US4805416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant recovery, purification and recharging system
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 1988-02-19
•
Granted: 1989-02-21
•
Expires: 2008-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for recovering, purifying and recharging refrigerant in a refrigeration system comprises a refrigerant compressor having an input connected through an evaporator and a recovery control valve to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered, purified and recharged. A condenser is connected to the output of the compressor in heat exchange relation with the evaporator for liquifying refrigerant from the compressor output. Refrigerant liquified in the condenser is fed to a first port of a refrigerant storage container. During a purification cycle, refrigerant is circulated from a second port of the refrigerant storage container in a closed path through a circulation valve and a filter for removing water and other contaminants, and then returned to the first container port. The refrigeration system from which refrigerant has been recovered is evacuated to atmosphere through a vacuum valve. Following such evacuation, the second port of the refrigerant storage container is connected through a recharging valve to the refrigeration of system for feeding refrigerant from the storage container to the refrigeration system, and thereby recharging the refrigeration system for normal use.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Manz
- 👤 Roger D. Shirley
- 👤 Richard D. Parks
- 👤 Dennis W. Hickman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:43
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/001; F25B2345/002; F25B2345/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A refrigerant recovery and purification system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding liquid refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing contaminants from refrigerant passing therethrough; and means for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A refrigerant recovery and purification system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding liquid refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing contaminants from refrigerant passing therethrough; and means for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said selectively-circulating means includes said compressor, and means for selectively connecting said compressor input to said second port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system set forth in claim 2 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said means for connecting said compressor input to said refrigeration system for selectively connecting said second port to said compressor input through said evaporator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 3 wherein said selectively-connecting means includes means connected between said second port and said evaporator means for vaporizing refrigerant passing therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system set forth in claim 4 wherein said vaporizing means comprises an expansion valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system set forth in claim 3 further comprising supplemental condensing means connected between said condenser means and said first port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system set forth in claim 6 wherein said supplemental condensing means comprises a condenser coil, a fan including a fan drive motor for circulating cooling air over said coil, and means for energizing said motor when refrigerant is circulated in said closed path from said second port to said compressor input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system set forth in claim 2 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said evaporator means for connecting said second port to said compressor input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system set forth in claim 8 wherein said refrigerant storage means has separate liquid and vapor ports, said liquid port comprising said first port and said vapor port comprising said second port.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said selectively-circulating means comprises pump means separate from said compressor having an input coupled to said second port, and means in parallel with said refrigerant-feeding means for connecting said pump through said filter means to said first port.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said filter means comprises means for removing water vapor from refrigerant passing therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system set forth in claim 11 wherein said filter means further comprises means for indicating operating condition of said filter means as a function of pressure drop of refrigerant passing through said filter means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system set forth in claim 12 further comprising means for indicating water concentration of refrigerant exiting said filter means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for recharging said refrigeration system from refrigerant in said container comprising: means connected to said refrigeration system for evacuating said system following removal of refrigerant therefrom, and means connecting said second port to said refrigeration system for selectively feeding refrigerant from said storage means to said refrigeration system following evacuation thereof by said evacuating means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for recovering, purifying and recharging refrigerant in a refrigeration system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means and a recovery control valve for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered, purified and recharged; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing contaminants from refrigerant passing therethrough; means including a circulation valve for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port; means for evacuating said refrigeration system including a vacuum valve for selectively connecting said refrigeration system through said evacuating means; means including a recharging valve for selectively connecting said second port to said refrigeration system for selectively feeding refrigerant from said storage means to said refrigeration system; and means for selectively operating said recovery control valve, said circulation valve, said vacuum valve and said recharging valve for recovering refrigerant from said refrigeration system and storage thereof in said storage means, purification of refrigerant in said storage means by circulation through said filter means, evacuating said refrigeration system, and recharging said refrigeration system with refrigerant from said storage means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
234 words
A system for recovering, purifying and recharging refrigerant in a refrigeration system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means and a recovery control valve for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered, purified and recharged; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing contaminants from refrigerant passing therethrough; means including a circulation valve for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port; means for evacuating said refrigeration system including a vacuum valve for selectively connecting said refrigeration system through said evacuating means; means including a recharging valve for selectively connecting said second port to said refrigeration system for selectively feeding refrigerant from said storage means to said refrigeration system; and means for selectively operating said recovery control valve, said circulation valve, said vacuum valve and said recharging valve for recovering refrigerant from said refrigeration system and storage thereof in said storage means, purification of refrigerant in said storage means by circulation through said filter means, evacuating said refrigeration system, and recharging said refrigeration system with refrigerant from said storage means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said selectively operating means includes means for operating said evacuating means and said selectively-circulating means simultaneously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said evacuating means comprises a vacuum pump and means in parallel with said evaporator means for selectively connecting said vacuum pump to said refrigeration system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said evacuation means comprises said compressor and means for selectively venting said compressor output to atmosphere.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said selectively-feeding means comprises means for directly coupling said second port to said refrigeration system such that pressure in said refrigeration system following evacuation thereof and latent heat in refrigerant in said storage means passively propel refrigerant from said storage means through said second port to said refrigeration system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said selectively-feeding means comprises pump means separate from said compressor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system set forth in claim 20 wherein said selectively-circulating means comprises said pump means having an input for selective connection to said second port and an output, first means for selectively connecting said output of said pump means through said filter means to said first port, and second means in parallel with said first means for selectively connecting said output of said pump means to said refrigeration system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said selectively-feeding means comprises said compressor, means for selectively connecting said compressor input to said second port, and means in parallel with said condenser means for selectively connecting said compressor output to said refrigeration system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 22 wherein said selectively-connecting means includes means connected between said second port and said compressor input for vaporizing refrigerant passing therethrough.