US5127239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant handling system with facility for clearing system components of refrigerant
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1991-04-08
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2011-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant handling system that includes a compressor and a plurality of refrigerant system components connected in series between a refrigerant source, such as a system under service, and a refrigerant storage container. To clear a selected system component of refrigerant, such as a refrigerant filter or a refrigerant condenser, a valve is connected between the selected component and the compressor. The valve has multiple ports and valve positions, in one of which refrigerant is fed through the selected component to the storage container in normal operation, and in another of which the selected component is isolated from the storage container and connected to the pump inlet for drawing refrigerant from the component and feeding such refrigerant directly to the container. A check valve cooperates with the multi-port valve to isolate the selected component from the storage container during the clearing mode of operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth W. Manz
- 👤 Mark E. Ramsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:00
CPC Classifications
F; F17; F17C; F17C13/00; F17C13/005; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/002; F25B2345/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
241 words
In a refrigerant handling system that includes refrigerant pump means and a plurality of refrigerant system components each having an inlet and an outlet, and means for connecting said components in series through said refrigerant pump means to a refrigerant storage container to feed refrigerant to the container, means for selectively clearing at least one of said components of refrigerant comprising: a valve having first, second, third and fourth ports, valve means having a first position connecting said first port to said second port, and a second position connecting said first port to said third port and said second port to said fourth port, and means for selectively positioning said valve means in said first and second positions, means connecting said first port upstream of said component and means connecting said second port to said component inlet such that said first and second ports in said valve means are part of said series connection in said first position of said valve means, means for connecting said third port to the storage container, means connecting said fourth port to said pump inlet, means including a check valve for connecting said outlet of said component to the refrigerant storage container for permitting flow of refrigerant from said component outlet to the storage container but preventing flow of refrigerant into said component outlet, and means blocking refrigerant flow from said third port to said fourth port in said first position of said valve means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
241 words
In a refrigerant handling system that includes refrigerant pump means and a plurality of refrigerant system components each having an inlet and an outlet, and means for connecting said components in series through said refrigerant pump means to a refrigerant storage container to feed refrigerant to the container, means for selectively clearing at least one of said components of refrigerant comprising: a valve having first, second, third and fourth ports, valve means having a first position connecting said first port to said second port, and a second position connecting said first port to said third port and said second port to said fourth port, and means for selectively positioning said valve means in said first and second positions, means connecting said first port upstream of said component and means connecting said second port to said component inlet such that said first and second ports in said valve means are part of said series connection in said first position of said valve means, means for connecting said third port to the storage container, means connecting said fourth port to said pump inlet, means including a check valve for connecting said outlet of said component to the refrigerant storage container for permitting flow of refrigerant from said component outlet to the storage container but preventing flow of refrigerant into said component outlet, and means blocking refrigerant flow from said third port to said fourth port in said first position of said valve means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow-blocking means comprises said valve means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said flow-blocking means comprises a second refrigerant check valve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said component comprises filter means for removing contaminants from refrigerant passing therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said component comprises a condenser for at least partially condensing refrigerant passing therethrough.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4805416A
Cited
US4903499A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |