Abstract:
A vessel for use in an air conditioner recharging system contains a desiccant that may limit moisture in a hygroscopic fluid, such as liquid lubricant and/or dye. The vessel may thus limits the amount of moisture introduced as a result of replacing or injecting lubricant. The vessel may contain an amount of pure lubricant for the air-conditioning system, or a lubricant and fluorescent dye to aid in detecting leaks.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to air conditioning systems, and more particularly to an air conditioning lubricant delivery vessel, method and system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The majority of modern transport vehicles include an air conditioning system typically used to cool passenger compartment and operating compartments of the vehicle. Such air conditioning systems typically include a closed fluid circuit, in which refrigerant is urged through condenser coils, and evaporator coils by way of an expansion valve, by a compressor. Commonly, the compressor includes an electric motor. Such systems do not allow refrigerant and other circulating fluid to escape. 
         [0003]    In order to keep the compressor lubricated, a relatively small amount of lubricant is added to the circulating refrigerant. From time to time, the refrigerant and accompanying lubricant needs to be replaced or added. To this end, known air conditioning evacuation and filling systems are known. For example, Robinair, Mastercool, TIF, RTI, Wigam, Ecotechnics, all produce readily available automotive air conditioning charging, recycling, and recovery tools. Typically, these evacuate the contents of an air conditioning system through a service valve, and separate refrigerant from the lubricant. Fresh refrigerant and lubricant may then be added through the service valve. 
         [0004]    Lubricant is typically added from a container interconnected with or forming part of the air conditioning evacuation and filling system. The container is often transparent or translucent, to allow an operator to see the amount of lubricant dispensed and remaining. Such containers are often formed of thermoplastics, or glass. As lubricant is drawn, displaced lubricant is replaced with air. 
         [0005]    Additionally, if an air conditioning system develops a leak, a lubricant containing a concentrated fluorescent dye that assists in locating the leak(s) may be added through the service valve. To pinpoint the leak(s), a technician may scan the air conditioning system for leaks with a UV or near UV lamp that causes the dye to fluoresce to reveal the exact location of the leak. 
         [0006]    Modern air conditioning systems have become particularly susceptible to moisture. This is particularly the case for more powerful and efficient systems. In some air conditioning systems (e.g. high voltage systems), refrigerant including moisture may behave like a conductor, causing a short within the compressor. Likewise, the mere presence of moisture may change the electrical properties of the air conditioning system, including the dielectric nature of any refrigerant or lubricant, and thus the electrical characteristics of the compressor. This, in turn, may impact the remainder of the vehicle&#39;s electrical system. This may cause particularly acute problems for hybrid vehicles. 
         [0007]    To compound problems, new lubricants have been introduced in recent years. These lubricants are suited to new refrigerants. Different air conditioning systems require different lubricants. Examples lubricants include polyalkylene glycol (PAG) and polyolester (POE) polyvinylethlene (PVE), poly-alpha-olefine (PAO) and mineral oil. Many of these new lubricants are synthetic, and are hydrophilic and/or hygroscopic. Keeping moisture out of such lubricants has therefore become a particular concern. This problem is acute as such lubricants are exposed to air, as may for example be the case when lubricant is drawn from a container and displaced by air as it is added to an air conditioning system, as described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a vessel for use in an air conditioner recharging systems is provided. The vessel contains a desiccant that may limit moisture in a hygroscopic fluid, such as liquid lubricant or dye. The vessel may thus limits the amount of moisture introduced as a result of replacing or injecting lubricant. Moreover, the vessel may keep any contained lubricant and any additives such as fluorescent dyes clean and dry. 
         [0009]    The vessel may contain pure lubricant for the air-conditioning system. Alternatively, the vessel may contain a lubricant and fluorescent dye to aid in detecting leaks. The dye may be concentrated or diluted, depending on the type of air conditioning system to be serviced. 
         [0010]    The vessel may have gradient markings or other means of liquid level indication on the container to aid in accurate dispensing volumes. 
         [0011]    The vessel may be prefilled with a determined amount of lubricant and/or dye to allow a factory to fill and seal of said container. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant vessel for connection to an air conditioner recharging system. The vessel comprises: a container; a liquid lubricant received in the container; a desiccant in the container 
         [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adding a lubricant to an air conditioning system. The method comprises: providing a container containing the lubricant and a desiccant; drawing lubricant from said container into a service valve of said air conditioning system. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vessel for connection to an air conditioner recharging system. The vessel comprises: a container; a hygroscopic fluid in the container to be drawn by the air conditioner recharge system; a desiccant in the hygroscopic fluid. 
         [0015]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an air conditioning charging and recovery system. The system comprises a lubricant vessel comprising: a substantially sealed container holding a liquid lubricant and a desiccant; a hose removably interconnected with the vessel to allow liquid lubricant to be drawn from the container. 
