Rapid evacuation and charging system, and apparatus and methods relating thereto

Abstract

A system for performing rapid charging and evacuation of systems that contain a fluid, such as cooling systems on refrigeration products. In addition, the invention relates to methods of accomplishing rapid charging and evacuation, as well as to tools that form part of the system and that are used to accomplish the methods.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
 a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop, fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion comprising a detent groove to permit connection with a latching connector; and 
 the valve seat includes a hex head; 
 the valve core includes a valve body and a valve assembly within the valve body, the valve core is removably attached to the valve seat via first threads, and the valve core includes a hex head; and 
 a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including:
 a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seal seat; 
 b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat; and 
 c) a port through which fluid flow can occur. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve core comprises a valve body adapted to be detachably connected to said valve seat, and a valve assembly connected to said valve body. 
     
     
       3. A system according to claim  2  1, wherein said valve assembly is detachably connected to said valve body. 
     
     
       4. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve seat comprises a one-piece body, and said valve core comprises a valve assembly adapted to be detachably connected to said one-piece body. 
     
     
       5. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said latching connector comprises a latching ball connector. 
     
     
       6. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface portion comprises threads. 
     
     
       7. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said valve seat comprises a hex head, and said latching connector comprises a generally hollow body with an open end having a hex that is engageable with said hex head of the valve seat. 
     
     
       8. A system according to  claim 7 , wherein said valve core includes a hex head, and said removal/insertion mechanism includes a drive hex that is engageable with said hex head on said valve core. 
     
     
       9. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said service tool further includes a valve for controlling fluid flow therethrough. 
     
     
       10. A system according to  claim 1 , wherein said removal/insertion mechanism includes a split collet assembly or for gripping said valve core. 
     
     
       11. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
 a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends; 
 a latching connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to releasably connect said body to the valve seat, wherein said latching connector comprises a latching ball connector; and 
 a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end of said body; 
 said open end of said body has a hex. 
 
     
     
       12. A service tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said removal/insertion mechanism comprises a socket that is designed to hold and retain said valve core. 
     
     
       13. A service tool according to  claim 12 , further including a shaft connected to said socket, said shaft is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis and extends through the closed end of said body to the exterior thereof. 
     
     
       14. A service tool according to  claim 12 , further including a valve mounted in said body between the open end and said port, said valve is mounted for movement between a first position which prevents fluid communication between the open end and said port and a second position which permits fluid communication between the open end and said port. 
     
     
       15. A service tool according to  claim 14 , wherein said valve includes a passage therethrough that is sized to permit passage of said socket therethrough when said valve is at the first position. 
     
     
       16. A service tool according to  claim 11 , wherein said open end of said body has a hex. 
     
     
       17. A service tool according to claim  16  11, wherein said removal/insertion mechanism includes a drive hex. 
     
     
       18. A service tool according to  claim 12 , wherein said socket includes a split collet assembly disposed therein. 
     
     
       19. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
 a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends; 
 a connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to connect said body to the valve seat; and 
 a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end or said body, said removal/insertion mechanism including a split collet assembly for gripping the valve core. 
 
     
     
       20. A service tool according to  claim 19 , wherein said open end of said body has a hex. 
     
     
       21. A service tool according to  claim 20 , wherein said removal/insertion mechanism further includes a drive hex. 
     
     
       22. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
 a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends, said open end of said body having a hex; 
 a connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to connect said body to the valve seat; and 
 a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end of said body, and said removal/insertion mechanism further includes a drive hex. 
 
     
     
       23. A method of performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
 attaching a service connection valve to the closed loop fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is removably connected to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion that is adapted to permit connection with a latching connector; 
 latching a service tool to said valve seat using a latching connector, said service tool including a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve scat seat, a valve that is mounted for movement between a first position where flow through said tool is prevented and a second position where flow through said tool is permitted; 
 removing said valve core from said valve seat using said removal/insertion mechanism of said service tool, wherein removing said valve core occurs when said valve is in the first position; and 
 performing a processing operation on the closed loop fluid system through said valve seat, and the processing operation is performed when said valve is in the second position. 
 
     
     
       24. A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said service tool further includes a valve that is mounted for movement between a first position where flow through said tool is prevented and a second position where flow through said tool is permitted, and wherein removing said valve core occurs when said valve is in the first position and the processing operation is performed when said valve is in the second position. 
     
     
       25. A method according to  claim 23 , further including inserting said valve core back into said valve seat using said service tool after charging or evacuating. 
     
     
       26. A coupling for conducting servicing operations through a valve seat, comprising:
 a body having first and second open ends and a flow path extending through said body between the first and second ends; 
 a latching connector associated with the first open end of said body to latch said body to the valve seat; and 
 a valve core associated with the second open end of said body controlling flow through said second open end, said valve core includes a portion thereof that projects beyond the second open end, and the portion of said valve core that projects beyond the second open end includes an exterior surface with a detent groove and threads adjacent the detent groove. 
 
     
     
       27. A coupling according to  claim 26 , wherein said valve core is detachably connected to said body within the second open end thereof, and the portion of said valve core that projects beyond the second open end further includes a hex head on the exterior surface adjacent the detent groove. 
     
     
       28. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
 a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion that is adapted to permit connection with a latching connector; and 
 the valve seat includes a hex head; 
 the valve core includes a valve body and a valve assembly within the valve body, the valve core is removably attached to the valve seat via first threads, and the valve core includes a hex head; and 
 a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including:
 a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seat, said latching connector comprising a latching ball connector; 
 b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat; and 
 c) a port through which fluid flow can occur. 
 
 
     
     
       29. A system for performing processing operations on a closed loop fluid system, comprising:
 a service connection valve adapted to be connected to the closed loop fluid system, the service connection valve including a valve seat adapted to be fixed to the closed loop fluid system and a valve core that is adapted to be removably connectable to said valve seat, and said valve seat includes an exterior surface portion that is adapted to permit connection with a latching connector; and 
 a service tool that is connectable with said valve seat, said service tool including:
 a) a latching connector that is engageable with said exterior surface portion for connecting said service tool to said valve seat; 
 b) a removal/insertion mechanism that is capable of engaging said valve core so as to permit removal of said valve core from, or insertion of said valve core into, said valve seat, said removal/insertion mechanism includes a split collet assembly for gripping said valve core; and 
 c) a port through which fluid flow can occur. 
 
 
     
     
       30. A service tool for connecting to a valve seat and removing/inserting a valve core from/into the valve seat, comprising:
 a generally hollow body having an open end, a closed end, and a port positioned between the open and closed ends; 
 a latching connector connected to said body adjacent the open end thereof to releasably connect said body to the valve seat; and 
 a removal/insertion mechanism disposed within said body, said removal/insertion mechanism being movable within said hollow body along a longitudinal axis of said body in between a first position adjacent the open end and a second position adjacent the closed end of said body, wherein said removal/insertion mechanism comprises a socket that is designed to hold and retain said valve core, and said socket includes a split collet assembly disposed therein. 
 
     
     
       31. A system according to claim 1, wherein the hex head of the valve core abuts against an end of the valve seat. 
     
     
       32. A system according to claim 1, wherein the valve core includes second threads, the hex head of the valve core is between the first threads and the second threads, and the valve core includes a channel between the hex head of the valve core and the second threads.