Measuring and testing – With fluid pressure – Leakage
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-10
2001-09-25
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
With fluid pressure
Leakage
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293138
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to air conditioning systems for motor vehicles and, more specifically, to an apparatus and method for introducing leak detection dye into an air conditioning system in a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to provide an air conditioning system for a motor vehicle. The air conditioning system typically carries a fluid medium such as a refrigerant to cool air for an occupant compartment of the motor vehicle. Although the air conditioning system works well, it is desirable to test the air conditioning system for leaks of the refrigerant.
It is also known to introduce a leak detection dye into the air conditioning system to detect and locate leaks of the refrigerant. An example of a method of introducing leak detection dye into an air conditioning system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,919. In this patent, a predetermined amount of liquid leak detection additive is implanted on and absorbed into a host swatch of a substrate material, which is capable of absorbing and releasing the leak detection additive. The swatch is installed in a desiccant bag, which is then installed in a receiver/dryer or dehydrator of the air conditioning system. The air conditioning system is assembled, charged and operated, in which the refrigerant and system lubricant flowing through the desiccant bag mixes the additive with the refrigerant and system lubricant. The air conditioning system is then illuminated with ultra-violet illumination and the dye fluoresces to give an indication of a leak in the air conditioning system.
It is also known that the leak detection dye may be formed as a solid, gel, paste or the like as opposed to a liquid. However, if the leak, detection dye is not placed in the desiccant bag, the leak detection dye may travel through the air conditioning system when initially charged and plug or close an opening thereof.
It is desirable to introduce leak detection dye into an air conditioning system that is placed in high pressure, high temperature areas which will dissolve the dye quickly other than a receiver/dryer or dehydrator which contains low pressure vapor and tends to dissolve dye more slowly. It is also desirable to introduce leak detection dye into an air conditioning system without using a carrier or substrate. It is further desirable to introduce leak detection dye into an air conditioning system using a solid, gel, or paste form of the leak detection dye. Therefore, there is a need in the art to introduce leak detection dye into an air conditioning system that accomplishes these desires.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is an apparatus for introducing a leak detection dye into an air conditioning system includes a cradle, a leak detection dye held by the cradle and a mechanism for securing the cradle into a component of the air conditioning system.
Also, the present invention is a method of introducing a leak detection dye into an air conditioning system. The method includes the steps of providing a cradle and placing a leak detection dye into the cradle. The method includes the steps of assembling the cradle to a component of the air conditioning system through which refrigerant circulates and circulating refrigerant through the air conditioning system to dissolve the leak detection dye into the refrigerant.
One advantage of the present invention is that a method is provided of introducing leak detection dye into an air conditioning system of a vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the method uses the leak detection dye in a solid, gel, or paste form to introduce it into the air conditioning system. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that an apparatus is provided to hold the leak detection dye and may be placed in other areas than the receiver/dryer (accumulator) or dehydrator, such as an orifice tube or TXV filter. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the method and apparatus eliminate wasted material, such as a substrate or carrier for the leak detection dye. A further advantage of the present invention is that the apparatus is placed in high-pressure liquid which will aid in dissolving the leak detection dye in the form of a pill or gel and introduce it into the air conditioning system quicker.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Kesler Eric William
Konieczny Donald L.
Olesnavich Michael A.
Larkin Daniel S.
Shelton Larry I.
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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