         [0016]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispenser assembly for connecting a vessel to an air conditioning system. The dispenser assembly comprises a hose connector for connecting the vessel to a hose of the air conditioner recharging system to provide lubricant from the vessel, and a release valve for interconnection with a bore in communication with a region above a fluid level of a lubricant in the vessel to allow air to displace liquid lubricant drawn from the vessel. 
         [0017]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lubricant vessel for connection to an air conditioner recharging system. The vessel comprises: a container; a liquid lubricant received in the container; a plug having a tube extending downwardly into the container; a desiccant; an air passage in flow communication with a region between a fluid level of the lubricant and a bottom of the plug; a threaded lid; a dispenser assembly for connecting the vessel to the air conditioner recharging system, the dispenser assembly comprising a hose connector for connecting the tube to the air conditioner recharging system, and mountable on the container in place of the threaded lid. 
         [0018]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    In the figures which illustrate by way of example only, embodiments of the present invention, 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lubricant delivery vessel for use in an air conditioning recharging system, including a container and cap, exemplary of an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the vessel of  FIG. 1 , with cap on; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of FIG,  2 , along lines B-B; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the vessel of  FIG. 2 , with cap removed; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the vessel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1 , including an adapter assembly for connection with a fluid exchange apparatus for an air conditioning system; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 1 , with the adapter assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8A  is a side view of a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6 , along lines B-B; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8B  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the adapter assembly of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  illustrates an air conditioner service equipment including the container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a vessel for a lubricant, exemplary of another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11 , along lines A-A; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the vessel of  FIG. 11   
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate a lubricant vessel  10 , including a complementary lid  52 , exemplary of an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, vessel  10  includes an outer bottle-shaped container  12  that receives a defined quantity of lubricant  16  and a desiccant  20 . Container  12  includes a neck  24  having a generally circular top opening  14  (visible in  FIG. 5 ). The outer wall of neck  24  surrounding opening  14  includes an exterior thread  22 . 
         [0036]    Container  12  may be formed using plastic—such as thermoplastic polymer, for example a high density polyethylene. Alternatively, container  12  may be formed from another thermoplastic polymer, such as polyethylene terephthalate, glass, tin, stainless steel, aluminium or other suitable material. As required or desired the interior of container  12  may be coated to reduce the attraction and/or condensation of water on body  12 . An optional coating may be formed using fluoride, polyethylene, or the like. 
         [0037]    Container  12  may have any suitable size. Typical sizes may be between about 30 mL and 1 L. Other suitable sizes may be appreciated by those of ordinary skill. Container  12  may be transparent, semi-transparent or translucent and also have markings on its side (not illustrated) showing the amount of liquid lubricant remaining/dispensed. 
         [0038]    Container  12  is filled with a lubricant  16  used to lubricate an air conditioning system. Example lubricants include oil, polyolester (POE), polyvinylethlene (PVE), poly-alpha-olefine (PAO), and mineral oil. Aswell, PAG and POE are available in several viscosities. For example PAG is available in the following viscosities: 40, 66, 100, 125 and 150. POE is available in a low and high viscosity, which are particularly well suited for use with R-134a air conditioner refrigerants. As will be appreciated, the term liquid as used herein is intended to refer to liquids of differing viscosities, gels, sols, colloidal dispersions in solution, and the like. 
         [0039]    In addition to lubricant  16 , container  12  may optionally contain a fluorescent dye to assist in finding leaks. Example dyes are widely known and used. Known manufactures include Uview, Snap-On Tools and Spectronics. 
         [0040]    A plug assembly  30  includes a hollow tube  34  extending from a generally circular plug  32 , complementary in shape and size to top opening  14 . Tube  34  includes top and bottom openings  36 ,  38 . Plug  32  is installed within the interior of top opening  22  to substantially seal container  12 . To this end, the interior of neck  24  may be threaded to engage plug  32 . Plug  32  may likewise be threaded. Alternatively, plug  32  may be friction fit, glued, or otherwise sealed in opening  14 . Tube  34  extends downwardly from plug assembly  30  into lubricant  16  to allow the lubricant to be drawn therefrom from proximate the bottom of container  12 , through top opening  36  of tube  34 . Bottom opening  38  is positioned proximate, but not in contact with the bottom of container  12 , as best viewed in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0041]    An annular groove  42 , best viewed in  FIG. 4 , extends around top opening  36  of tube  34  in plug  32 . A small passage  40 , sufficient to allow air to pass (e.g. 1 mm or 2 mm diameter), extends from the bottom of groove  42  into the interior of bottle  10  through plug  32 . 
