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US4367637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for the maintenance of refrigeration equipment
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1981-06-18
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Granted: 1983-01-11
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Expires: 2001-06-18
Abstract
Abstract The maintenance of refrigeration equipment, for example on board airborne refrigeration equipment, is greatly facilitated by a portable maintenance apparatus. For this purpose the portable apparatus comprises a first section for pressure emptying any refrigeration circulatory conduits by using pressurized nitrogen. A second section including at least one hand operated pump is used for refilling the refrigeration circulatory conduits with refrigerant. Both sections are provided with quick-release couplings for a rapid connection to and disconnection from a refrigeration system. The apparatus also includes a venting device for venting the refrigeration system including any intermediate circulatory conduits.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Paulokat
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:21
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for the maintenance of refrigeration equipment, comprising first conduit means (1a) including first coupling members connectable to said refrigeration equipment and to a source of nitrogen under pressure for pressure emptying said refrigeration equipment, second conduit means (1b) including second coupling members and a source of refrigerant connectable to refrigeration equipment and to said source of refrigerant for replenishing refrigeration equipment with new refrigerant, and venting means forming part of said second means connectable to refrigeration equipment for venting the refrigeration equipment, and wherein said second conduit means (1b) comprise a tank for holding a quantity of refrigerant, an inlet conduit (11) operatively connected to said tank (6), an outlet conduit (12) operatively connected to said tank (6), a pressure gage (14) operatively connected to said inlet conduit, a valve (15) operatively connected in said inlet conduit (11), further valve means (18) connected in said outlet conduit (12), and pump means (17) operatively connected to said outlet conduit (12) for conveying refrigerant, said second coupling means being connected to the free end of said outlet conduit means (12).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
180 words
An apparatus for the maintenance of refrigeration equipment, comprising first conduit means (1a) including first coupling members connectable to said refrigeration equipment and to a source of nitrogen under pressure for pressure emptying said refrigeration equipment, second conduit means (1b) including second coupling members and a source of refrigerant connectable to refrigeration equipment and to said source of refrigerant for replenishing refrigeration equipment with new refrigerant, and venting means forming part of said second means connectable to refrigeration equipment for venting the refrigeration equipment, and wherein said second conduit means (1b) comprise a tank for holding a quantity of refrigerant, an inlet conduit (11) operatively connected to said tank (6), an outlet conduit (12) operatively connected to said tank (6), a pressure gage (14) operatively connected to said inlet conduit, a valve (15) operatively connected in said inlet conduit (11), further valve means (18) connected in said outlet conduit (12), and pump means (17) operatively connected to said outlet conduit (12) for conveying refrigerant, said second coupling means being connected to the free end of said outlet conduit means (12).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first conduit means comprise a first conduit (5) wherein said first coupling members are connected to the ends of said first conduit, a closure valve (2) operatively connected in said first conduit (5), and a pressure gage (3) operatively connected to said first conduit (5) whereby said first conduit is connectable to a source of nitrogen under pressure at one end thereof and to refrigeration equipment at the other end thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising sight glass means (7) operatively connected to said tank for visually inspecting the sight glass means, said inlet conduit means having an inlet pipe member (8) positioned for visual inspection through said sight glass means, liquid level indicator means (9) connected to said tank, filling port means (10) connected to said tank, and a temperature gage operatively connected to said tank for measuring the temperature inside said tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said sight glass means comprise a see-through window pane in a wall of said tank, a slanted mirror operatively positioned in front of said window pane and light source means operatively located behind said sight glass means whereby a visual inspection may be made by looking downwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the liquid level indicator means comprise an endless belt (44), guide rollers (42, 43) operatively arranged and spaced in said tank so that said endless belt runs around said guide rollers, a float attached to said belt in fluid communication with any fluid in said tank for sensing the fluid level in the tank, a scale marked on said endless belt, and window means in said tank so positioned that said scale on the endless belt is visible through said window means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said liquid level indicator means comprise float means (51), threaded means movably passing through said float means, guide means (47) arranged for permitting an up and down movement of said float means but preventing rotation of said float means and pointer means operatively connected to said threaded means for indicating the instantaneous position of said float means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said further valve means comprise two valves (18, 25) operatively connected in said outlet conduit (12), said second coupling means comprising a further coupling member (24) connected in series with said hand pump means (17) between said two valves (18, 25), said further coupling member (24) being connected to the suction side of said hand pump means, said apparatus further comprising second hand pump means connected in parallel to the first mentioned hand pump means, said second hand pump means having a larger capacity than the first hand pump means, and wherein said second coupling means comprise two coupling members (13b, 13c) connected in parallel to the free end of said outlet conduit (12).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising sight glass means in the form of a see-through tubular member (36), fluid passage providing connector means (37, 38) operatively securing both ends of said tubular member to said tank, said inlet conduit means (11) having an inlet pipe member (8) reaching into said tubular member (36) of said sight glass means whereby the free end of said inlet pipe member is inspectable in said tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising housing means including closeable cover means, said first means, said second means and venting means being operatively positioned in said housing means, control panel means in said housing means, said first and second coupling members being operatively connected to said control panel means, and control means on said control panel means for said first and second means and for said venting means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |