Patent ID: 8302411
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: F16L,F25B

Abstract:
1. A positive shutoff device for a connection point of a refrigeration system, the refrigeration system including a piping network configured to circulate a refrigerant to at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator, and the connection point includes a manually-actuatable valve defining a passageway to permit at least one of charging and pressure-testing of the refrigeration system, the positive shutoff device comprising: a first fitting engagable with the connection point in a substantially leak-free manner, the first fitting having an inner surface with a fixed projection extending therefrom to define a raised actuator segment configured to actuate the manually-actuatable valve and maintain the manually-actuatable valve in an open position when the first fitting engages the connection point; and maintain the manually-actuatable valve in an open position; and a shutoff valve having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first fitting in a substantially leak-free manner and the second end coupled to a second fitting in a substantially leak-free manner, the shutoff valve operable for use in a closed position to extend a pressure boundary for the refrigeration system from the manually-actuatable valve to the shutoff valve when the first fitting is engaged with the connection point, thereby defining a first leakage barrier to prevent leakage of the refrigerant from the refrigeration system through the open manually-actuatable valve, and an open position to permit flow therethrough; wherein the second fitting comprises a hollow passage having a Schrader valve core therein, the Schrader valve core including a valve stem having a closed position defining a second leakage barrier to prevent leakage of the refrigerant from the refrigeration system if the shutoff valve is opened, the valve stem configured to be actuated to an open position when one of a charging equipment or a test equipment are connected to the second fitting; so that the refrigeration system may be charged or pressure tested by connecting one of the charging equipment or the test equipment to the second fitting and positioning the shutoff valve in the open position, and the connection point may be positively shut off with the manually-actuatable valve in the open position to prevent leakage of refrigerant through the connection point by positioning the shutoff valve in the closed position and removing the charging equipment or the test equipment.