Claims
- 1. An apparatus for storing refrigerant comprising, holding means for holding refrigerant within the apparatus, and float control means for preventing access to said holding means when a certain predetermined maximum level is contained within said holding means, said float control means comprised of valve means for controlling access to said holding means and switch means located outside of said holding means for detecting when said predetermined maximum level has been attained.
- 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means are in fluid communication with said holding means by first and second conduits.
- 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means are located substantially at said predetermined maximum level.
- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said switch means is comprised of a floating magnet and a magnetically activated switch, said floating magnet being capable of floating on the surface of said refrigerant, whereby the raising of said floating magnet within said switch means operates to activate said magnetically activated switch.
- 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first conduit is attached to the top of said switch means and to a point somewhat below the upper end of said holding means, and said second conduit is attached to the bottom of said switch means and to a point substantially near the middle of said storage means.
- 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means are comprised of one or more elongate tanks oriented with their longitudinal axis extending vertically.
- 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising outlet means for removing refrigerant from said holding means.
- 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said outlet means are comprised of an outlet conduit exiting substantially from the bottom of said holding means and outlet valve means for allowing refrigerant to exit said holding means through said outlet conduit.
- 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frame supporting said apparatus.
- 10. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising one or more wheels attached to said frame whereby said apparatus is easily moved.
- 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said frame and said wheels are constructed so that the full weight of said apparatus may be easily placed upon scales on the ground.
- 12. A method for storing refrigerant comprising:
- drawing refrigerant to be stored from its container;
- discharging the refrigerant into a holding tank; and
- stopping the drawing of refrigerant when the level of refrigerant in said holding tank has reached a predetermined maximum level by use of a float control devise comprised of valve means for controlling access to said holding tank and switch means located outside of said holding tank for detecting when said predetermined maximum level has been attained.
Cross-Reference to Related Application
This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Serial No. 258,166 filed Oct. 14, 1988, for "Refrigerant Reclaim Method and Apparatus." Serial No. 258,166 is, in turn, a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 109,958 filed Oct. 19, 1987 now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
258166 |
Oct 1988 |
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Parent |
109958 |
Oct 1987 |
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