US5212959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigerant processing and transferring system
Assignee: GALCO TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-03
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Granted: 1993-05-25
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Expires: 2012-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A refrigerant and transfer system has a vapor suction inlet connector to introduce refrigerant from a refrigerant line of a refrigerant system under repair containing refrigerant in vapor form to an input end of a first fluid path which pumps the refrigerant to its output end. The first fluid path has a filter and drying stage, a high pressure compressor, and an oil separator to purify the refrigerant passing therethrough. The refrigerant is then passed to a condenser and stored in a receiver tank of the receiver section. If the refrigerant line of the refrigerant system under repair contains a refrigerant in liquid form, then the refrigerant line should be connected to a liquid refrigerant connector of the refrigerant processing and transferring system. The refrigerant is then stored in a receiver tank of the receiver section. The refrigerant can be further processed by transferring the refrigerant from one receiver tank to another using the first fluid path.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles E. Galbreath, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:31
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25B; F25B45/00; F25B2345/00; F25B2345/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
668 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system usable with a refrigerant system under repair, comprising: a first fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in vapor form having an input end for receiving the refrigerant in vapor form at low pressure and an output end for producing a processed vapor refrigerant at high pressure; a vapor suction inlet connector having a vapor suction inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system under repair having refrigerant in vapor form located therein; a condenser for receiving a refrigerant in vapor form at high pressure at an input end thereof, for condensing the refrigerant therein, and for producing a condensed liquid refrigerant at an output end thereof under high pressure, wherein the output end of said first fluid path is connected to the input end of said condenser; a liquid refrigerant receiver section for storing refrigerant in liquid form under high pressure; said first fluid path further comprising: a filter and dryer stage for filtering and drying refrigerants entering therein from an input end connected thereto and exiting therefrom from an output end connected thereto, wherein the input end thereof is connected to the input end of said first fluid path; a suction regulator stage having an input end and an output end; a first fluid connection connecting the filtered and dried refrigerant at the output end of said filter and dryer stage to the input end of said suction and regulator stage; a suction accumulator stage having an input end and an output end; a second fluid connection connecting the output end of said suction and regulator stage to the input end of said suction accumulator stage; a low pressure compressor having an input end and an output end; a low pressure compressor inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a third fluid connection connecting the output end of said suction accumulator to the inlet of said low pressure compressor inlet valve; a fourth fluid connection connecting the outlet of said low pressure compressor valve to the input end of said low pressure compressor; a low pressure compressor outlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a fifth fluid connection connecting the outlet of said low pressure compressor to the inlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve; a high pressure compressor having an input end and an output end; a sixth fluid connection connecting the outlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve to the input end of said high pressure compressor; an oil separator stage having an input end, a first output end for producing the processed vapor refrigerant located at the output end of said first fluid path, and a second output end for circulating some of the oil recovered by the oil separator stage to the high pressure compressor; a seventh fluid connection connecting the output end of said high pressure compressor to the input end of said oil separator; a second fluid path for selectively delivering said condensed liquid refrigerant to said liquid refrigerant receiver section and blocking said condensed liquid refrigerant from entering said liquid refrigerant receiver section; a third fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in liquid form from an input end thereof to an output end thereof, wherein said output end thereof is connected to said liquid refrigerant receiver section; a liquid refrigerant connector having a liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said third fluid path to a refrigerant line of said refrigerant system under repair with refrigerant in liquid form located therein; a vapor discharge outlet connector having a vapor discharge outlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system having a refrigerant in vapor form located therein; and a fourth fluid path for selectively connecting or disconnecting said liquid refrigerant receiver section to said input end of the first fluid path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
668 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system usable with a refrigerant system under repair, comprising: a first fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in vapor form having an input end for receiving the refrigerant in vapor form at low pressure and an output end for producing a processed vapor refrigerant at high pressure; a vapor suction inlet connector having a vapor suction inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system under repair having refrigerant in vapor form located therein; a condenser for receiving a refrigerant in vapor form at high pressure at an input end thereof, for condensing the refrigerant therein, and for producing a condensed liquid refrigerant at an output end thereof under high pressure, wherein the output end of said first fluid path is connected to the input end of said condenser; a liquid refrigerant receiver section for storing refrigerant in liquid form under high pressure; said first fluid path further comprising: a filter and dryer stage for filtering and drying refrigerants entering therein from an input end connected thereto and exiting therefrom from an output end connected thereto, wherein the input end thereof is connected to the input end of said first fluid path; a suction regulator stage having an input end and an output end; a first fluid connection connecting the filtered and dried refrigerant at the output end of said filter and dryer stage to the input end of said suction and regulator stage; a suction accumulator stage having an input end and an output end; a second fluid connection connecting the output end of said suction and regulator stage to the input end of said suction accumulator stage; a low pressure compressor having an input end and an output end; a low pressure compressor inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a third fluid connection connecting the output end of said suction accumulator to the inlet of said low pressure compressor inlet valve; a fourth fluid connection connecting the outlet of said low pressure compressor valve to the input end of said low pressure compressor; a low pressure compressor outlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a fifth fluid connection connecting the outlet of said low pressure compressor to the inlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve; a high pressure compressor having an input end and an output end; a sixth fluid connection connecting the outlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve to the input end of said high pressure compressor; an oil separator stage having an input end, a first output end for producing the processed vapor refrigerant located at the output end of said first fluid path, and a second output end for circulating some of the oil recovered by the oil separator stage to the high pressure compressor; a seventh fluid connection connecting the output end of said high pressure compressor to the input end of said oil separator; a second fluid path for selectively delivering said condensed liquid refrigerant to said liquid refrigerant receiver section and blocking said condensed liquid refrigerant from entering said liquid refrigerant receiver section; a third fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in liquid form from an input end thereof to an output end thereof, wherein said output end thereof is connected to said liquid refrigerant receiver section; a liquid refrigerant connector having a liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said third fluid path to a refrigerant line of said refrigerant system under repair with refrigerant in liquid form located therein; a vapor discharge outlet connector having a vapor discharge outlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system having a refrigerant in vapor form located therein; and a fourth fluid path for selectively connecting or disconnecting said liquid refrigerant receiver section to said input end of the first fluid path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first fluid path further comprises: a low pressure compressor bypass valve having an inlet connected to said third fluid connection and an outlet connected to said sixth fluid connection so as to bypass said low pressure compressor when said low pressure compressor bypass valve is open, said low pressure compressor inlet valve is closed, and said low pressure compressor outlet valve is closed; and a high pressure compressor bypass valve having an inlet connected to said sixth fluid connection and an outlet connected to the output end of said first fluid path so as to bypass said high pressure compressor and said oil separator stage when said high pressure compressor bypass valve is open.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
528 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system usable with a refrigerant system under repair, comprising: a first fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in vapor form having an input end for receiving the refrigerant in vapor form at low pressure and an output end for producing a processed vapor refrigerant at high pressure; a vapor suction inlet connector having a vapor suction inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system under repair having refrigerant in vapor form located therein; a condenser for receiving a refrigerant in vapor form at high pressure at an input end thereof, for condensing the refrigerant therein, and for producing a condensed liquid refrigerant at an output end thereof under high pressure, wherein the output end of said first fluid path is connected to the input end of said condenser; a liquid refrigerant receiver section for storing refrigerant in liquid form under high pressure; said liquid receiver section comprising a first receiver tank and a second receiver tank; a second fluid path for selectively delivering said condensed liquid refrigerant to said liquid refrigerant receiver section and blocking said condensed liquid refrigerant from entering said liquid refrigerant receiver section; a third fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in liquid form from an input end thereof to an output end thereof, wherein said output end thereof is connected to said liquid refrigerant receiver section; said third fluid path further comprising: a first receiver liquid refrigerant inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said third fluid path to said first receiver tank; a second receiver liquid refrigerant, inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said third fluid path to said second receiver tank; a filter and dryer stage for receiving the refrigerant in liquid form at an input end thereof connected to the input end of said third fluid path, for filtering and drying refrigerant therein, and for producing a filtered and dried refrigerant at the output end thereof connected to the output end of said third fluid path; a liquid refrigerant connector having a liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said third fluid path to a refrigerant line of said refrigerant system under repair with refrigerant in liquid form located therein; a vapor discharger outlet connector having a vapor discharge outlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system having a refrigerant in vapor form located therein; a fourth fluid path for selectively connecting or disconnecting said liquid refrigerant receiver section to said input end of said first fluid path; a fifth fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in liquid form entering from an input end thereof connected to said liquid refrigerant receiver section and exiting from an output end thereof connected to said liquid refrigerant connector; and said liquid refrigerant connector further comprising a liquid refrigerant outlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said fifth fluid path to said liquid refrigerant connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
528 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system usable with a refrigerant system under repair, comprising: a first fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in vapor form having an input end for receiving the refrigerant in vapor form at low pressure and an output end for producing a processed vapor refrigerant at high pressure; a vapor suction inlet connector having a vapor suction inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system under repair having refrigerant in vapor form located therein; a condenser for receiving a refrigerant in vapor form at high pressure at an input end thereof, for condensing the refrigerant therein, and for producing a condensed liquid refrigerant at an output end thereof under high pressure, wherein the output end of said first fluid path is connected to the input end of said condenser; a liquid refrigerant receiver section for storing refrigerant in liquid form under high pressure; said liquid receiver section comprising a first receiver tank and a second receiver tank; a second fluid path for selectively delivering said condensed liquid refrigerant to said liquid refrigerant receiver section and blocking said condensed liquid refrigerant from entering said liquid refrigerant receiver section; a third fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in liquid form from an input end thereof to an output end thereof, wherein said output end thereof is connected to said liquid refrigerant receiver section; said third fluid path further comprising: a first receiver liquid refrigerant inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said third fluid path to said first receiver tank; a second receiver liquid refrigerant, inlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said third fluid path to said second receiver tank; a filter and dryer stage for receiving the refrigerant in liquid form at an input end thereof connected to the input end of said third fluid path, for filtering and drying refrigerant therein, and for producing a filtered and dried refrigerant at the output end thereof connected to the output end of said third fluid path; a liquid refrigerant connector having a liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said third fluid path to a refrigerant line of said refrigerant system under repair with refrigerant in liquid form located therein; a vapor discharger outlet connector having a vapor discharge outlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said first fluid path to a refrigerant line of the refrigerant system having a refrigerant in vapor form located therein; a fourth fluid path for selectively connecting or disconnecting said liquid refrigerant receiver section to said input end of said first fluid path; a fifth fluid path for transferring and processing refrigerant in liquid form entering from an input end thereof connected to said liquid refrigerant receiver section and exiting from an output end thereof connected to said liquid refrigerant connector; and said liquid refrigerant connector further comprising a liquid refrigerant outlet connector valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the output end of said fifth fluid path to said liquid refrigerant connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said fifth fluid path comprises: a first receiver liquid refrigerant outlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said fifth fluid path to said first receiver tank; a second receiver liquid refrigerant outlet valve for selectively connecting and disconnecting the input end of said fifth fluid path to said second receiver tank; and said filter and dryer stage having the input thereof connected to the input end of said fifth fluid path and the output end thereof connected to the output end of said fifth fluid path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
493 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system usable with a refrigerant system under repair, comprising: a vapor suction inlet connector for connecting said refrigerant processing and transferring system to a refrigerant line of said refrigerant system under repair, said refrigerant line containing a vaporous refrigerant therein; a vapor suction inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid connection between said first connector and the inlet of said vapor suction inlet valve; a first filter and dryer stage having an inlet and an outlet; a second fluid connection between the outlet of said vapor suction inlet valve and said inlet of said first filter and dryer stage; a suction regulator stage having an inlet and an outlet; a third fluid connection between the outlet of said first filter and dryer stage and the inlet of said suction regulator stage; a suction accumulator stage having an inlet and an outlet; a fourth fluid connection between the outlet of said suction regulator stage and the inlet of said suction accumulator stage; a low pressure compressor having an inlet and an outlet; a low pressure compressor inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a low pressure compressor outlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a low pressure compressor bypass valve having an inlet and an outlet; a fifth fluid connection between the outlet of said suction accumulator stage, the inlet of said low pressure compressor inlet valve, and the inlet of said low pressure compressor bypass valve; a sixth fluid connection between the outlet of said low pressure compressor inlet valve and the inlet of said low pressure compressor; a seventh fluid connection between the outlet of said low pressure compressor and the inlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve; a high pressure compressor having an inlet and an outlet; an eighth fluid connection between the outlet of said low pressure compressor bypass valve, the outlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve, and the inlet of said high pressure compressor; an oil separator stage having an inlet, an outlet, and means for circulating some of the oil recovered from the vaporous refrigerant passing therethrough to the high pressure compressor; a ninth fluid connection between the outlet of said high pressure compressor and the inlet of said oil separator; a condenser stage for condensing vapor refrigerant therein having an inlet for receiving a vapor refrigerant and an outlet for producing a condensed liquid refrigerant therefrom; a tenth fluid connection between the outlet of said oil separator and the inlet of said condenser; a first receiver tank having a condensed refrigerant inlet; a first receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; an eleventh fluid connection between the outlet of said condenser stage and the inlet of said first receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve; an twelfth fluid connection between the outlet of said first receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve and the condensed refrigerant inlet of said first liquid refrigerant receiver.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
493 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system usable with a refrigerant system under repair, comprising: a vapor suction inlet connector for connecting said refrigerant processing and transferring system to a refrigerant line of said refrigerant system under repair, said refrigerant line containing a vaporous refrigerant therein; a vapor suction inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a first fluid connection between said first connector and the inlet of said vapor suction inlet valve; a first filter and dryer stage having an inlet and an outlet; a second fluid connection between the outlet of said vapor suction inlet valve and said inlet of said first filter and dryer stage; a suction regulator stage having an inlet and an outlet; a third fluid connection between the outlet of said first filter and dryer stage and the inlet of said suction regulator stage; a suction accumulator stage having an inlet and an outlet; a fourth fluid connection between the outlet of said suction regulator stage and the inlet of said suction accumulator stage; a low pressure compressor having an inlet and an outlet; a low pressure compressor inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a low pressure compressor outlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; a low pressure compressor bypass valve having an inlet and an outlet; a fifth fluid connection between the outlet of said suction accumulator stage, the inlet of said low pressure compressor inlet valve, and the inlet of said low pressure compressor bypass valve; a sixth fluid connection between the outlet of said low pressure compressor inlet valve and the inlet of said low pressure compressor; a seventh fluid connection between the outlet of said low pressure compressor and the inlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve; a high pressure compressor having an inlet and an outlet; an eighth fluid connection between the outlet of said low pressure compressor bypass valve, the outlet of said low pressure compressor outlet valve, and the inlet of said high pressure compressor; an oil separator stage having an inlet, an outlet, and means for circulating some of the oil recovered from the vaporous refrigerant passing therethrough to the high pressure compressor; a ninth fluid connection between the outlet of said high pressure compressor and the inlet of said oil separator; a condenser stage for condensing vapor refrigerant therein having an inlet for receiving a vapor refrigerant and an outlet for producing a condensed liquid refrigerant therefrom; a tenth fluid connection between the outlet of said oil separator and the inlet of said condenser; a first receiver tank having a condensed refrigerant inlet; a first receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve having an inlet and an outlet; an eleventh fluid connection between