Abstract:
An apparatus for safely and efficiently purging refrigerant lines interconnected with residential and light commercial air conditioning systems. Enhanced safety is achieved by enabling the operator to conduct purge operations away from enclosed areas such as attics and crawlspaces. Efficient use of solvent is achieved by simultaneously connecting a refrigerant line connector to the evaporator end of both suction line and liquid line and discharging solvent and compressed gas through a solvent bridge connected to the compressor end of the liquid line. Thorough contaminant removal enables retrofitting air conditioning systems for use with newer, legally required refrigerants.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority based upon Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/979,006 filed Oct. 10, 2007. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a refrigerant line apparatus, and more particularly relates to an apparatus for purging refrigerant piping or tubing interconnected with residential and light commercial air conditioning systems, preparatory to replacing refrigerant flowing through such refrigerant piping or tubing. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     As is well known in the art, a conventional air conditioning system includes a pair of refrigerant flow lines comprising a plurality of pipe, commonly called “liquid lines” and “suction lines.” Throughout air conditioning systems, suction lines transport evaporated refrigerant and liquid lines transport liquified refrigerant. It is commonplace in the art for practitioners to use copper pipe to implement liquid lines and suction lines for transporting liquid refrigerant such as R-22. 
     R-22 refrigerant, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, must be replaced with the more environmentally-friendly R-410A refrigerant by the Jan. 1, 2010 deadline. R-410A consists of a mixture of difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane. Accordingly, as of Jan. 1, 2010 air conditioning equipment designed to accommodate R-22 will no longer be produced. 
     Nevertheless, thousands—if not millions—of residential and light commercial air conditioning systems installed prior to Jan. 1, 2010 will still operate based upon R-22. Unfortunately, since R-22 is incompatible with R-410A, such preexisting air conditioning systems must be completely purged of any R-22 before the systems are converted to a R-410A basis. 
     Of course, one approach for converting existing air conditioning systems for use with newer but incompatible refrigerants is to completely replace the existing refrigerant flow lines, typically comprising copper piping. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, conversion old R-22 refrigerant lines to new R-410A refrigerant lines tends to be cost-prohibitive due to the relatively high price of copper and to the implicated construction costs. 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, another approach for replacing one refrigerant with another incompatible refrigerant is to flush or purge plurality of copper lines with suitable commercial solvent. Such a flush procedure should be implemented in such a manner to assure removal of all contaminants, thereby rendering the pipelines suitable for use with selected or government-mandated new refrigerants. The present invention teaches an apparatus and associated methodology for safely, efficiently, and expeditiously purging refrigerant lines associated with residential and light commercial air conditioning system, thereby eliminating the necessity to wholly replace the preexisting plurality of copper lines. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus and concomitant methodology for safely and efficiently purging existing refrigerant from refrigerant pipe lines and/or tubing lines of residential and light commercial air conditioning systems. As will become evident to those skilled in the art, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may be advantageously invoked preparatory to replacing existing refrigerant with newer, environmentally-acceptable, and government-approved refrigerants. 
     As will be hereinafter described, the preferred embodiment comprises two primary members: a refrigerant line connector and a solvent bridge. The refrigerant line connector enables quick connection of the liquid line to the suction line. The solvent bridge simultaneously connects each of a cannister of solvent, preferably a commercial solvent, and a tank of pressurized nitrogen gas to one end of the liquid line. After each of the refrigerant line connector and the solvent bridge are joined to a set of refrigerant lines, the remaining free end of the suction line functions as the exclusive only available point of discharge for both solvent and nitrogen gas. 
     It is a feature and advantage of embodiments of the present invention that both refrigerant suction line and refrigerant liquid line may be purged simultaneously. 
     It is an object of the present invention to minimize labor and material costs associated with replacing refrigerants in existing air conditioner equipment manifest in residential and light commercial air conditioning systems. 
     It is another object of the present invention to minimize health risks associated with using hazardous solvents in enclosed spaces such as attics and crawlspaces. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following specifications and accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like components. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of a canister containing solvent and accompanying injection tool. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a frontal perspective view of a refrigerant line connector apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a frontal perspective view of a solvent bridge of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flow diagram of the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , illustrating joinder of refrigerant line connector and the solvent bridge embodiments of the present invention with refrigerant lines of a conventional air conditioning system. 
         FIG. 5  depicts a front view of an alternate embodiment of the refrigerant line connector apparatus depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a front view of an alternate embodiment of the solvent bridge depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7  depicts a photographic image of the refrigerant line connector depicted in 
         FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  depicts a close-up view of the refrigerant line connector depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  depicts a photographic image of the solvent bridge depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10  depicts a close-up view of the solvent bridge depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11  depicts a close-up photographic image of a portion of the solvent bridge depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 12  depicts a photographic image of a portion of the solvent bridge depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is made herein to the figures in the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like components. Now referring to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a commercial air conditioning and refrigeration flushing solvent contained in cannister  10  with accompanying injection tool  20 . As should be evident to those skilled in the art, injection tool  20  is invoked to introduce flushing solvent contained within cannister  10  throughout the refrigerant lines of a residential or light commercial air conditioning system. Conventional techniques teach that, preparatory to flushing solvent, each refrigerant line is disconnected from mechanical components; threaded connector  24  of injection tool  20  is inserted into discharge port  12  disposed atop of cannister  10  and releasably mounted to one end of a single refrigerant line; the other end of the refrigerant line remains open to establish an exit-point for contaminants and flushing solvent. Flow valve  22  is rotated to release flushing solvent through casing  26  and then through the releasably mounted refrigerant line. As used herein, cannister refers to a container which is discarded upon depletion of pressurized solvent contained therein, whereas tank refers to a reusable container configured for repeated filling and discharging of pressurized gas. 
