconnected from the refrigeration unit and oil removed from the chamber. The same general method and apparatus can be used for charging predetermined quantities of oil into a refrigeration system.
Inventors
- 👤 Murel C. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:24
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B43/00; F25B43/02; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
Portable apparatus for taking an oil sample from the refrigerant flowing in a closed cycle refrigeration system comprising: a portable container forming a closed pressure chamber; a baffle member positioned within said chamber; a first fluid line providing communication from the exterior to the interior of said chamber, said first fluid line including a first valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough and a first discharge opening adjacent to the upper end of said chamber and directed toward said baffle; a second fluid line providing communication between the exterior and interior of said chamber, said second line including a check valve for preventing flow through said second line into said chamber while permitting flow out of said chamber, and a second valve in said second line for selectively preventing flow in either direction, said second line opening to the interior of said chamber substantially below said first line a predetermined distance above the bottom of said chamber on the side of said baffle opposite said first fluid line; gauge means for providing an indication of the pressure within said chamber; gauge glass means for providing an indication of the liquid level within said chamber; and, a third fluid line opening to the bottom of said chamber below said first and second lines, said third line including a third valve means for controlling flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
Portable apparatus for taking an oil sample from the refrigerant flowing in a closed cycle refrigeration system comprising: a portable container forming a closed pressure chamber; a baffle member positioned within said chamber; a first fluid line providing communication from the exterior to the interior of said chamber, said first fluid line including a first valve for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough and a first discharge opening adjacent to the upper end of said chamber and directed toward said baffle; a second fluid line providing communication between the exterior and interior of said chamber, said second line including a check valve for preventing flow through said second line into said chamber while permitting flow out of said chamber, and a second valve in said second line for selectively preventing flow in either direction, said second line opening to the interior of said chamber substantially below said first line a predetermined distance above the bottom of said chamber on the side of said baffle opposite said first fluid line; gauge means for providing an indication of the pressure within said chamber; gauge glass means for providing an indication of the liquid level within said chamber; and, a third fluid line opening to the bottom of said chamber below said first and second lines, said third line including a third valve means for controlling flow of fluid therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including an access opening at the upper end of said chamber whereby fluid can be selectively placed in said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a screen extending transversely between said baffle and said first discharge opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a housing enclosing said pressure container, said first, second and third lines extending out of said housing and terminating in fittings for connecting said apparatus to a refrigeration unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said valve means are manually operable from the exterior of said housing.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of taking an oil sample from the refrigerant flowing in a refrigeration unit of the type including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, comprising the steps of: providing a closed chamber capable of withstanding the discharge pressure from said compressor, said chamber having a baffle member therein; conducting oil laden refrigerant fluid from said unit and supplying it to the upper end of said chamber and impinging it against said baffle to cause the oil to separate from said refrigerant fluid; collecting said oil in the bottom of said chamber; extracting the refrigerant fluid from said chamber at a point below the point at which it is impinged against said baffle and on the opposite side of said baffle, and conducting the refrigerant fluid to said refrigeration unit and introducing it back into said unit at a point therein where there is a pressure differential with the point at which said refrigerant fluid was conducted from said unit to said chamber; and, continuing the above steps until the quantity of oil within said chamber reached a predetermined level.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of taking an oil sample from the refrigerant flowing in a refrigeration unit of the type including a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator, comprising the steps of: providing a closed chamber capable of withstanding the discharge pressure from said compressor, said chamber having a baffle member therein; conducting oil laden refrigerant fluid from said unit and supplying it to the upper end of said chamber and impinging it against said baffle to cause the oil to separate from said refrigerant fluid; collecting said oil in the bottom of said chamber; extracting the refrigerant fluid from said chamber at a point below the point at which it is impinged against said baffle and on the opposite side of said baffle, and conducting the refrigerant fluid to said refrigeration unit and introducing it back into said unit at a point therein where there is a pressure differential with the point at which said refrigerant fluid was conducted from said unit to said chamber; and, continuing the above steps until the quantity of oil within said chamber reached a predetermined level.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of conducting oil laden refrigerant to said chamber is continued until the level of oil in said chamber reaches the level of the point at which the refrigerant fluid is extracted from said chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as defined in claim 6 wherein the step of conducting oil laden refrigerant from said unit comprises the step of conducting from a high pressure side of said unit and the step of conducting said refrigerant fluid to said unit comprises the step of conducting to a low pressure side of said unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the step of conducting oil laden refrigerant fluid from said unit comprises the step of conducting said refrigerant fluid from a point between said compressor and condenser and said step of conducting said refrigerant fluid to said unit comprises the step of conducting said refrigerant fluid to a point between said evaporator and compressor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method as defined in claim 8 wherein the step of conducting oil laden refrigerant fluid from said unit comprises the step of conducting said refrigerant fluid from a point between said condenser and evaporator and said step of conducting said refrigerant fluid to said unit comprises the step of conducting said refrigerant fluid to a point between said compressor and condenser.
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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) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |