Patent ID: 7114344

Claim:
An air conditioner access fitting comprising: a valve body comprising a threaded bore and an annular valve seat extending around the bore, the valve body configured and the valve seat positioned such that all fluid that passes through the bore crosses the valve seat; a twist-to-open valve disposed in the bore and threadedly engaged with the valve body, the valve comprising a second bore in fluid communication with the valve seat and a valve element configured to form a polymer-to-metal seal with the valve seat, the polymer-to-metal seal stopping substantially all fluid flow through the bore and the flow path when the twist-to-open valve is closed; a valve core disposed in the second bore and operative selectively to open and close a flow path extending through the second bore, the valve core including a receptacle opposite the valve element, the receptacle for receiving a fitting to open the polymer-to-metal seal; and the valve body further comprising a quick-connect shoulder disposed around the bore.