Patent Grant
11112153
Evacuation is the process of degassing and dehydration of a sealed vessel or system. In the refrigeration and air conditioning industries, evacuation can be an important process as air and/or moisture contaminate the refrigeration system causing chemical breakdown of refrigerant and oil in the refrigeration system. In order to perform the evacuation, an evacuation hose is attached to the sealed vessel or system via a coupling attached to the hose. In order to prevent the hose and coupling from separating during evacuation, the coupling is permanently attached to the hose, such as by crimping the coupling to the hose.
The coupling is dimensioned based on dimensions of an attachment point of the refrigeration system. However, the dimensions of the system attachment point are not uniform across the industry and different systems can have different system attachment point dimensions. Therefore, a coupling dimensioned for one refrigeration system may not be suitable for another refrigeration system. Because the coupling is permanently attached to the evacuation hose, the number of refrigeration systems a hose can be attached to is limited.
The following is a brief summary of subject matter that is described in greater detail herein. This summary is not intended to be limiting as to the scope of the claims.
Disclosed herein are various technologies pertaining to an evacuation hose with a coupling configured for attachment to a refrigeration system. The coupling comprises a first connector, a second connector, and a seal that is positioned between the first connector and the second connector. The first connector can include a first face defining a longitudinally extending indentation and the second connector can include a second face with a protrusion that is positionable within the indentation. The seal is positionable on the protrusion to be in sealing engagement with the first connector and the second connector when the first connector is removably attached to the second connector.
The second connector is attached to the evacuation hose and the first connector includes an attachment portion that is dimensioned for attachment to a first refrigeration system. The first connector and the seal can be removably attached to the second connector and the attached evacuation hose to evacuate the first refrigeration system. A user can use the same second connector and attached evacuation hose to evacuate a second refrigeration system, which has different dimensions than the first refrigeration system, by removing the first connector and replacing it with a third connector with an attachment portion that is dimensioned for attachment to the second refrigeration system. During this swap, the user may additionally remove the seal and replace it with a second seal. Thus, by swapping part of the coupling (e.g., the first connector) the same evacuation hose can be used for evacuation of different dimensioned refrigeration systems.
The coupling is further configured to restrict fluid flow between the evacuation hose and a refrigeration system. To that end, the first connector can include a first fluid passageway and the second connector can include a second fluid passageway that are aligned when the first connector is removably attached to the second connector. The protrusion on the second connector and the indentation of the first connector can be configured to cooperate to assist with aligning the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway during attachment. The third connector can include an indentation like the first connector such that a third fluid passageway in the third connector can be aligned with the second fluid passageway when the third connector is attached to the second connector.
The above summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Various technologies pertaining to connecting an evacuation hose to a refrigeration system are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details.
In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as, top, bottom, left, right, up, down, upper, lower, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the features described herein in any manner. It is to be understood that embodiments presented herein are by way of example and not by way of limitation. The intent of the following detailed description, although discussing exemplary embodiments, is to be construed to cover all modifications, alternatives, and equivalents of the embodiments as may fall within the spirit and scope of the features described herein.
Moreover, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by any of the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form. Additionally, as used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean serving as an illustration or example of something and is not intended to indicate a preference.
Disclosed is an apparatus for connecting an evacuation hose to a system for evacuation of the system. The disclosed apparatus can include at least two connectors that can be removably connected to one another. A first connector of the disclosed apparatus includes a system attachment portion that can be connected to a system attachment point of an HVAC and/or refrigeration system. A second connector of the disclosed apparatus can be permanently attached to an end of the evacuation hose. The disclosed apparatus allows a user to use the same evacuation hose for different system attachment points by changing the first connector.
Turning to
As illustrated in
Similar to the first connector 102, the second connector 104 can comprise a longitudinally extending connector surrounding a second fluid passageway. The second fluid passageway can include an inlet and an opposing outlet and can be configured to allow flow therethrough. The second connector 104 is configured to connect to the evacuation hose 120 such that the outlet of the second fluid passageway is in fluid communication with the evacuation hose 120.
When the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 are in sealing engagement with the seal 106, the outlet of the first fluid passageway is in (sealed) fluid communication with the inlet of the second fluid passageway to restrict fluid flow therethrough. This fluid communication results in fluid connection of the system to the evacuation hose 120. In order to align the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway, one connector can include a male section and the other connector can include a corresponding female section configured to receive the male section, as will described in detail below.
