Patent Publication Number: US-2005126200-A1

Title: Single valve manifold

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/527,241 filed Dec. 5, 2003, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates generally to a valve assembly and more specifically to a valve assembly that may be used in a refrigerant recovery and reclaim machine.  
      Refrigerant recovery and reclaim machines and their use are known in the art. These machines generally include a plurality of valves and hose connections which must be operated in a predetermined sequence in order to achieve proper operation of the machine. The operation of valves and the rearrangement of hose connections may be subject to error when the predetermined procedure is not followed exactly. Errors may cause problems ranging from inefficient use of time to the undesirable release of refrigerant into the atmosphere.  
      There remains a need for a device which simplifies the process of recovering refrigerant and is less prone to operator error than existing recovery and reclaim machines.  
      All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
      Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.  
      A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In one embodiment, a manifold for a refrigerant handling apparatus may comprise an outer casing having a plurality of fluid inlet orifices and a plurality of fluid outlet orifices. At least one conduit external to the outer casing may be arranged to provide a fluid passage between at least one of said fluid inlet orifices and at least one of said fluid outlet orifices. At least one valve may be rotatably disposed within the outer casing and may include at least one traverse port for fluid flow communication with at least one of said fluid outlet orifices following rotation of the valve relative to the outer casing.  
      In another embodiment, a manifold for a refrigerant handling apparatus may comprise an outer casing having a plurality of fluid inlet orifices, a plurality of fluid outlet orifices, and at least one external conduit in fluid flow communication between at least one of said fluid inlet orifices and at least one of said fluid outlet orifices. A plurality of valves may be rotatably disposed within the outer casing. Each of the valves may comprise a plurality of traverse ports. Each of the traverse ports for each valve may be constructed and arranged to be in fluid flow communication to another of said traverse ports. At least one of said traverse ports for each of the valves may be constructed and arranged for fluid flow communication with at least one of the fluid inlet orifices. At least one of the traverse ports for each of the valves may be constructed and arranged for fluid flow communication with at least one of the fluid outlet orifices. A spindle may be connected to each of the valves and may extend from one of the valves through the outer casing. An actuator may be engaged to the spindle and arranged for rotation of the spindle and the plurality of valves relative to the outer casing. At least one of the traverse ports may be positioned proximate to at least one of the fluid inlet orifices.  
      In another embodiment, a valve assembly may comprise a casing having a first portion and a second portion, a first valve member and a second valve member. The first portion of the casing may define a first internal cavity and may have a first aperture, a second aperture and a third aperture. The second portion of the casing may define a second internal cavity and may have a fourth aperture, a fifth aperture, a sixth aperture and a seventh aperture. The first valve member may be oriented within the first internal cavity and may define a first valve fluid passageway, and the second valve member may be oriented within the second internal cavity and may define a second valve fluid passageway. A rotatable spindle may be coupled to the first valve member and the second valve member and may be arranged to rotate the first valve member and the second valve member. The rotatable spindle may include at least two stop positions. When the rotatable spindle is in a first stop position, the first valve fluid passageway may be oriented to allow fluid flow between the first aperture and the second aperture, and the second valve fluid passageway may be oriented to allow fluid flow between the fourth aperture and the fifth aperture.  
      These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawings.  
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly.  
       FIG. 2  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly.  
       FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly.  
       FIG. 4  shows a recovery and reclaim device schematic using an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly.  
       FIG. 5  shows a recovery and reclaim device schematic using an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly during a recovery operation.  
       FIG. 6  shows a recovery and reclaim device schematic using an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly during a stop/prepurge operation.  
       FIG. 7  shows a recovery and reclaim device schematic using an embodiment of a valve manifold assembly during a purge operation.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.  
      For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an inventive valve manifold assembly  10  is depicted, which may comprise an outer casing  20 , a plurality of fittings  12 , a first valve member  30 , a second valve member  40  and a rod or spindle  18 .  
      The outer casing  20  may be made from any suitable material, such as brass, bronze, steel, aluminum, plastics, resin and/or any other desired material, and preferably defines a first internal cavity  22  (see  FIG. 3 ) and a second internal cavity  24 . A plurality of apertures  28  may extend through the various wall portions of the outer casing  20 . Each aperture  28  may be constructed and arranged to receive and engage a fitting  12 . For example, a fitting  12  may be machined to include threadings which may engage a threaded aperture  28 .  
      The first valve member  30  and the second valve member  40  may each be fixed to the spindle  18  and thus may be arranged to rotate with the spindle  18 . The first valve member  30  may be oriented within the first internal cavity  22  of the outer casing  20 , and the second valve member  40  may be oriented within the second internal cavity  24  of the outer casing  20 .  
      Each fitting  12  may include a fluid passageway  14  extending from one end of the fitting  12  to the other. Each fitting  12  may be arranged to abut a valve member  30 ,  40  and may thus include a seat or sealing member  16  at one end. A sealing member  16  may comprise any suitable shape and be made of any suitable material capable of sealing against a valve member  30 ,  40 . For example, a sealing member  16  may comprise a nylon ring. In embodiments where a valve member  30 ,  40  comprises a ball or includes a generally spherical shape, a portion of the sealing member  16  may include a spheroidal shape arranged to properly engage the outer surface of the ball. Each fitting  12 , at the side opposite the sealing member  16 , may be arranged to engage a bushing, T-fitting, hose or other fluid conduit, for example by the use of threadings or other coupling members.  
      It should be understood that the valve members  30 ,  40  are not limited to substantially spherical shapes. Valve members  30 ,  40  may have any suitable shape which provides for proper operation of the valve manifold assembly  10 . For example, valve members  30 ,  40  may alternatively have a cylindrical shape and be rotatable about a longitudinal axis. Further, the shape of the first valve member  30  may differ from the shape of the second valve member  40  in some embodiments.  
      It should also be understood that fittings  12  are not required to be used. For example, in some embodiments, various apertures  28  in the outer casing  20  may be provided with a valve seat, and a valve member  30 ,  40  may abut the apertures  28  and may be contained between wall portions of the outer casing  20 .  
      In some embodiments, some fittings  12  are not required to include a fluid passageway  14 , and therefore may comprise a plug. For example, fitting  12   z  as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprises a plug. A plug may be arranged to engage the outer casing  20  and may include a seat or sealing member  16  which abuts a valve member  30 ,  40 . A plug may be used in locations where the specific embodiment of the valve manifold assembly  10  is not required to include a fluid passageway at the location of the fitting  12 .  
      An actuator  52  may be engaged to the spindle  18  or may otherwise be engaged to the valve members  30 ,  40 . The actuator  52  may control actuation or rotation of the valve members  30 ,  40  through a plurality of stop positions. The actuator  52  and/or the valve members  30 ,  40  may be predisposed to stopping at any or all of the stop positions, for example by the use of a notched detent. In some embodiments, an actuator  52  may comprise a handle which may be operated by a technician. In some embodiments, an actuator  52  may comprise a motor, servomotor or the like, which may be operated by a computer or via an interface. In some embodiments, an interface may include a momentary switch or button for each stop position, and operation of a given momentary switch or button may cause the actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  to assume an appropriate stop position orientation.  
      The first valve member  30  may include a first fluid pathway  32  which may comprise a first inlet traverseport  34  and a first outlet traverseport  36 . The second valve member  40  may include a second fluid pathway  42  which may comprise a second traverseport  44  and a third traverseport  46 .  
      Rotation of the valve members  30 ,  40 , for example via the actuator  52 , will align the various traverseports  34 ,  36 ,  44 ,  46  of the valve members  30 ,  40  with the fluid passageways  14  of various fittings  12  at each desirable stop position as described below.  
      Referring again to  FIG. 1 , with respect to one embodiment of a valve manifold assembly  10 , the pathways provided for fluid flow will be identified individually. In some embodiments, the pathways may be provided through fittings  12 . In some embodiments, for example when fittings  12  are not used, the pathways may be provided through the outer casing  20  or any other suitable portion of the device. The valve manifold assembly  10  may be provided with a first fluid inlet orifice  60 , a second fluid inlet orifice  62 , a third fluid inlet orifice  64 , a fourth fluid inlet orifice  66 , a first fluid outlet orifice  70 , a second fluid outlet orifice  72  and a third fluid outlet orifice  74 .  
      The valve manifold assembly  10  may define a first valve portion  48  and a second valve portion  50 . The first valve portion  48  may comprise the first valve member  30 , and may further include the second fluid inlet orifice  62 , the fourth fluid inlet orifice  66  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 . The fluid orifices  62 ,  66 ,  70  provided for the first valve portion  48  may or may not be in fluid communication with the first fluid pathway  32  of the first valve member  30  at various rotational orientations of the first valve member  30 , as will be described with respect to operation of the valve manifold assembly  10 . The second valve portion  50  may comprise the second valve member  40 , and may further include the first fluid inlet orifice  60 , the third fluid inlet orifice  64 , the second fluid outlet orifice  72  and the third fluid outlet orifice  74 . The fluid orifices  60 ,  64 ,  72 ,  74  provided for the second valve portion  50  may or may not be in fluid communication with the second fluid pathway  42  of the second valve member  40  at various rotational orientations of the second valve member  40 , as will be described with respect to operation of the valve manifold assembly  10 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , the shape and orientation of the first fluid pathway  32  within the first valve member  30  and the second fluid pathway  42  within the second valve member  40  are depicted with respect to one embodiment of the invention. The first fluid pathway  32  may comprise the first inlet traverseport  34  and the first outlet traverseport  36 . The first inlet traverseport  34  may be oriented with a longitudinal axis spanning in the direction of a y-axis as shown on the coordinate axis  26 . The first outlet traverseport  36  may be oriented with a longitudinal axis spanning in the direction of a z-axis. Thus, the first outlet traverseport  36  may be oriented with a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the first inlet traverseport  34 . The second fluid pathway  42  may comprise the second traverseport  44  and the third traverseport  46 . The second traverseport  44  may be oriented with a longitudinal axis spanning in the direction of the y-axis and may be parallel to the first inlet traverseport  34 . The third traverseport  46  may be oriented with a longitudinal axis spanning in the direction of an x-axis of the coordinate axis  26 . Thus, the third traverseport  46  may be oriented with its longitudinal axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the second traverseport  44  and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the first outlet traverseport  36 .  
       FIGS. 5-7  show the orientation of the fluid pathways  32 ,  42  of the valve members  30 ,  40  at various stop positions of the actuator  52 . In a first stop position as depicted in  FIG. 5 , the first inlet traverseport  34  may be aligned with the second fluid inlet orifice  62  and the first outlet traverseport  36  may be aligned with the first fluid outlet orifice  70 . Therefore, the first valve member  30  is oriented to allow fluid communication between the second fluid inlet orifice  62  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 . The second valve member  40  may be oriented to allow fluid communication between the third fluid inlet orifice  64  and the second fluid outlet orifice  72 , as the second traverseport  44  may be aligned with the third fluid inlet orifice  64  and the third traverseport  46  may be aligned with the second fluid outlet orifice  72 .  
       FIG. 6  depicts the orientation of the fluid pathways  32 ,  42  of the valve members  30 ,  40  at a second stop position. The orientation of the valve members  30 ,  40  at the second stop position may be rotated 90° from that of the first stop position. The first inlet traverseport  34  may be aligned with an aperture  28  or orifice  68  that is not used in some embodiments. The first outlet traverseport  36  may be aligned with the first fluid outlet orifice  70 . The second valve member  40  may be oriented to allow fluid communication between the first fluid inlet orifice  60  and the second fluid outlet orifice  72 , as the second traverseport  44  may be aligned with the second fluid outlet orifice  72  and the third traverseport  46  may be aligned with the first fluid inlet orifice  60 .  
       FIG. 7  depicts the orientation of the fluid pathways  32 ,  42  of the valve members  30 ,  40  at a third stop position. The orientation of the valve members  30 ,  40  at the third stop position may be rotated 90° from that of the second stop position and 180° from that of the first stop position. The first valve member  30  may be oriented to allow fluid communication between the fourth fluid inlet orifice  66  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , as the first inlet traverseport  34  may be aligned with the fourth fluid inlet orifice  66  and the first outlet traverseport  36  may be aligned with the first fluid outlet orifice  70 . The second valve member  40  may be oriented to allow fluid communication between the first fluid inlet orifice  60  and the third fluid outlet orifice  74 , as the second traverseport  44  may be aligned with the first fluid inlet orifice  60  and the third traverseport  46  may be aligned with the third fluid outlet orifice  74 .  