     As is known to those practiced in the art, purging single refrigerant lines often requires discharging of hazardous solvents while operating in enclosed environments such as attics or crawlspaces. Departing from such conventional techniques, embodiments of the present invention purge multiple refrigerant lines simultaneously, thereby allowing rapid and successive introduction of both flushing solvent and nitrogen gas. This simultaneous purging of multiple refrigerant lines enables an operator to safely perform refrigerant line purging even within enclosed spaces notwithstanding restrictive dissipation of toxic chemical fumes and subjecting occupants to dangerously high temperatures. The present invention contemplates use of hydrochlorofluorocarbon resistant materials such as plastic, synthetic rubber, or metal, in the construction of hoses and apparatus elements, thereby minimizing the introduction of additional contaminants into the respective refrigerant lines. Additionally, each member of the present invention is constructed so as to withstand internal pressures comparable to the burst point pressure of typical refrigerant lines. The burst point being defined as the internal pressure at which the structural integrity of a refrigerant line is compromised and liquids or gases are released into the surrounding environment. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 , and  8 , there is depicted a frontal perspective view of refrigerant line connector  30  of the preferred embodiment. As is known by those skilled in the art, a conventional air conditioning system comprises both liquid and suction lines. The liquid line transports liquified refrigerant, while the suction line transports evaporated refrigerant. Refrigerant line connector  30  functions as a joinder between the liquid line and suction line of a conventional air conditioning system. Following disconnection of the suction line and/or liquid line from condensers, evaporators or like mechanical components, suction line connection hose  80  is snugly fitted over the end of the refrigeration suction line located within a building or structure, and then releasably mounted upon the refrigerant suction line by tightening ring clamp  90 B. Similarly, liquid line connection hose  40  is snugly fitted over the end of the refrigerant liquid line located within a building or structure, and then releasably mounted upon the refrigerant liquid line by tightening ring clamp  50 B. The present invention contemplates connection hoses  40  and  80  as being composed of a hydrochlorofluorocarbon resistant material such as plastic or synthetic rubber. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, use of detachable connection hoses or tubing, as contemplated herein, permits connection of embodiments of the present invention with a wide array of variably-sized refrigerant lines. Still referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  7 , and  8 , refrigerant line connector  70  completes the joinder between connection hoses  40  and  80 , respectively, allowing liquids and gases to flow freely between the liquid line and suction line. Connection hoses  40  and  80  are releasably mounted to refrigerant line connector  70  by adjusting ring clamps  50 A and  90 A, respectively. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5 , there is depicted an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein mechanical interconnections between refrigerant line connector  70  and connection hoses  40  and  80 , respectively, are achieved with threaded male and female tube adapters  50 A and  90 A. It will be understood that these corresponding threaded male and female tube adapters  50 A and  90 A are invoked in lieu of ring clamps. Nevertheless, it should be clearly understood that, in addition to ring clamps and nozzle tube adapters, the present invention contemplates any suitably effective means of achieving mechanical interconnection between refrigerant line connector  70  and connection hoses  40  and  80 , respectively. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  9 , and  10 , there is depicted a frontal perspective view of the preferred embodiment of solvent bridge  100 . Liquid line connection hose  120  is fitted over the remaining free end of the refrigerant liquid line and releasably mounted by tightening ring clamp  110 A. Liquid line connection hose  120  is fitted to one end of solvent connector  130  and releasably mounted by tightening ring clamp  1108 . Similarly, solvent connection hose  160  is fitted over another end of solvent connector  130  and releasably mounted by tightening ring clamp  150 A. Solvent hose extension  170  is releasably mounted to solvent connection hose  160  by adjusting ring clamp  150 B, in a manner well known in the art. Still referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  9 , and  10 , there is depicted nitrogen hose connector  140  releasably mounted to solvent connector  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  11 , and  12 , there is depicted an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein nozzle tube adapters are used to achieve mechanical interconnections between solvent bridge  100  and liquid line connection hose  120 , solvent connection hose  160 , and nitrogen hose  180 , respectively. The remaining ends of solvent connection hose  160  and nitrogen hose  180  are similarly configured with nozzle tube adapter. Specifically, in  FIGS. 11 and 12  there is shown a photographic depiction of nitrogen tank connector  190 , comprising coupling  192  and nozzle  194 , releasably mounted to nitrogen hose  180 . In addition to ring clamps and nozzle tube adapters, embodiments of the present invention may be configured with other similarly effective means of achieving a mechanical connection between solvent bridge  100  and solvent connection hose  160  and nitrogen hose  180 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is depicted a flow diagram of the preferred embodiment. It will be seen that the flow of material is from the left-side to the right-side of the diagram. Nitrogen tank  200  and solvent cannister  10  are concurrently attached to solvent bridge  100 . Solvent cannister  10  is discharged by opening injector  20 , for allowing the solvent to travel through solvent bridge  100 , through liquid line  210 , through refrigerant line connector  30 , and then through suction line  220  where the solvent discharges into discharge receptacle  230 . Pressurized nitrogen gas is released from nitrogen tank  200  following an identical path thereby removing residual solvent and contaminants. The purged copper lines are now ready for service with new refrigerants; replacement lines have been rendered unnecessary. 
     The following is a tabulation of the components depicted in the drawings: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Components List 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 # 
                 Component 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 10 
                 Solvent 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 Discharge Port 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 Injection Tool 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Flow Valve 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 Threaded Connector 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 Casing 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 Refrigerant Line Connector 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Liquid Line Connection Hose 
               
               
                   
                 50A,B 
                 Liquid Line Ring Clamps 
               
               
                   
                 70 
                 Refrigerant Line Connector (Suction/Liquid) 
               
               
                   
                 80 
                 Suction Line Connection Hose 
               
               
                   
                 90A,B 
                 Suction Line Ring Clamps 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 Solvent Bridge 
               
               
                   
                 110A,B 
                 Liquid Line Ring Clamps (solvent side) 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 Liquid Line Connection Hose (solvent side) 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 Solvent Connector (Solvent/Nitrogen) 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 Nitrogen Hose Connector 
               
               
                   
                 150A,B 
                 Solvent Ring Clamps 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                 Solvent Connection Hose 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 Solvent Hose Extension 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 Nitrogen Hose 
               
               
                   
                 190 
                 Nitrogen Tank Connector 
               
               
                   
                 192 
                 Coupling 
               
               
                   
                 194 
                 Nozzle 
               
               
                   
                 200 
                 Nitrogen Tank 
               
               
                   
                 210 
                 Suction Line 
               
               
                   
                 220 
                 Liquid Line 
               
               
                   
                 230 
                 Discharge Receptacle 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Other variations and modifications will, of course, become apparent from a consideration of the structures and techniques hereinbefore described and depicted. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that the present invention is not intended to be limited by the particular features and structures hereinbefore described and depicted in the accompanying drawings, but that the present invention is to be measured by the scope of the claims appended hereto.