The seal 106 is configured to create a sealing engagement with the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 when the apparatus 100 is assembled. The seal 106 can comprise an O-ring and/or gasket and may be made of any suitable polymeric material, such as thermoplastic or elastomer. For instance, the seal 106 can be made of flexible and/or elastomeric material for ease of use and good sealing.
As shown in
A first portion including a first end face of the first connector 102 forms a system attachment portion 108 configured for connection to the system. The system attachment portion 108 can take any suitable shape or size for connection to the system. For instance, the system attachment portion 108 can include interior or exterior threading, a pneumatic mechanism, a push-push arrangement, and/or the like. The system attachment portion 108 can further include contouring on its outer surface to assist the user in gripping the system attachment portion 108 while connecting to the system. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the system attachment portion 108 includes knurled surfaces 110 on the outer surface. In another instance, the system attachment portion 108 includes indentation(s) that the user can place their finger(s) in during connection.
The first connector 102 further includes a first connector sealing portion 112 configured to interact with the seal 106 to form a sealing engagement therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connector sealing portion 112 comprises a flange opposite the system attachment portion 108. The first connector sealing portion 112 can be formed at any suitable position on the first connector 102.
Similar to the illustrated first connector 102, the connector of the illustrated second connector 104 can be generally cylindrical with sections of varying outer diameters. While the second connector 104 is described as having the shape illustrated in
A first portion including a first end face of the second connector 104 forms a hose attachment portion 114 configured for attachment to the end of the evacuation hose 120. The hose attachment portion 114 can take any suitable shape or size for attachment to the end of the evacuation hose 120. For instance, the hose attachment portion 114 can be hollow and an interior diameter of the hose attachment portion 114 is sized to receive and circumscribe the evacuation hose 120. The hose attachment portion 114 can be attached permanently to the end of the evacuation hose 120 or can be removably attached. In the illustrated embodiment, the hose attachment portion 114 is permanently attached to the end of the evacuation hose 120 via crimping.
In another embodiment, the hose attachment portion 114 can be configured to sandwich an end of the evacuation hose 120 between a first portion and a second portion. More specifically, the first portion can have an interior diameter sized to receive and circumscribe the evacuation hose 120 and the second portion can have an exterior diameter sized for insertion into an interior of the evacuation hose 120 as the first portion receives the evacuation hose 120. An exterior surface of the second portion and/or an interior surface of the first portion can include contouring configured to engage a surface of the evacuation hose 120 to retain the evacuation hose 120 in a desired position within the hose attachment portion 114 prior to permanent attachment. For instance, the second portion can include a hose barb with one or more barb-like rings that engage the interior surface of the evacuation hose 120. The second portion can further be hollow to allow fluid flow therethrough. The first portion and the second portion can extend along the evacuation hose 120 for the same distance or the distance can vary.
The second connector 104 further includes a second connector sealing portion 116 configured to interact with the seal 106 to form a sealing engagement therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connector sealing portion 116 comprises a flange opposite the hose attachment portion 114. The second connector sealing portion 116 can be formed at any suitable position on the second connector 104.
Turning now to
As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first fluid passageway has a circular cross-section. The first fluid passageway can take any shape consistent with allowing flow therethrough. For example, the cross-section of the first fluid passageway can be oval, square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, varying, or the like.
The female section 200 can be configured to receive and retain at least a portion of the male projecting portion 300 when the first connector 102, the second connector 104, and the seal 106 are in sealing engagement. As illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the female section 200 comprises a single, contiguous indentation circumscribing the outlet 204 of the first fluid passageway. In another embodiment, the female section 200 comprises a plurality of separate indentations arrayed around the outlet 204 of the first fluid passageway. The female section 200 can comprise any number and/or arrangement of indentations suitable for receiving and retaining the male projecting portion 300. For instance, the number and arrangement of indentations can be based on the shape of the male projecting portion 300.
The first connector sealing face 202 can be configured to engage a portion of the seal 106 to form the sealing engagement. In the illustrated embodiment, the first connector sealing face 202 is arranged on the first connector sealing portion 112 to circumscribe the female section 200. The first connector sealing face 202 can be planar, as illustrated, or can include indentations and/or protrusions as so desired, so long as the first portion 102 can be in sealing engagement with the second portion 104.
Turning now to
As illustrated, the male projecting portion 300 can be generally cylindrical with sections of varying diameters. While the male projecting portion 300 is described as having the shape illustrated in
An outer surface of the male projecting portion 300 can include a first segment 304 with a first diameter and an adjacent second segment 306 with a second diameter. The first diameter and the second diameter can be different or can be equal.
The first segment 304 of the male projecting portion 300 can be configured to fit within the female section 200 when the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 are in sealing engagement with the seal 106. This interaction of the first segment 304 and the female section 200 can align a center of the outlet 204 of the first fluid passageway with a center of the inlet of the second fluid passageway. Additionally, because of this interaction, there can be a correlation between the shape and/or dimensions of the first segment 304 and the shape and/or dimensions of the female section 200.
The second segment 306 of the male projecting portion 300 can be configured to retain the seal 106 in a sealing position location on the male projecting portion 300 while the first segment 304 is inserted into the female section 200 of the first connector 102. The sealing position location is the position which will result in the seal 106 being in sealing engagement with both the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 when the first segment 304 of the male projecting portion 300 is inserted into the female section 200 and the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway are in fluid communication creating the third fluid passageway. Accordingly, the sealing position location on the male projecting portion 300 can change based on the geometry of at least one of the first connector 102, the second connector 104, or the seal 106. In the embodiment illustrated in
The second segment 306 can take any suitable shape and/or size to retain the seal 106. An outer surface of the second segment 306, or at least a portion thereof, can be further contoured to form a seat for the seal 106. For instance, in the embodiment illustrated in
The second connector sealing face 308 can be configured to engage a portion of the seal 106 to form the sealing engagement. In the illustrated embodiment, the second connector sealing face 308 is arranged on the second connector sealing portion 116 to circumscribe the male projecting portion 300. The second connector sealing face 308 can be planar, as illustrated, or can include indentations and/or protrusions as so desired.
Turning now to
The apparatus 100 can be further configured to self-seal when a vacuum is formed during the evacuation process. The pressure from the vacuum retains the first connector 102 and the second connector 104 in sealing engagement with the seal 106. As illustrated in
For example, illustrated in
The hinge clamp 500 can further include tightening means 504 for joining the two arms 502 of the hinge clamp 500 around the apparatus 100. For instance, as illustrated, the tightening means 504 comprise a threaded screw and a wing nut that a user can tighten along the threaded screw to join the two arms 502. Other tightening means 504 can be employed, such as pneumatic, electric, and/or other mechanical systems.
In another embodiment, illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the snap clamp 600 is open, i.e. the two pieces 602 and 604 are not fully interlocked. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 606 of the first piece 602 is retained within the notch 612 of the second piece 604 and the protrusion 610 of the second piece 604 is outside the notch 608 of the first piece 602. A user can then snap the snap clamp 600 closed by pressing the protrusion 610 of the second piece 604 into the notch 608 of the first piece 602.
Turning now to
As illustrated, the first connector 700 in
The first connector 700 illustrated in
Additionally, the same clamp can be employed for a plurality of different first connectors (e.g., first connector 700 and first connector 702) or the clamp can vary. For instance,
As regards the evacuation hose 120, the apparatus 100 is configured to attach to any suitable hose 120 that can be employed for evacuation of the system. For instance, the hose 120 can comprise spring-reinforced tubing. The tubing can be made of any suitable material, such as vinyl or low-adsorption material. The interior diameter of the hose 120 can be any suitable dimension, for instance ¼″, ¾″, or 2″.
Additionally, an interior diameter of the evacuation hose 120 and the diameter of the first fluid passageway and/or second fluid passageway can be similar or can vary. For example, the evacuation hose 120 can have a ¾″ interior diameter while the first fluid passageway and the second fluid passageway have ½″ diameters. Additionally, the diameter of the first fluid passageway and the diameter of the second fluid passageway need not be equal and can vary.
The above described first connector and second connector can be made of any suitable material. Additionally, the entire connector can be made of a singular material type or different portions can be made of different material. For instance, in one embodiment the entire second connector is made of stainless steel, which can provide rigidity. In another embodiment, the male portion of the second connector is made of stainless steel while the remaining portions of the second connector are made of different material (e.g., aluminum, brass, non-stainless steel, etc.).
What has been described above includes examples of one or more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable modification and alteration of the above devices or methodologies for purposes of describing the aforementioned aspects, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5005375 | Manz | Apr 1991 | A |
| 5513882 | Lewis | May 1996 | A |
| 7014225 | Goodsel | Mar 2006 | B1 |
| 9127795 | Chan | Sep 2015 | B2 |
| 20170321835 | Kerg | Nov 2017 | A1 |