the outlet of said condenser stage and the inlet of said first receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve; an twelfth fluid connection between the outlet of said first receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve and the condensed refrigerant inlet of said first liquid refrigerant receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A refrigerant process and transfer system as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a high pressure compressor bypass valve having an inlet connected to said eighth fluid connection and an outlet connected to said tenth fluid connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a compressor pump down inlet valve having an outlet connected to said sixth fluid connection and an inlet; a vapor suction inlet pump down valve having an inlet connected to said first fluid connection and an outlet; a pump down fluid connection between the inlet of said compressor pump down inlet valve and the outlet of said vapor suction inlet pump down valve; a compressor pump down outlet connector; a compressor pump down outlet valve having an inlet connected to said seventh fluid connection and an outlet connected to said compressor pump down outlet connector;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a second receiver tank having a condensed refrigerant inlet; a second receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve having an inlet connected to said eleventh fluid connection and an outlet; a thirteenth fluid connection between the condensed refrigerant inlet of said second receiver tank and the outlet of said second receiver condensed refrigerant inlet valve; and a first safety relief valve and a second safety relief valve connected to the first receiver and the second receiver, respectively, each releasing the pressure within their respective receivers when the pressure therein reaches three-hundred pounds per square inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a condensed refrigerant outlet connector; a condensed refrigerant outlet connector valve having an inlet connected to said eleventh fluid connection and an outlet; a fourteenth fluid connection connected between said condensed refrigerant outlet connector and the outlet of said condensed refrigerant outlet connector valve; a vapor discharge outlet connector; a vapor discharge outlet connector valve having an inlet connected to said tenth fluid connection and an outlet; a fifteenth fluid connection connected between said vapor discharge outlet connector and said outlet of said vapor discharge outlet connector valve; a vapor discharge outlet pump down valve having an inlet connected to said fifteenth fluid connection and an outlet connected to said pump down fluid connection; and a condensed refrigerant outlet pump down valve having an inlet connected to said fourteenth fluid connection and an outlet connected to said pump down fluid connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
269 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a liquid refrigerant connector; a liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve having an inlet and an outlet; a sixteenth fluid connection connected between said liquid refrigerant connector and the inlet of said liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve; a second filter and dryer stage having an inlet and an outlet; a seventeenth fluid connection between the outlet of said liquid refrigerant inlet connector valve and the inlet of said second filter and dryer stage; a first receiver liquid refrigerant inlet valve having an outlet connected to a liquid refrigerant inlet of said first receiver tank and an inlet; an eighteenth fluid connection between the outlet of said second filter and dryer stage and the inlet of said first receiver liquid refrigerant inlet valve; a second receiver liquid refrigerant inlet valve having an inlet connected to said eighteenth fluid connection and an outlet connected to a liquid refrigerant inlet of said second receiver tank; a first receiver outlet valve having an inlet connected to the liquid refrigerant inlet of said first receiver tank and an outlet connected to said seventeenth fluid connection; a second receiver outlet valve having an inlet connected to the liquid refrigerant inlet of said second receiver tank and an outlet connected to said seventeenth fluid connection; a liquid refrigerant outlet valve having an inlet connected to said eighteenth fluid connection and an outlet connected to said sixteenth fluid connection; and a liquid refrigerant pump down valve having an inlet connected to said sixteenth fluid connection and an outlet connected to said pump down fluid connection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
164 words
A refrigerant processing and transferring system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: a first vapor suction outlet valve having an inlet connected to a vapor suction outlet of said first receiver tank and an outlet connected to said second fluid connection; a second vapor suction outlet valve having an inlet connected to a vapor suction outlet of said second receiver tank and an outlet connected to said second fluid connection; a first receiver drain connector; a first receiver drain valve having an inlet connected to a liquid drain outlet of said first receiver tank and an outlet; a nineteenth fluid connection between the first receiver drain connector and the outlet of said first receiver drain valve; a second receiver drain connector; a second receiver drain valve having an inlet connected to a liquid drain outlet of said second receiver tank and an outlet; and a twentieth fluid connection between the second receiver drain connector and the outlet of said second receiver drain valve.
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) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |