Patent ID: 8118186
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A torque-limiting cap for an air conditioning service port, comprising: an inner body assembly having a retaining body configured for threadable engagement on the service port, a sealing surface generally normal to the retaining body, and an inner body that extends generally perpendicularly to the sealing surface and generally outwardly annularly to the retaining body, the inner body has a first portion having a first diameter, a second portion with a second diameter larger than the first diameter, the first and second portions are generally parallel to the retaining body, disposed between the first portion and the second portion is a shoulder, and disposed at an interior surface of the first portion facing the retaining body is a pocket that houses an annular O-ring seal for sealing the service port; an outer body assembly disposed outwardly annularly around the inner body and disposed outwardly annularly around the retaining body, the outer body assembly having a first ratchet portion configured for engagement with a second ratchet portion disposed on the inner body; wherein torquing of the outer body assembly transmits torque to the inner body assembly from the first ratchet portion to the second ratchet portion to threadably engage the retaining body onto the service port, and wherein at a preset amount of torque resistance, torquing of the outer body assembly causes the first ratchet portion to slip with respect to the second ratchet portion such that no additional torque is transmitted to the inner body assembly.