      The valve manifold assembly  10  may be used as part of a recovery and reclaim device.  FIG. 4  depicts a recovery and reclaim device  8  which uses an embodiment of the valve manifold assembly  10 . The second fluid inlet orifice  62  may be in fluid communication with a suction bulkhead  80 . The first fluid outlet orifice  70  may be in fluid communication with the intake side of a compressor  82 . The output side of the compressor  82  may be in fluid communication with the third fluid inlet orifice  64 . The first fluid inlet orifice  60  may also be in fluid communication with the output side of the compressor  82 , for example by using a first external fluid conduit  93  and a first T-fitting  92 . The second fluid outlet orifice  72  may be in fluid communication with an input side of a condenser  84 . The fourth fluid inlet orifice  66  may also be in fluid communication with the second fluid outlet orifice  72 , for example by using a second external fluid conduit  95  and a second T-fitting  94 . An output side of the condenser  84  may be in fluid communication with a discharge bulkhead  90 . Preferably, a first check valve  86  may be used between the condenser  84  and the discharge bulkhead  90  which may be oriented to allow flow only from the condenser  84  to the discharge bulkhead  90 . The third fluid outlet orifice  74  may also be placed in fluid communication with the discharge bulkhead  90 , preferably using a second check valve  88  oriented to allow flow only from the third fluid outlet orifice  74  to the discharge bulkhead  90 .  
      In some embodiments, a first pressure equalization orifice  68  may be used. A first pressure equalization orifice  68  may be positioned such that the first pressure equalization orifice  68  is in fluid communication with the first fluid outlet orifice  70  when the first valve member  30  is at the second stop position. The first pressure equalization orifice  68  may be used in conjunction with a Constant Pressure Regulator (CPR) valve  98  installed between the first fluid outlet orifice  70  and the intake side of the compressor  82 . The CPR valve  98  may be arranged to receive refrigerant from the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , flash liquid refrigerant to vapor and regulate the pressure of vapor reaching the compressor  82 . A third external fluid conduit  96  may connect at one end to the first pressure equalization orifice  68  and at the other end to the fluid line running between the CPR valve  98  and the compressor  82 , for example using a third T-fitting  97 . When the first valve member  30  is at the second stop position, pressure on opposite sides of the CPR valve  98  may be equalized.  
      A recovery and reclaim device  8  having an embodiment of the valve manifold assembly  10  may be used to recover refrigerant from a mechanical refrigeration system such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, etc.  FIGS. 5-7  depict an embodiment of a recovery and reclaim device  8  during various stages of a recovery operation. A port of the refrigeration system (not shown) may be connected to the suction bulkhead  80  of the recovery and reclaim device  8 , and a storage device (not shown) may be connected to the discharge bulkhead  90 .  
       FIG. 5  shows the actuator  52  and the fluid pathways  32 ,  42  of the valve members at a first stop position, where the first fluid pathway  32  may connect the second fluid inlet orifice  62  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , and the second fluid pathway  42  may connect the third fluid inlet orifice  64  and the second fluid outlet orifice  72 . The first stop position may be used in a recovery operation, wherein the first valve portion  48  of the valve manifold assembly  10  may place the suction bulkhead  80  in fluid communication with the suction side of the compressor  82 , and the second valve portion  50  of the valve manifold assembly  10  may place the output side of the compressor  82  in fluid communication with the input side of the condenser  84 . Refrigerant may be drawn from the refrigeration system through the suction bulkhead  80 , second fluid inlet orifice  62 , first fluid pathway  32 , first fluid outlet orifice  70 , compressor  82 , third fluid inlet orifice  64 , second fluid pathway  42 , second fluid outlet orifice  72 , condenser  84 , first check valve  86  and dispensed through the discharge bulkhead  90 .  
      After a desired amount of refrigerant has been removed from the refrigeration system during a recovery operation, the recovery and reclaim device  8  may be configured for a stop/prepurge operation as depicted in  FIG. 6 . The actuator  52  and valve members may be oriented in the second stop position, wherein the first fluid pathway  32  may connect the first pressure equalization orifice  68  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , and the second fluid pathway  42  may connect the first fluid inlet orifice  60  and the second fluid outlet orifice  72 . Refrigerant in the recovery and reclaim device  8  may be drawn from the first fluid pathway  32  through the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , compressor  82 , first fluid inlet orifice  60 , second fluid pathway  42 , second fluid outlet orifice  72 , condenser  84 , first check valve  86  and dispensed through the discharge bulkhead  90 .  
      In some embodiments, a CPR valve  98  may be installed between the first fluid outlet orifice  70  and the intake side of the compressor  82 . Preferably, a third external fluid conduit  96  may be used to allow fluid communication between the first pressure equalization orifice  68  and a line between the CPR valve  98  and the compressor  82 . During a stop/prepurge operation, pressure on opposite sides of the CPR valve  98  may be equalized. High pressure remaining between the first fluid outlet orifice  70  and the CPR valve  98  is allowed to pass back through the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , first fluid pathway  32 , first pressure equalization orifice  68 , third external fluid conduit  96  and reach the downstream side of the CPR valve  98  when the first valve member  30  is placed in the second stop position.  
       FIG. 7  shows an embodiment of the valve manifold assembly  10  oriented for a purge operation. The actuator  52  and valve members may be oriented in the third stop position, wherein the first fluid pathway  32  may connect the fourth fluid inlet orifice  66  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , and the second fluid pathway  42  may connect the first fluid inlet orifice  60  and the third fluid outlet orifice  74 . The fluid path provided allows for fluid communication between the first check valve  86 , the condenser  84 , the fourth fluid inlet orifice  66  and the second fluid outlet orifice  72  via the second T-fitting, the first fluid pathway  32 , the first fluid outlet orifice  70 , the compressor  82 , the first fluid inlet orifice  60  and the third fluid inlet orifice  64  via the first T-fitting  92 , the second fluid pathway  42 , the third fluid outlet orifice  74 , the second check valve  74  and the discharge bulkhead  90 .  
      Referring again to  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, a second pressure equalization orifice  69  may be used to equalize pressure in the recovery and reclaim device  8 . For example, in embodiments where a CPR valve  98  and the first pressure equalization orifice  68  are not used, it would be desirable to place the second pressure equalization orifice  69  in fluid communication with the downstream side of the first check valve  86 , for example by using a fourth external fluid conduit  99 . When the actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  are placed into a fourth stop position, the first fluid pathway  32  may allow fluid communication between the second pressure equalization orifice  69  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70 . Pressure on the downstream side of the first check valve  86  may pass through the second pressure equalization orifice  69 , the first fluid pathway  32  and the first fluid outlet orifice  70  to reach the intake side of the compressor  82  and equalize pressures on opposite sides of the compressor  82 .  
      In some embodiments, an actuator  52  and the valve members  30 ,  40  may include a plurality of stop positions. In some embodiments, a first stop position may be oriented 90° of rotation away from a second stop position. A third stop position may be oriented 90° away from the second stop position and 180° away from the first stop position.  
      In some embodiments, the actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  may be continuously rotatable about a full 360° of rotation or more. In some embodiments, the actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  may be rotatable less than 360°. For example, all of the desired stop positions may be included in less than 360° of rotation. From a starting orientation, the actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  may be placed at the first stop position for a recovery operation. The actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  may be rotated in a first direction to the second stop position for a prepurge operation. The actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  may then be rotated in the first direction to the third stop position for a purge operation. The actuator  52  and valve members  30 ,  40  may then be rotated in a second direction back to the starting orientation.  
      In some embodiments, the invention is directed to the following numbered paragraphs. 
      1) A valve manifold assembly comprising: 
        a first valve portion comprising a first valve member having a first fluid pathway, a first valve first fluid inlet, a first valve second fluid inlet and a first valve first fluid outlet;     a second valve portion comprising a second valve member having a second fluid pathway, a second valve first fluid inlet, a second valve second fluid inlet and a second valve first fluid outlet; and     a rotatable spindle coupled to said first valve member and said second valve member, wherein said first valve member and said second valve member rotate with said rotatable spindle;     wherein when the rotatable spindle is at a first rotational orientation, said first fluid pathway allows fluid communication between said first valve first fluid inlet and said first valve first fluid outlet, and said second fluid pathway allows fluid communication between said second valve first fluid inlet and said second valve first fluid outlet; and     wherein when the rotatable spindle is at a second rotational orientation, said second fluid pathway allows fluid communication between said second valve second fluid inlet and said second valve first fluid outlet.    