         [0042]    With the exception of opening  36  and passage  40 , plug assembly hermetically seals bottle body  12 . A thin peelable foil  50  is affixed to seal the top of plug  32 , and in particular opening  36  and passage  40 , prior to initial use, and thus completely seals bottle body  12 . A removable cap  52  may be screwed atop foil  50  on thread  22  of neck  24  to further seal vessel  10 , in a re-sealable manner. 
         [0043]    Desiccant  20  is packaged in a pouch. The pouch may be a polyester felt bag. Desiccant  20  (including its pouch) is chosen to be suitable for immersion in liquid lubricants and dyes used in air conditioning systems. Example suitable desiccants include products from Flow-Dry Technology Inc. Such desiccants may be similar to AD-1™ molecular sieve 8×12 beads used in current automotive air conditioning systems, with weight 5 grams. Of course, other weights (eg. 1 to 20 grams) will also work. Desiccants may include silicon oxide, sodium oxide, aluminium oxide, potassium oxide, quartz, silicon dioxide, cristobalite, and the like, in suitable combinations. Other molecular sieve desiccants may be formed using natural or synthetic zeolites. Other desiccants suitable to a particular lubricant  16  will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill. 
         [0044]    In this way, and as will become apparent, desiccant  20  remains in lubricant  16  to absorb moisture in container  12 . Desiccant  20  may float on top of the lubricant  16  or be fully or partially submersed. Conveniently, it may adequately keep lubricant  16  dry and extend the shelf life of the vessel  10  and its contents, keeping it useful for air-conditioning system service. A charge of typical desiccant  20  may be able to remove about 1400 ppm of moisture in a container  12  of 500 mL and 2800 ppm in a container of 250 mL before desiccant  20  becomes saturated. Of course, a greater quantity of desiccant will remove more moisture. 
         [0045]    As should now be appreciated, vessel  10  thus provides a substantially sealed container  12  containing lubricant and a desiccant. 
         [0046]    Vessel  10  may be packaged by blow moulding, or otherwise forming body  12 ; filling it to a desired level with liquid lubricant  16 ; inserting desiccant  20 ; and plugging opening  14  with plug assembly  30 . Thereafter, foil  50  may be heat sealed or glued to the perimeter of opening  22 , formed by neck  24 , using an adhesive. Cap  52  may then be screwed thereon. Vessel  10  is then ready for sale, and use in conjunction with an air conditioning charging, recycling, and recovery system, as further described below. 
         [0047]    In the depicted embodiment, plug  30  is affixed within opening  14  to prevent refilling. To this end, plug  30  may be glued by lubricant  43  as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . As will be appreciated, plug  30  (or a similar plug) could be removable to allow refilling with a suitable lubricant/dye. Alternatively, container  12  with desiccant  20  inserted could be provided in bulk allowing users to add a suitable lubricant  16  and seal container  10 . 
         [0048]    As should appreciated vessels, like vessel  10  can be used to store a variety of lubricants and/or lubricants and dye as described above. An air conditioner repair specialist may possess a number of such vessels. Each vessel may store a different lubricant or a different combination of lubricant and dye for a different air conditioning system. 
         [0049]    Of note, conventional containers formed of thermoplastics, other polymers and materials have been found to allow moisture to seep into their interior despite being substantially sealed. Conveniently, vessel  10  with desiccant  20  allows seeped moisture to be absorbed from lubricant  16 . As well, direct contact of desiccant  20  with lubricant  16  has been found to be more effective than the placement of a desiccant within an air passage or air filled region. 
         [0050]    As illustrated, in  FIG. 1 , in order to use vessel  10  with an air conditioning charging, recycling, and recovery system, cap  52  may be removed by unscrewing. Foil  50  may be peeled back. 
         [0051]    Then, a dispensing adaptor  60  illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9  may be threaded on thread  22  in place of cap  50 . Dispensing adaptor  60  includes an interior thread complementary to exterior thread  22 . Adaptor  60  further includes generally puck shaped body  62 , and a hose connector  64  extending therefrom. Hose connector  64  is mounted on opening  66 , positioned to be in flow communication with opening  36  of tube  34 , and coaxial with tube  34 , when adaptor  60  is installed on container  12  (as best viewed in  FIG. 8A ). Further, an exterior skirt  68  having interior threads extends around the periphery of body  62 , and an interior skirt  70  surrounds an opening  66 . O-rings  44   a  and  44   b  may be formed interior and exterior to skirt  70 , respectively. 
