Fluid-test apparatus

Claim 1

In a fluid-test apparatus such as for use in testing a refrigeration system having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, said apparatus having a body defining a manifold chamber, the improvement comprising: first connector means having a first manually operable valve for selectively providing a first fluid communication through said body to said manifold chamber; second connector means having a second manually operable valve for selectively providing a second fluid communication through said body to said manifold chamber; third connector means having a third manually operable valve for selectively providing a third fluid communication through said body to said manifold chamber; fourth connector means having a fourth fluid communication through said body to said manifold chamber; and gauge means for indicating a fluid condition communicating with said manifold chamber, each of said connector means including a connector fitting secured to said body, means defining a passage in said body extending between the connector fitting and the manually operable valve to be closed by the valve when the valve is in a closed condition and to have communication with the manifold chamber when the valve is in an open condition, the connector fitting and passage of one of said connector means having a preselected flow capacity at least the cumulative flow capacity of the connector fitting and passage of at least two of the other connector means, the manually operable valves of each of said connector means comprising similar size diaphragm valves permitting flow of fluid serially through said one connector means and a parallel connection of at least two of the other connecting means with effectively maximum cumulative flow permitted by said at least two other connecting means whereby application of a vacuum to said one connector means permits concurrent full capacity evacuation of the low and high sides of the refrigeration system through two of the other connector means respectively.