        2) The valve manifold assembly of paragraph 1, wherein said first rotational orientation and said second rotational orientation are 90° apart.     3) The valve manifold assembly of paragraph 1, wherein when the rotatable spindle is at a second rotational orientation, said first fluid pathway allows fluid communication between a first valve equalization outlet and said first valve first fluid outlet.     4) The valve manifold assembly of paragraph 1, wherein said second valve portion further comprises a second valve second fluid outlet; 
        wherein when the rotatable spindle is at a third rotational orientation, said first fluid pathway allows fluid communication between said first valve second fluid inlet and said first valve first fluid outlet, and said second fluid pathway allows fluid communication between said second valve second fluid inlet and said second valve second fluid outlet.    
        5) The valve manifold assembly of paragraph 4, wherein said second rotational orientation and said third rotational orientation are 90° apart.     6) The valve manifold assembly of paragraph 4, wherein said first rotational orientation and said third rotational orientation are 180° apart.     7) A recovery and reclaim device comprising: 
        an intake port;     a discharge port;     a compressor;     a condenser; and     a valve manifold assembly comprising a first valve portion, a second valve portion and a rotatable spindle, the first valve portion having a first rotatable valve member, the second valve portion having a second valve member, said first valve member and said second valve member coupled to and arranged to rotate with said rotatable spindle;     wherein when said rotatable spindle is at a first rotational orientation, said first valve portion allows fluid communication between said intake port and said compressor, and said second valve portion allows fluid communication between said compressor and said condenser.    
        8) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 7, wherein when said rotatable spindle is at a second rotational orientation, said intake port is not in fluid communication with said compressor.     9) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 8, wherein when said rotatable spindle is at a second rotational orientation, said second valve portion allows fluid communication between said compressor and said condenser.     10) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 9, wherein said second valve portion further comprises a first fluid inlet, a second fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein when said rotatable spindle is at a first rotational orientation, said second valve member allows fluid communication between said first fluid inlet and said first fluid outlet.     11) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 10, wherein when said rotatable spindle is at a second rotational orientation, said second valve member allows fluid communication between said second fluid inlet and said first fluid outlet.     12) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 8, wherein said first rotational orientation and said second rotational orientation are 90° apart.     13) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 8, wherein when said rotatable spindle is at a third rotational orientation, said first valve portion allows fluid communication between said condenser and said compressor, and said second valve portion allows fluid communication between said compressor and said discharge port.     14) The recovery and reclaim device of paragraph 13, wherein said second rotational orientation and said third rotational orientation are 90° apart.     15) The valve manifold assembly of paragraph 14, wherein said first rotational orientation and said third rotational orientation are 180° apart.     16) A method of recovering refrigerant comprising: 
        providing a recovery and reclaim device comprising an intake port; a discharge port; a compressor; a condenser; and a valve manifold assembly comprising a first valve portion, a second valve portion and a rotatable spindle, the first valve portion having a first rotatable valve member, the second valve portion having a second valve member, said first valve member and said second valve member coupled to and arranged to rotate with said rotatable spindle;     connecting a fluid port of an external device having refrigerant to said intake port;     connecting said discharge port to a storage device;     placing said rotatable spindle at a first stop position wherein said first valve portion allows fluid communication between said intake port and said compressor, and said second valve portion allows fluid communication between said compressor and said condenser; and     operating said recovery and reclaim device to move refrigerant from said external device to said storage device.    
        17) The method of paragraph 16, further comprising the step of placing said rotatable spindle at a second stop position wherein said intake port is not in fluid communication with said compressor.     18) The method of paragraph 17, further comprising the step of placing said rotatable spindle at a third stop position wherein said first valve portion allows fluid communication between said condenser and said compressor, and said second valve portion allows fluid communication between said compressor and said discharge port.    

      The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this field of art. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.  
      Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim  1  should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.  
      This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.