Seal for a joint or juncture – Process of static sealing – Pipe – conduit – or cable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-16
2001-08-14
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Seal for a joint or juncture
Process of static sealing
Pipe, conduit, or cable
C277S312000, C277S316000, C277S630000, C277S933000, C138S089000, C138S094000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273427
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to refrigeration units and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a refrigeration sealing system for sealing refrigerant within a compressor that favorably diminishes the potential for leaks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Beverage dispensers include cooling systems for cooling beverage fluids, such as a diluent of plain water or carbonated water and beverage flavored syrup, prior to forming and dispensing a desired beverage in that it is highly desirable in the industry to serve carbonated drinks at the coldest temperature possible. Some cooling systems include refrigeration units for cooling beverage fluids.
Refrigeration units include a refrigeration line whereby refrigerant flows therethrough. Refrigerant is pumped through the refrigeration line via a compressor provided by the refrigeration unit. To thus cool beverage fluids, thermal energy is transferred from warm beverage fluids to the cool refrigerant.
FIG. 1
a
is a related art illustration depicting the current refrigeration charging process. As such, a prior art refrigeration sealing system
2
is secured to a compressor
5
using any suitable means. The prior art refrigeration sealing system
2
includes a process tube
30
coupled with and in communication with the compressor
5
. Process tube
30
defines a passageway
39
where refrigerant flows therethrough.
During the refrigerant charging process, new refrigerant is dispensed from a refrigerant charging conduit
10
in communication with the process tube
30
. The refrigerant charging conduit
10
in turn is coupled with and receives refrigerant from a refrigerant source
6
. Refrigerant thus flows from the refrigerant charging conduit
10
across the process tube
30
into the compressor
5
. Accordingly, the refrigerant charging process continues until compressor
5
receives a sufficient amount of refrigerant.
Inasmuch,
FIG. 1
b
is a prior art illustration depicting the process for sealing refrigerant within the compressor
5
. The prior art refrigeration sealing system
2
includes a crimp
37
formed by the process tube
30
and disposed thereon. Crimp
37
enables the process tube
30
to close off passageway
39
, thereby sealing refrigerant within the compressor
5
. In addition, the prior art refrigeration sealing system
2
includes a sealing plug
35
disposed within passageway
29
for sealing refrigerant within the compressor
5
. Sealing plug
35
is a standard sealing plug used in the industry and is composed of solder material.
Unfortunately, the prior art refrigeration sealing system
2
does not favorably diminish the potential for leaks. This current sealing process, however is not satisfactory. As such, although sealed within the compressor, refrigerant often leaks from the refrigeration unit. Crimping process tube
30
often causes stress fractures along crimp
37
allowing for refrigerant to leak out. Similarly, refrigerant can leak from gaps provided between sealing plug
35
and passageway
39
in that sealing plug
35
fails to satisfactorily close off passageway
39
.
Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a refrigeration sealing system for sealing refrigerant within a compressor that favorably diminishes the potential for leaks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a refrigeration sealing system for a refrigeration unit includes a trap-process tube coupled with and in communication with a compressor of the refrigeration unit for receiving refrigerant from a refrigerant source. The trap-process tube defines a passageway through which refrigerant flows from the refrigerant source to the compressor. The refrigeration sealing system for a refrigeration unit further includes an annular plug disposed within the passageway. The annular plug defines a bore for facilitating the flow of refrigerant through the passageway. The annular plug is further deformable to seal the passageway of the trap process tube.
A method for sealing refrigerant within a refrigeration unit, includes the steps of coupling a trap-process tube with a compressor of the refrigeration unit, whereby the trap-process tube is in communication with the compressor; passing refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the compressor through the trap-process tube, wherein the trap-process tube defines a passageway through which refrigerant flows from the refrigerant source to the compressor; and closing off the passageway so that refrigerant is sealed within the refrigeration unit.
The step of passing refrigerant from the refrigerant source to the compressor through the trap-process tube includes the steps of positioning an annular plug within the passageway and passing refrigerant through a bore defined by the annular passageway. The step of closing off the passageway so that refrigerant is sealed within the refrigeration unit includes the steps of forming a sealing slug for sealing the passageway and positioning the sealing slug within the passageway, thereby sealing the passageway. The step of forming a sealing plug for sealing the passageway includes the steps of deforming the annular plug, collecting deformed material from the annular plug within the passageway, and hardening the deformed material, thereby forming the sealing slug.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a refrigeration sealing system for sealing refrigerant within a compressor that favorably diminishes the potential for leaks.
Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5890375 (1999-04-01), Stahl
patent: 5988223 (1999-11-01), Kanzaki et al.
patent: 6098657 (2000-08-01), Sugg
Hawkins, Jr. John Thomas
Simmons Darren W.
Lancer Partnership Ltd.
Mah Chuck Y.
Makay Christopher L.
Peavey Enoch E.
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