         [0052]    A bore  72  within adaptor assembly  60  connects a further bleed opening  40  with a valve  74  in flow communication with ambient air. Valve  74  may be a check valve, or a one-way valve. Valve  74  may be a conventional gas valve that opens in the presence of about 0.2 to 2 PSI (0.01379 to 0.1379 BAR) The valve may open in a vacuum state of about 0.5-5 inches of vacuum. (0.6665 to 6.665 mbar). In the depicted embodiment, valve  74  extends perpendicular to bore  72 , and the axis of opening  66 , from the side of body  62 . Of course, placement elsewhere is possible. 
         [0053]    In use, cap  52  is removed, as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Foil  50  is peeled, exposing the top of plug  32 . Dispensing adaptor  60  is screwed on thread  22 , and the hose of an air conditioning recharge system is connected to hose connector  64 . An example hose  80  is depicted in  FIG. 8B . 
         [0054]    The hose is thus in flow communication with tube  34 . Interior skirt  72  engages annular groove  42 . Bore  72  may be aligned with opening  40  to provide flow communication between opening  40  and bore  72 . Alternatively, air may flow in from bore  72  to opening  40  through the region annular groove  42  not occupied by interior skirt  72 . As required, an O-ring seal  44   a  and  44   b  may further seal skirt  72  in groove  42  and around tube  34 . 
         [0055]    Hose  80  connected to hose connector  64  typically leads to a T-connector of an air conditioner recharging system  100 , as depicted in  FIG. 10 , where lubricant from vessel  10  is mixed with air conditioning refrigerant. Air conditioner recharging system  100  may be a standard commercially available air conditioner recharging system marketed by Robinair, Bosch, Behr, CPS, RTI, but incorporating vessel  10 , exemplary of an embodiment of the present invention. A vacuum pump may be used to remove unwanted air from the vehicle air-conditioning system. While the vehicle is in a vacuum state a solenoid can meter the amount of lubricant to draw liquid lubricant  16  from hose  80 , thereby creating a vacuum at opening  40  in the region above the liquid level of lubricant. Another embodiment would use an electric pump to draw the fluid from the container into the equipment.  16 . 
         [0056]    As liquid lubricant leaves bottle  12 , the vacuum, in turn, opens valve  74  to allow displaced liquid to be replaced with ambient air. Desiccant  20  remains in the bottle to absorb any moisture in the air and fluid. 
         [0057]    A pump, such as an electric pump, draws liquid lubricant  16  from hose  80 , thereby creating a vacuum at opening  40  in the region above the liquid level of lubricant  16 . As liquid lubricant leaves container  12 , the vacuum, in turn, releases check valve  74  to allow displaced liquid to be replaced with ambient air. Conveniently, desiccant  20  may at least partially float to the top of lubricant  16  to absorb moisture in the air. 
         [0058]    The T-connector is further in flow communication with refrigerant to charge the cooling circuit of an interconnected air conditioner by way of a further hose, interconnected with a service valve of the air conditioner. The T-connector allows the lubricant and/or dye to be inserted into the path of refrigerant flow. This refrigerant will then push the liquid lubricant and/or dye back into the vehicle while it recharges the refrigerant of the vehicle. 
         [0059]    Conveniently, a user of vessel  10  may have numerous such vessels in his/her stock. Each vessel  10  may contain a different type of lubricant  16 , specific to certain air conditioning systems, and may be releasably attached to air conditioning recharging system  100 . After each use, cap  52  may be replaced, again sealing vessel  10 , for storage and future use. 
         [0060]    In an alternate embodiment, vessel  20  may be modified to include a plunger that may be spring loaded. This plunger may exert a slight positive pressure on any contained liquid lubricant/dye. The plunger may automatically dispense the liquid lubricant/dye when a valve forming part of an interconnected air conditioner recharging system is opened to allow flow into the air conditioner recharging system. This modification would eliminate the need for tube  34  and valve  74 . 
         [0061]    In yet a further embodiment, lubricant for use in an air conditioning system may be delivered in a vessel that may not include plug  30 . Such a vessel  10 ′ is depicted in  FIGS. 11 to 13 . Vessel  10 ′ includes a desiccant  20 ′ (like desiccant  20 ) in a container  12 ′ (like container  12 ) for a lubricant and/or dye. A lid  52 ′ may be screwed or otherwise removable affixed on container  12 ′ to cap container  12 ′. Optionally, a peelable seal may cover the opening to container  12 ′ prior to initial use. Vessel  10 ′ may be suitable for use in recharge systems that are not compatible with a dispenser assembly  60 , as described. Alternatively, the vessel  10 ′ may hold lubricant for refilling a refillable vessel like vessel  10 , or lubricant for use in a single dose or multiple doses. 
         [0062]    Of course, the above described embodiments are intended to be illustrative only and in no way limiting. The described embodiments of carrying out the invention are susceptible to many modifications of form, arrangement of parts, details and order of operation. The invention, rather, is intended to encompass all such modification within its scope, as defined by the claims.