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 22 wherein said selectively-circulating means includes said compressor and said means for selectively connecting said compressor input to said second port.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system set forth in claim 24 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said means for connecting said compressor input to said refrigeration system for selectively connecting said second port to said compressor input through said evaporator means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system set forth in claim 24 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said evaporator means for connecting said second port to said compressor input.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said selectively circulating means includes said compressor, and means for selectively connecting said compressor input to said second port.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system set forth in claim 27 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said means for connecting said compressor input to said refrigeration system for selectively connecting said second port to said compressor input through said evaporator means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 28 wherein said selectively-connecting means includes means connected between said second port and said evaporator means for vaporizing refrigerant passing therethrough.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system set forth in claim 28 further comprising supplemental condensing means connected between said condenser means and said first port.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system set forth in claim 27 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said evaporator means for connecting said second port to said compressor input.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system set forth in claim 31 wherein said refrigerant storage means has separate liquid and vapor ports, said liquid port comprising said first port and said vapor port comprising said second port.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system set forth in claim 15 wherein said selectively-circulating means comprises pump means separate from said compressor having an input coupled to said second port, and means in parallel with said refrigerant-feeding means for connecting said pump through said filter means to said first port.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
143 words
A refrigerant recovery and purification system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding liquid refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing water from refrigerant passing therethrough; means for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port; means for indicating operating condition of said filter means as a function of pressure drop of refrigerant passing through said filter means; and means for indicating water concentration of refrigerant exiting said filter means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
143 words
A refrigerant recovery and purification system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding liquid refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing water from refrigerant passing therethrough; means for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port; means for indicating operating condition of said filter means as a function of pressure drop of refrigerant passing through said filter means; and means for indicating water concentration of refrigerant exiting said filter means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
166 words
A refrigerant recovery and purification system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding liquid refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing water from refrigerant passing therethrough; means for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port; and means for recharging said refrigeration system from refrigerant in said container including: means connected to said refrigeration system for evacuating said system following removal of refrigerant therefrom, and means connecting said second port to said refrigeration system for selectively feeding refrigerant from said storage means to said refrigerant system following evacuation thereof by said evacuating means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
166 words
A refrigerant recovery and purification system comprising: a refrigerant compressor having an input and an output; means including evaporator means for connecting said compressor input to a refrigeration system from which refrigerant is to be recovered; condenser means coupled to said compressor output in heat exchange relation to said evaporator means for liquifying refrigerant from said compressor output; refrigerant storage means having first and second ports; means for feeding liquid refrigerant from said condenser means to said first port; filter means for removing water from refrigerant passing therethrough; means for selectively circulating refrigerant in a closed path from said second port through said filter means to said first port; and means for recharging said refrigeration system from refrigerant in said container including: means connected to said refrigeration system for evacuating said system following removal of refrigerant therefrom, and means connecting said second port to said refrigeration system for selectively feeding refrigerant from said storage means to said refrigerant system following evacuation thereof by said evacuating means.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system set forth in claim 35 wherein said evacuating means comprises a vacuum pump and means for selectively connecting said vacuum pump to said refrigeration system in parallel with said evaporator means.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system set forth in claim 35 wherein said evacuating means comprises said compressor and means for selectively venting said compressor output to atmosphere.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system set forth in claim 35 wherein said selectively-feeding means comprises means for directly coupling said second port to said refrigeration system such that pressure in said refrigeration system following evacuation thereof and latent heat in refrigerant in said storage means passively propel refrigerant from said storage means through said second port to said refrigeration system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system set forth in claim 35 wherein said selectively-feeding means comprises pump means separate from said compressor.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system set forth in claim 39 wherein said selectively-circulating means comprises said pump means having an input for selective connection to said second port and an output, first means for selectively connecting said output of said pump means through said filter means to said first port, and second means in parallel with said first means for selectively connecting said output of said pump means to said refrigeration system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system set forth in claim 35 wherein said selectively-feeding means comprises said compressor, means for selectively connecting said compressor input to said second port, and means in parallel with said condenser means for selectively connecting said compressor output to said refrigeration system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 20 wherein said selectively-connecting means includes means connected between said second port and said compressor input for vaporizing refrigerant passing therethrough.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system set forth in claim 41 wherein said selectively-circulating means includes said compressor and said means for selectively connecting said compressor input to said second port.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system set forth in claim 43 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said means for connecting said compressor input to said refrigeration system for selectively connecting said second port to said compressor input through said evaporator means.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system set forth in claim 43 wherein said selectively-connecting means comprises means in parallel with said evaporator means for connecting said second port to said compressor input.
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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) | 1992-02-21 | 1992-08-22 | 1993-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-21 | 1996-08-22 | 1997-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-21 | 2000-08-22 | 2001-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |