EGGEN, Phil (3574 Corona Street, Lake Worth, FL, 33461, US)
ERDEK, Paul (3574 Corona Street, Lake Worth, FL, 33461, US)
EGGEN, Mark (3574 Corona Street, Lake Worth, FL, 33461, US)
EGGEN, Phil (3574 Corona Street, Lake Worth, FL, 33461, US)
ERDEK, Paul (3574 Corona Street, Lake Worth, FL, 33461, US)
| CLAIMS 1. A method of providing additive to a refrigerant circuit, the method comprising: connecting a supply device to the refrigerant circuit at a portion of the refrigerant circuit where a circuit pressure is less than a device pressure, the supply device having an outer container with an inner bag therein, the inner bag containing the additive; and actuating a valve of the supply device to allow flow of the additive into the refrigerant circuit, wherein the additive is not pre-mixed with refrigerant. 2. The method of claim i, further comprising evacuating the refrigerant circuit prior to actuating the supply device valve, 3. The method of claim i, further comprising connecting {he supply device to a vacuum line and actuating the valve during operation υf the refrigerant circuit. 4. The method of claim 1. wherein the outer container is a rigid container and wherein the device pressure is generated by pressure applied to the inner bag from a gas contained between the outer container and the Inner bag. 5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gas is selected from the group consisting of air and nitrogen. 6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a flexible hose with first and second ends, wherein the first εrsd is connected to the supply device and the second end is connected to the refrigerant circuit, and wherein the second end has a fitting for selectively coupling with a corresponding fitting of the refrigerant circuit 7. The method of claim I , wherein the additive comprises at least one of fluid and powder. 8, The method of claim I , wherein the additive comprises at least one of compressor lubricant, leak detection dye, leak stop material, and refrigerant performance enhancer. 9. A refrigerant additive supply device comprising: an outer rigid container: an inner Oexibie bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween, the inner flexible bag containing an additive without a refrigerant: a valve in fluid communication with the inner flexible bag: an actuator opcrably coapied to the valve; and a propeflant scaled within the space, wherein the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed. 10, The device of claim 9, further comprising a flexible hose with first and second ends, wherein the first end is connected to the valve and the second end is .selectively conneetable to the refrigerant circuit, and wherein the second end has a fitting for selectively coupling with a corresponding fining of the refrigerant circuit. 1 1. The device of claim 10, wherein the fitting is selected from the group consisting of a quiek-eomiect fitting and a threaded fitting, 12. 'The device of claim 10, wherein the additive comprises at least one of fluid and powder. 13. The device of claim K). wherein the additive comprises al least one of compressor lubricant, leak detection dye, leak stop material, and refrigerant performance enhancer. |
REFRIGERANT CIRCUIT
FIKLD OF THE INVFNTlON
100011 The invention relates to refrigerant systems and in particular providing addili ves to refrigerant circuits.
BACKGROUND OF TME INVEKHON
10002] Refrigerant systems utilize circuits that circulate refrigerant in order to facilitate heat transfer and remove heat from a target area. Various components can be coupled to the refrigerant circuit depending on the type of system being utilized, such as a compressor of an automobile's air conditioning system.
[0003| Refrigeration systems often utilize additive fluids with lhe refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit to maintain the performance of the system at a satisfactory level. Examples of additive fluids placed in refrigerant circuits include compressor lubricant, Ultraviolet or other leak detection dye, leak stop material, performance enhancers, acid πeαtrali/ers, drying agents, and other AX circuit fluids. These additive fluids can be introduced into the system by pre-mbύng the additive fluid with the refrigerant fluid and expelling the mixture into the circuit and by utilizing a mechanical piston to inject the additive fluid irtto the circuit.
St 5 MMARY
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a method of providing additive to a refrigerant circuit is provided. The method can include connecting a supph device to the refrigerant circuit at a portion of the refrigerant circuit where a circuit pressure is less than a device pressure where the supply device has an outer container with an inner bag therein and where the inner bag contains the additive; and actuating a valve of the supply device to allow llow of the additive into the refrigerant circuit, where the additive is not pre-mixed with refrigerant.
[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, a refrigerant additive supply device Ls provided thai can include an outer rigid container; an inner flexible bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween where the inner flexible bag contains an additive without a refrigerant; a valve In communication with the inner flexible bag: an actuator operabiv coupled to the valve; and a propel lant scaled within the space, where the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive fluid into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed,
BRIHF DESCPdPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] A ftdter understanding of the present invention and the features and benefits thereof will be accomplished upon review of the following detailed description together w ith the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. I shows a schematic illustration of a device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention for providing additive fluid to a refrigeration circuit; 1001 J I FlG. 2 shows a process according to one exemplary embodiment of the present Invention for manufacturing the device of FIG. 1 : and
[0012] FlG. 3 shows a method according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention for providing additive fluid to a refrigeration circuit using the device of FlG. 1.
DETΛ !LED OFSCRI PTION
10013 ] The exemplary embodiments described herein provide a method and apparatus for introducing or otherwise adding additive fluids to a refrigerant eireiπt such as in an AfC system of an automobile. The additive fluids can be of various types, including compressor lubricant (such as PAG, POH. PΛO, mineral oil and so forth). U/V or other leak detection dye, leak stop, A/C system performance enhancer or other A/C circuit fluid, and the exemplar}- embodiments are not intended to be limited to the type of additive fluid. The exemplar)- embodiments describe the apparatus and method with respect to an A/C system of an automobile but the present disclosure contemplates use of the exemplary embodiments with other types of refrigerant circuits. The exemplary embodiments can introduce the additive fluid io the refrigeration circuit without the use of refrigerant or an expensive oil injection toot The exemplary embodiments are environmentally friendly, as they do not lUiiixe refrigerant, and they facilitate the transfer of additive fluids to the refrigerant circuit. (00i4 ' { Referring to FlG. I , a supply device 10 can include a container or can 6 having a valve L a bag or inner container 2 with the additive 3 therein, a propeliant 4 and an actuator 5, In one embodiment, the additive 3 can be a fluid, although it can also be a flovvabk powder, a mixture of a power and a fluid, etc. In one embodiment, the propeliant 4 can be nitrogen, although the use of air or other gas is contemplated by the present disclosure. Various sizes and shapes for the supply device 10 and its components can be utilized, [0015] In one embodiment, the supply device 10 can include a supply canister or aerosol with a Bag-On- Valve system within which may have an aerosol vaivc with a welded bag. The Bag-On- Valve system ears have compressed air or other suitable gas in the supply canister or aerosol can or* the outside of the bag which acts as a propeliant on the circuit additive fluid which is inside the bag.
[0016] Referring additionally to PlG. 2, one exemplar}- process for filling the supply- device 10 is shown. For example, the valve 1 cars be preassembled with ths bag 2 and then positioned in the can 6, % another example, the valve 1 can be engaged with a rim or other structure of the can 6, sue Ii as through a crimping process. An under-the-cup gassing process can be utilized to increase the pressure in the can to a desired amount, such as 100 psi, which can be utilized with a pressure control step. Example pressures that may be employed are in the range of 25-140 psi, with a preferred range of 65-1 I O psi. The bag 2 can then be Oiled with the additive 5, such as through the valve 1 or other access port. The filling step can he performed in a number of different ways, including through weighting. Irs one embodiment, the can 6 can be sealed to atmosphere once the crimping process and under-the-eup steps occur so that there is no venting of the space between the bag 2 and the can 6. In another embodiment, fee bag 2 can be a pleated or other reconfϊgurabie container ^such as an accordion-shaped container} that has an Inner volume that can be expanded through reconfiguration of the shape of the bag rather than stretching of the bag walls when the additive fluid is tilled therein. Jn another embodiment, the propeilant can be further pressurized by the filling of the bag 2 with the additive 3. 1 he particular pressure can vary. For example, the pressure can he greater than the operating refrigerant circuit pressure (such m 30-60 psi) to facilitate introduction of the additive 3 into the refrigerant circuit, [00! 7] The bag 2 can be made from various materials which allow the pressure from the propeilant (such as air) in the can 6 to translate into a pressure In the bag. In one embodiment, the bag 2 is made from »3 urn inked plastic. The can 6 can also be made from various materials, including rigid plastic and metals, such as aluminum, [0018] Referring additionally to HG. 3. in one embodiment additive fluids from the supply device 10 can be placed into the refrigerant circuit, such as an automotive air conditioning system, by (? ) connecting the supply device 10 to the refrigerant circuit after it has been emptied, (2) connecting the supply device to the refrigerant circuit after it has been emptied and vacuum pressure created therein, (3} connecting the supply device to a refrigerant circuit suction line during system operation to draw the contents of the supply device into the refrigerant circuit, and/or (4) connecting the supply device ic- the refrigerant circuit and allowing a higher pressure in the suppjy- device to force the additive fluid into the circuit.
[OO 19} In one embodiment, additive fluids from the supply device 10 can be introduced to an air conditioning system with a refrigerant material transfer device which can be connectabie to the air conditioning system. The device 30 can be flexible and of a ss/.e and shape thai allows for connection between the supply device 10 and the refrigerant circuit, such as a suction port thereof. The device 30 can have an actuator 40 (which may be pressed, squeezed, turned and so forth io actuate), a fluid conveying tube 50 and a quick connect fitting 60 lor attachment to srs automotive, or other connector of the A/C system. The quick connect fitting 60 can have a one piece plastic body 70 and a plastic locking sleeve 65 mounted on the body for attaching and detaching the quick connect fitting to the air conditioning connector. The present disclosure describes the luting 60 being made of plastic, but other materials, including raetai, are also contemplated. The plastic body 70 can have Sacking tabs Integrally formed therewith for engaging the air conditioning connector. The locking tabs can be rnoveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking sleeve 65 can retain the locking tab in the locked position. The quick connect fitting 60 cars also have cooperating prongs to allow assembly of its components, restrain disassembly, and/or provide factional forces during relative movement of the sleeve and body, IR one embodiment, the quick connect fitting 60 can include s backflow valve ΪU prevent backfio* of an}' refrigerant into the supply device. In another embodiment, the backflow valve can be positioned elsewhere with rcspecs to the supply device, such as incorporated into valve 1.
[002Of In another embodiment, a charging hose assembly can be provided that includes a quick disconnect fitting (or another type of connection fitting such as a threaded fitting) interconnected by a length of fluid conveying tube to an actuator which may be pressed υr squeezed or turned to release additive fluids from the canister into the air conditioning circuit. [00211 in another embodiment, another charging hose assembly can be provided that includes a quick disconnect lining (or another type of connection fitting such as a threaded fitting) interconnected by a length of fluid conveying tube io a meter or gauge, of appropriate type to measure the amount of refrigerant circuit additive fluids being added to the system, connected to an actuator which may be pressed or squeezed or turned to release additive Oukis from the canister into the air conditioning circuit.
|0022] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not s.o limited. Numerous modifications. changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described in the claims.