Claims
- 1. A service device comprising:
a body having a first end engagable with a service port, a second end engagable with a service unit, and an inner surface defining an interior chamber; a valve opening member disposed in the interior chamber, the valve opening member including a plug engaging end proximate to the first end, the plug engaging end being capable of changing position relative to the first end; and a service port opening member configured to rotate the valve opening member relative to the body, the first end and the second end being in fluid communication when a service port is engaged with the first end and the service port is opened.
- 2. The service device of claim 1, further comprising a spring within the body biasing the valve opening member toward the first end.
- 3. The service device of claim 1, further comprising a sealing gasket between the body and the first end, the first end being capable of forming a seal with the port when the first end is engaged with the service port.
- 4. The service device of claim 1, wherein the plug engaging end has a cross section having a substantially hexagonal shape.
- 5. The service device of claim 1, wherein the body is a portion of a coupling device.
- 6. The service device of claim 1, wherein the first end is engagable with a refrigerant port.
- 7. The service device of claim 1, further comprising a valve member within the body having a first position oriented closer to the first end relative to a second position, the valve member moving from the first position to the second position when the service port is engaged with the first end of the body and the service port is opened.
- 8. The service device of claim 7 wherein the first end is in fluid communication with the second end when the valve member is in the second position.
- 9. The service device of claim 7, wherein the valve member is slideably disposed on a surface of the service port opening member.
- 10. A coupling member comprising:
a body having a first end engagable with a service port, a second end engagable with a service unit, and an inner surface defining an interior chamber; a valve opening member disposed in the interior chamber; a valve member within the body having a first position oriented closer to the first end relative to a second position; and a service port opening member configured to rotate the valve opening member relative to the body, the valve member moving from the first position to the second position and the first end and second end being in fluid communication when the service port is engaged with the first end of the body and the service port is opened.
- 11. The coupling member of claim 10, wherein the valve opening member including a plug engaging end proximate to the first end, the plug engaging end being capable of changing position relative to the first end.
- 12. The coupling member of claim 11, further comprising a spring within the body biasing the valve opening member toward the first end.
- 13. The coupling member of claim 10, further comprising a sealing gasket between the body and the first end, the first end being capable of forming a seal with the port when the first end is engaged with the service port.
- 14. The coupling member of claim 10, wherein the plug engaging end has a cross section having a substantially hexagonal shape.
- 15. The coupling member of claim 10, wherein the first end is engagable with a refrigerant port.
- 16. The coupling member of claim 10, wherein the valve member is slideably disposed on a surface of the service port opening member.
- 17. An air conditioning or refrigeration service device comprising:
a service unit including a coupling member comprising:
a body having a first end engagable with a service port, a second end engagable with a service unit, and an inner surface defining an interior chamber; a valve opening member disposed in the interior chamber; a valve member within the body having a first position oriented closer to the first end relative to a second position; and a service port opening member configured to rotate the valve opening member relative to the body, the valve member moving from the first position to the second position and the first end and second end being in fluid communication when the service port is engaged with the first end of the body and the service port is opened.
- 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the valve opening member including a plug engaging end proximate to the first end, the plug engaging end being capable of changing position relative to the first end.
- 19. The device of claim 17, further comprising a spring within the body biasing the valve opening member toward the first end.
- 20. The device of claim 17, further comprising a sealing gasket between the body and the first end, the first end being capable of forming a seal with the port when the first end is engaged with the service port.
- 21. The device of claim 17, wherein the plug engaging end has a cross section having a substantially hexagonal shape.
- 22. The device of claim 17, wherein the first end is engagable with a refrigerant port.
- 23. The device of claim 17, wherein the valve member is slideably disposed on a surface of the service port opening member.
- 24. A method of opening a service port comprising:
adjusting a position of a valve opening member relative to a first end of a service port connector, the valve opening member including a plug engaging end proximate to the first end, the service port connector being attached to a service unit or being capable of attaching to a service unit and the first end being engagable with the service port; and opening a valve within the service port, wherein the valve opening member rotates relative to the body to open the valve.
- 25. The method of claim 24, wherein adjusting takes place upon attaching the service port connector to the service port.
- 26. The method of claim 24, further comprising sealing the connector to the port prior to opening the valve.
- 27. The method of claim 26, wherein opening the valve actuates a valve member within the connector to bring a first end of the connector and a second end of the connector into fluid communication.
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a utility filing of the provisional application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/343,181 filed on Dec. 31, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60343181 |
Dec 2001 |
US |