EP0359449A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infuser
Assignee: Spectronics Corp
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Filing: 1989-09-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for infusing a material into an operating closed loop system. A sealed reservoir (18), for holding a predetermined amount of material, is provided having an inlet (14) and an outlet (12). A sealable material fill inlet (34) is provided to admit the desired amount of material into the sealed reservoir (18). An externally available high pressure system carrier fluid is allowed to enter the reservoir (18) through the inlet (14) via a regulating valve (44) to form a mixture with the held material. Thereafter a mist of the high pressure mixture is infused into the closed loop system through a charging conduit (60). The charging conduit (60) contains a series of valves (52) and quick-release fittings (56 and 62) to insure that the pressurized system carrier fluid and material mixture does not inadvertently escape into the atmosphere or onto the external equipment parts of the closed loop system. In particular, the apparatus and method allow large operating commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems to be easily and accurately checked for leaks using a predetermined amount of concentrated leak detection fluorescent dye.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth C. Leighley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for infusing material into an operating pressurized closed loop system characterized by: (a) a sealed reservoir having inlet means and outlet means for holding a predetermined amount of material; (b) a sealable material fill means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for admitting material into the sealed reservoir while substantially maintaining the seal; (c) means for regulating the inflow of an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the reservoir through the inlet means for allowing system carrier fluid to contact material within the reservoir and form a high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture; and (d) means for connecting the outlet means of the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system for allowing the flow of high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture from the interior of the sealed reservoir into the closed loop system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for infusing material into an operating pressurized closed loop system characterized by: (a) a sealed reservoir having inlet means and outlet means for holding a predetermined amount of material; (b) a sealable material fill means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for admitting material into the sealed reservoir while substantially maintaining the seal; (c) means for regulating the inflow of an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the reservoir through the inlet means for allowing system carrier fluid to contact material within the reservoir and form a high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture; and (d) means for connecting the outlet means of the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system for allowing the flow of high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture from the interior of the sealed reservoir into the closed loop system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closed loop system is an air conditioning system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closed loop system is a refrigeration system.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the material is a fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture capable of being detected in the presence of ultraviolet light.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the system carrier fluid is a man-made chlorofluorocarbon or fluorocarbon refrigerant.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for infusing material into an operating pressurized closed loop system characterized by: (a) a sealed reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of material, the reservoir having an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap; (b) a sealable material fill means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for admitting material into the sealed reservoir while substantially maintaining the seal; (c) a sealable vent means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for allowing the interior of the reservoir to be simultaneously purged as material is admitted through the material fill means while substantially maintaining the seal; (d) means for regulating the inflow of an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir through the inlet end cap for allowing system carrier fluid to contact material within the interior of the sealed reservoir and form a high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture; and (e) means for connecting the outlet end cap of the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system for allowing the outflow of high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture from the interior of the sealed reservoir into the closed loop system.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for infusing material into an operating pressurized closed loop system characterized by: (a) a sealed reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of material, the reservoir having an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap; (b) a sealable material fill means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for admitting material into the sealed reservoir while substantially maintaining the seal; (c) a sealable vent means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for allowing the interior of the reservoir to be simultaneously purged as material is admitted through the material fill means while substantially maintaining the seal; (d) means for regulating the inflow of an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir through the inlet end cap for allowing system carrier fluid to contact material within the interior of the sealed reservoir and form a high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture; and (e) means for connecting the outlet end cap of the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system for allowing the outflow of high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture from the interior of the sealed reservoir into the closed loop system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reservoir is further characterized by means for permitting visual observation of the interior of the reservoir.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further characterized by a shield means operatively juxtaposed with the means for permitting visual observation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for infusing material into an operating pressurized closed loop system characterized by: (a) a sealed cylindrical reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of material, the reservoir having an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap; (b) means for shielding the cylindrical reservoir; (c) a sealable material fill means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for admitting material into the sealed reservoir while substantially maintaining the seal; (d) a sealable vent means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for allowing the interior of the reservoir to be simultaneously purged as material is admitted through the material fill means while substantially maintaining the seal; (e) means for regulating the inflow of an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir through the inlet end cap for allowing system carrier fluid to contact material within the interior of the sealed reservoir and form a high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture; and (f) means for connecting the outlet end cap of the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system for allowing the outflow of high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture from the interior of the sealed reservoir into the closed loop system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
204 words
An apparatus for infusing material into an operating pressurized closed loop system characterized by: (a) a sealed cylindrical reservoir for holding a predetermined amount of material, the reservoir having an inlet end cap and an outlet end cap; (b) means for shielding the cylindrical reservoir; (c) a sealable material fill means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for admitting material into the sealed reservoir while substantially maintaining the seal; (d) a sealable vent means in communication with the interior of the sealed reservoir for allowing the interior of the reservoir to be simultaneously purged as material is admitted through the material fill means while substantially maintaining the seal; (e) means for regulating the inflow of an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir through the inlet end cap for allowing system carrier fluid to contact material within the interior of the sealed reservoir and form a high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture; and (f) means for connecting the outlet end cap of the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system for allowing the outflow of high pressure system carrier fluid and material mixture from the interior of the sealed reservoir into the closed loop system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sealed cylindrical reservoir is at least partially transparent.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the reservoir is secured between the inlet end cap and the outlet end cap by securing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the securing means is a plurality of connecting bolts.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claims 9-12, further characterized by resilient sealing means for sealing the juncture between the inlet end cap and the reservoir and the outlet end cap and the reservoir.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claims 9-13, wherein the means for shielding the cylindrical reservoir is a substantially transparent cylindrical reservoir safety shield which substantially surrounds the sealed reservoir.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claims 9-14, wherein the means for regulating the inflow of externally available high pressure system carrier fluid is a needle valve.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claims 9-15, wherein the means for connecting the outlet end cap to the closed loop system is a flexible conduit.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for infusing a material into an operating pressurized closed loop fluid system characterized by the steps of: (a) selecting an amount and concentration of material to be infused into a closed loop system based upon the charge of fluid in the system; (b) filling a sealed reservoir with the selected amount and concentration of material; (c) supplying an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir to form a high pressure mixture of material and system carrier fluid; (d) connecting the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system; and (e) infusing the closed loop system with the high pressure mixture of material and system carrier fluid from the sealed reservoir.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for infusing a material into an operating pressurized closed loop fluid system characterized by the steps of: (a) selecting an amount and concentration of material to be infused into a closed loop system based upon the charge of fluid in the system; (b) filling a sealed reservoir with the selected amount and concentration of material; (c) supplying an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir to form a high pressure mixture of material and system carrier fluid; (d) connecting the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system; and (e) infusing the closed loop system with the high pressure mixture of material and system carrier fluid from the sealed reservoir.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of filling the sealed reservoir is further characterized by filling the reservoir without substantially breaking the seal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to claims 17 or 18, which is further characterized by the step of simultaneously purging the reservoir as the reservoir is being filled with material.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
28 words
A method according to claims 17-19, which is further characterized by the step of regulating the inflow of high pressure system carrier fluid being supplied into the reservoir.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for infusing a fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture into an operating pressurized closed loop fluid system characterized by the steps of: (a) selecting an amount and concentration of fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture to be infused into a closed loop system based upon the charge of fluid in the system; (b) filling a sealed reservoir with the selected amount and concentration of fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture; (c) supplying an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir to form a high pressure mixture of the fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture with the system carrier fluid; (d) connecting the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system; and (e) infusing the closed loop system with the high pressure mixture from the sealed reservoir.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for infusing a fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture into an operating pressurized closed loop fluid system characterized by the steps of: (a) selecting an amount and concentration of fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture to be infused into a closed loop system based upon the charge of fluid in the system; (b) filling a sealed reservoir with the selected amount and concentration of fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture; (c) supplying an externally available high pressure system carrier fluid into the sealed reservoir to form a high pressure mixture of the fluorescent dye and refrigeration oil mixture with the system carrier fluid; (d) connecting the sealed reservoir to the closed loop system; and (e) infusing the closed loop system with the high pressure mixture from the sealed reservoir.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
34 words
A method according to claims 17-21, which is further characterized by illuminating the infused closed loop system with ultraviolet light to permit visual observation of the system for leaks revealed by escaping fluorescent dye.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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