Patent ID: 6848670

Claim:
An access port to allow fluid communication with an air conditioning or refrigeration system during manufacture and in-field service, the access port comprising a process port and an adapter removeably connected to the process port, the process port including a valve core with a valve normally biased into a closed position preventing fluid flow through the access port, and the adapter including a depressor slidably supported within a central duct of the adapter, wherein the depressor is moved into engagement with the valve upon connection of an external process conduit to the adapter, to move the valve into an open position and allow fluid flow through the access port, wherein the process port includes a quick connect and disconnect feature to allow the process port to be connected to a female coupling for in-plant evacuation, charging and testing of the system, and wherein a metal-to-metal seal is provided between the adapter and the process port to prevent fluid leakage therebetween without an O-ring sealing device, the adapter including an annular edge which engages an internal frustoconical end surface of the process port.