Patent ID: 6926048

Claim:
An apparatus for use with a charging system and a pressurized system for urging fluid from the charging system into the pressurized system, the charging system initially containing the fluid held under pressure, the charging system having a first pressure-actuated valve assembly, the first valve assembly having a first valve and a rigid discharge tube connected to the first valve, the discharge tube being retractable to actuate the first valve to release the fluid from the charging system, the pressurized system having a fitting and a second pressure-actuated valve assembly mounted within the fitting, the second valve assembly having a second valve and a pin connected to the second valve, the pin being retractable to actuate the second valve to allow entry of the fluid into the pressurized system, the apparatus comprising: a rigid body with a longitudinal axis having a first end about the axis for connecting the body to the charging system and a second end about the axis for connecting the body to the fitting of the pressurized system; the body being generally cylindrical about the axis; the body having an inner surface defining a conduit within the body; the conduit extending between the first and the second ends for fluid communication therebetween; the conduit at the first end being adapted to receive the discharge tube of the first valve assembly; the inner surface of the body being adapted to sealingly engage the discharge tube, and to stop the discharge tube in the conduit such that when the charging system is mated to the body the discharge tube is urged against the inner surface of the body thereby causing retraction of the discharge tube; a rigid depressor for urging the pin to retract when the pressurized system is mated to the body; the depressor being mounted to the second end of the body clear of the conduit; and a resilient seal for discouraging leakage of fluid between the body and the fitting of the pressurized system; the seal being mounted to the body about the axis, wherein the body has a circumferential groove defined therein for locating the seal; the groove being disposed between the first end and the second end of the body; the seal being seated within the groove.