Patent ID: 7175769

Claim:
A method of filtering entrained debris from the refrigerant of a refrigerant system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a refrigerant system comprising a high pressure side including a compressor, a condenser and a flow reducing device; (b) providing a refrigerant filtration apparatus comprising: a filtration housing having an inlet port and an outlet port, each port adapted for connection to a refrigerant system; a primary circuit passage defined in the filtration housing and selectably providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, the primary circuit passage comprising: a primary filter channel; and a primary filter disposed in the primary filter channel and adapted to filter debris from refrigerant flowed through the primary filter channel; a secondary circuit passage defined in the filtration housing and selectably fluid providing communication between the inlet port and the outlet port, the secondary circuit passage comprising: a secondary filter channel; and a diverter means disposed within the filtration housing and operably adapted to selectively direct refrigerant flow through either the primary circuit passage or the secondary circuit passage; (c) installing the refrigerant filtration apparatus in the refrigerant system high pressure side; (d) operating the diverter means so as to direct refrigerant flow to the primary circuit passage; (e) operating the refrigerant system until a shifting parameter is obtained; and (f) operating the diverter means so as to direct refrigerant flow to the secondary circuit passage.