Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Valve or choke making
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-06
2001-10-23
Hughes, S. Thomas (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Valve or choke making
C029S890000, C029S254000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305081
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a valve-in-valve body arrangement, vent port and method of use for service valves, process fittings or service adapters which simplifies the existing apparatus and methods.
Present service valves include a process path from an inlet to an outlet with an external aperture holding a solid valve body. The solid valve body is externally controlled so that it can move and block the process path but performs no other functions. Charging and evacuating are accomplished in other ways including through the use of a process fitting. The process fitting requires a further aperture, the addition of valve fitting itself, machining, and assembly.
These service valves are attached in the factory to the charged side of a system such as a split HVAC system. The HVAC system is charged in the factory through a field side connection, shipped charged, and then connected to the remainder of the split system through the field connection. Often the field side connection will be contaminated with lubricants during factory charging, evacuation, pressure testing, during shipping, or during installation. This will leave residual lubricants with entrained refrigerants inside the assembled system. The subsequent vaporization of the entrained refrigerants can falsely indicate system leaks or other contamination problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object, feature and an advantage of the present invention to solve the problems of the prior art.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a single device which can control the process flow as well as evacuate or charge process fluid into the system.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a process fitting for a refrigeration system where the external valve core provides a path for charging or evacuating the refrigeration system.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to eliminate the complex piece of equipment required for connection to a Schraeder valve in favor of a simpler quick connect fitting.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a process valve which is refrigerant tight when shipped so as to contain refrigerant within a fully charged system and yet provide ready attachments for field installation.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to eliminate additionally machining and tolerance control on the external aperture for a process fitting.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a valve body with an internal chamber containing a valve core.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a quick connect fitting with an extension projecting therefrom.
It is a further object, feature and advantage of the present invention that the extension engage a valve core within a valve body and thereby control access to and from the process stream of a process system.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to further provide a plug in the internal chamber where the plug controls access to side vent ports.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to eliminate the Schraeder valve fitting from a refrigerant process fitting.
It is an object, feature and advantage of the present invention to provide a process fitting which eliminates the Schraeder valve in the external valve body.
The present invention provides a valve in valve assembly. The assembly comprises a housing having an internal passage, a valve body in the housing and movably operable to control fluid flow through the passage, and a chamber in the valve body. The chamber is open to the passage at a first chamber end. A valve core in the chamber controls access between the chamber and the passage.
The present invention also provides a refrigeration valve. The valve comprises a housing including first, second and third apertures, a passage in the housing extending between the first and second apertures, and a valve body within the housing and controllable through the third aperture to block or unblock the passage. The valve body includes a chamber in the valve body open to the first and third apertures, and a releasable valve in the chamber.
The present invention additionally provides a service adapter for connecting process fluid to a process system having a system inlet. The service adapter comprises an adapter body having a first end and an internal passageway; a shaft arranged in the internal passageway; and a core depressor extending from the shaft and projecting from the first end a distance greater than passageway's diameter.
The present invention still further provides an assembly for providing a disconnectable connection between a process unit and tubing, each of which contains process fluid. The assembly comprises a first valve operably connected to the process unit, and a second valve connected to the tubing at a first end and having a second end remote from tubing. The first valve has a housing, a body located in the housing and movably operable to control the flow of a process fluid, an aperture in the housing and adapted to receive a portion of the second valve, and an internal valve mechanism arranged within the body. The second valve includes a projection adapted to engage the internal valve mechanism, where the projection extends from the second end of the second valve a distance greater than the length of the portion.
The present invention yet further provides a process fitting. The process fitting comprises a housing including a process inlet and a process outlet and a passage therebetween. The housing also includes an external aperture, and a valve body movably disposed in the chamber and having a first position blocking the passage and a second position allowing process fluid to flow through the passage. The valve body includes an internal chamber open to the external aperture and open to the passage, and a valve core movably disposed in the internal chamber and adapted to block fluid flow through the internal chamber.
The present invention also provides a valve. The valve comprises a housing, first, second and third apertures in the housing, and a passage between the first and second apertures. The valve also includes a valve body movably positioned in the third aperture and adapted to block the passage in a closed valve body position and to unblock the passage in an open valve body position. The valve further includes a chamber in the valve body open to the third aperture and to the passage when the valve body is in the open valve body position, and open to the third aperture and the first aperture when the valve body is in the closed valve body position. A valve core is located in the chamber and is operable between an open position allowing fluid flow through the chamber and a closed position preventing such fluid flow.
The present invention yet further provides a valve body for use in controlling fluid flow through a valve. The valve body includes a body; a chamber within the body and extending therethrough; and a flow control device located within the chamber and adapted to control fluid flow through the chamber.
The present invention still further provides a valve body suitable for use with a new or an existing valve. The valve body includes a longitudinally extending cylindrical body; and a longitudinal chamber in the body and extending the longitudinal length of the body. A first end of the chamber opens at a first end of the body and a second end of the chamber opens at a second end of the body. A fluid flow control device is positioned within the chamber and adapted to control fluid flow therethrough. The present invention further includes a radial passage in the valve body open at a first end to the chamber and open at a second end in the exterior of the body between the first and second body ends
The present invention also provides a method of installing an HVAC system having a factory side portion, a field side portion, a valve with an exter
American Standard International Inc.
Beres William J.
Hughes S. Thomas
Nguyen T.
O'Driscoll William
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