Abstract: A service connection valve that is configured for use on air conditioning and refrigeration units. The valve includes a pin guide that is separate from the poppet assembly and installed in the valve body prior to installation of the poppet assembly. In addition, the pin guide can be disposed in a large diameter flow passageway of the valve body. Further, the poppet assembly includes a seal that expands in diameter upon installing the poppet assembly into the valve body. The service connection valve provides high flow rates during charging and evacuation operations.

Abstract: A service connection valve that is configured for use on air conditioning and refrigeration units. The valve includes a pin guide that is separate from the poppet assembly and installed in the valve body prior to installation of the poppet assembly. In addition, the pin guide can be disposed in a large diameter flow passageway of the valve body. Further, the poppet assembly includes a seal that expands in diameter upon installing the poppet assembly into the valve body. The service connection valve provides high flow rates during charging and evacuation operations.

Abstract: A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies.

Abstract: A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies.

Abstract: A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies.

Abstract: Improved latching connectors that can be used to connect a fluid system, such as manufacturing, test, or processing equipment, to an external system, for example charging, evacuation and/or testing equipment. In one embodiment, the connector includes elements by which to protect connector seals from being exposed to fluid being transferred, thereby lengthening the lifetime and reliability of the connector. In another embodiment, the male connector portion and the female connector portion are both valved in a normally closed position. The connector is designed to achieve connection of the male portion to the female portion, and sealing between the male portion and the female portion, prior to the valves in each connector portion being opened and fluid flowing through the connector. The latching connector includes a pressure locking sleeve that, once the connector is under pressure, locks the connector to prevent accidental disconnection.

Abstract: A service valve assembly that is designed to minimize leakage by reducing the number of leakage paths from the valve assembly. In addition, the service valve assembly is designed to permit connection to many different refrigeration systems and has higher flow capacity. The valve assembly is engageable by current servicing tools so that purchase of new service tools is not required. In the valve assembly, the service connection is designed as part of the shut-off valve and communicates with the condenser side port. Therefore, initial processing through the condenser side port and subsequent processing through the evaporation side port occur through the combined service connection and shut-off valve structure. Once installed, the described valve assembly has one leak path versus two leak paths in known valve assemblies.

Abstract: Improved latching connectors that can be used to connect a fluid system, such as manufacturing, test, or processing equipment, to an external system, for example charging, evacuation and/or testing equipment. In one embodiment, the connector includes elements by which to protect connector seals from being exposed to fluid being transferred, thereby lengthening the lifetime and reliability of the connector. In another embodiment, the male connector portion and the female connector portion are both valved in a normally closed position. The connector is designed to achieve connection of the male portion to the female portion, and sealing between the male portion and the female portion, prior to the valves in each connector portion being opened and fluid flowing through the connector. The latching connector includes a pressure locking sleeve that, once the connector is under pressure, locks the connector to prevent accidental disconnection.

Abstract: A system for performing rapid charging and evacuation of systems that contain a fluid, such as cooling systems on refrigeration products. In addition, the invention relates to methods of accomplishing rapid charging and evacuation, as well as to tools that form part of the system and that are used to accomplish the methods.