Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit includes a refrigerant storage unit, a refrigerant circuit, a processor, and a memory. The refrigerant storage unit is configured to store a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit is in fluid connection with refrigeration system. The refrigerant circuit is configured to recover refrigerant from the refrigeration system and recharge the refrigeration system with the refrigerant. The processor is configured to control the refrigerant recovery unit and the processor is configured to control a fan. The fan is configured to provide a flow of air to the refrigeration system. The memory is to store diagnostic software and operating software to operate the refrigerant recovery unit.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system includes a refrigerant storage unit, a refrigerant charge path, a flushing path, a processor, and a memory. The refrigerant storage unit is configured to store a refrigerant. The refrigerant charge path is configured to convey the refrigerant to a refrigeration system to recharge the refrigeration system with the refrigerant. The refrigerant charge path includes a first and second service coupler and a first and second service hose. The service hoses are in fluid communication with the respective service couplers. The flushing path is configured to receive a flow of refrigerant for flushing the refrigeration charge path. The flushing path includes a first and second flushing coupler. The processor is configured to control the refrigerant recovery system to provide a flow of the refrigerant from the storage unit, through the refrigerant charge path, and to the flushing path.

Abstract: A service hose includes a service coupler and a check valve assembly. The service coupler is configured to fluidly connect the service hose to a refrigeration system. The check valve assembly is disposed proximal to the service coupler and includes a recovery and a recharge flow path. The recovery flow path is defined by a flow of a refrigerant from the refrigeration system and flows along a first bore disposed in a body having a recovery poppet. The recharge flow path is defined by a flow of the refrigerant to the refrigeration system and flows along a second bore disposed in the body, a recharge poppet, and a biasing member. The check valve assembly is configured to provide a substantially free flow of refrigerant along the recovery flow path and also configured to provide a predetermined cracking pressure in response to the refrigerant being urged to flow along the recharge flow path.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery machine includes two opposed and off-set pistons. The pistons are received in cylinders that are able to move depending on the alignment of the pistons.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery system includes a recovery apparatus and a refrigerant recovery unit. The recovery apparatus includes a heat sink, a capture tank, and a hose. The capture tank is in thermal contact with the heat sink. The capture tank is configured to capture a first refrigerant from a refrigeration system. The hose is to fluidly connect the capture tank to the refrigerant system. The refrigerant recovery unit includes a refrigerant storage unit, a refrigerant circuit, a processor and a memory. The refrigerant storage unit is configured to store a second refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit is in fluid connection with the heat sink. The refrigerant circuit is configured to circulate the second refrigerant through the heat sink, a compressor, and a condenser. The processor is configured to control the refrigerant recovery unit. The memory is to store diagnostic software and operating software to operate the refrigerant recovery unit.

Abstract: A system and methods associated therewith for providing a load controller for a refrigerant recovery unit are disclosed. The load controller can be controlled to operate when the current drawn by the motor increases due to pressure changes caused by abnormal refrigerant flow or during activation of the motor in order to lower the pressure. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the load controller can lower the pressure by recirculating some of the pressure load through the opening of a compressor bypass loop line. In some embodiments, the current/pressure load may be monitored during the operation of the refrigerant recovery unit and set to act as an emergency shut off and alert system to the user when the system malfunctions.

Abstract: A multi-output power supply comprises an input power port for receiving input power, a first output power port supplying a first voltage derived from the input power, a second output power port supplying a second voltage derived from the input power, and a shut-down circuit configured to shut down the first output power port, independently of the second output power port, if power drawn from the first output power port exceeds a first predetermined value.

Abstract: A portable recovery unit for automatically filling a background tank of blended refrigerant includes a main tank for holding recovered refrigerant from a vehicle A/C system which has a first chemical composition, and an auxiliary tank for holding an auxiliary supply of fresh refrigerant which has a second refrigerant composition. The auxiliary tank is arranged in fluid communication with the main tank so that fluid can be transferred from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. An electronic controller controls the flow of fluid from the auxiliary tank to the main tank. A refrigerant identifier is coupled to the main tank to sample and analyze the refrigerant in the main tank in order to determine the chemical composition of the refrigerant in the main tank, so the refrigerant in the main tank can be purified to an acceptable level based on that analysis.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can recover and recharge refrigerant. The unit is further configured with a pair of service hoses and a refrigerant control circuit operable to receive and transport the refrigerant between the hoses and the storage vessel and to process the refrigerant to substantially remove contaminants from the refrigerant. A fluid connector is provided in fluid communication with the hoses to enable the refrigerant to flow between the hoses and to establish a closed loop through the refrigerant control circuit, and a controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant control circuit and configured to control a flow of the refrigerant through the refrigerant control circuit and through the fluid connector.

Abstract: A method of charging or recharging an air conditioning wherein an initial amount of refrigerant is introduced, followed by additional introductions of refrigerant during injection pulses. The pulse periods are adjusted dynamically during the charging/recharging process based on feedback obtained after each pulse related to how much refrigerant was transferred during the previous pulse. Also, a system for implementing the above-mentioned method.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that is capable of communicating with a vehicle diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool can retrieve vehicle information, such as vehicle identifying information or vehicle diagnostic information. The refrigerant recovery unit can diagnose the vehicle and provide fixes to the user using the database stored therein or from a remote location. The refrigerant recovery unit includes various hardware and software to communicate with electronic control units in the vehicle.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit is provided that can clear oil from an oil inject path in order to prepare the unit to switch over to a different kind of oil. The refrigerant recovery unit includes an oil inject circuit that receives an oil from the oil bottle into the refrigerant system. The refrigerant recovery circuit is coupled in fluid communication with the oil inject circuit. The refrigerant recovery circuit is operable to receive and transfer a fluid drawn through the oil inject circuit. A controller is operatively connected to the refrigerant recovery circuit and to the oil inject circuit so that as the fluid is drawn through the oil inject circuit a quantity of the oil in the oil inject circuit is removed.

Abstract: Refrigerant processing equipment is provided. The refrigerant processing equipment may include: a vacuum pump; an outlet for draining vacuum pump lubricating oil from the vacuum pump; a fluid container; and a conduit configured to provide a fluid connection between the outlet and the container. A method for draining oil from a vacuum pump from refrigerant processing equipment is provided. The method may include connecting an outlet for oil on the vacuum pump with a container; and providing a valve between the outlet and the container to selectively provide fluid communication between the outlet and an the container.

Abstract: A method for converting a refrigerant recovery unit from use with a first refrigerant to use with a second refrigerant includes the steps of opening, with a controller, solenoids along a refrigerant path to remove residue of the first refrigerant into a holding vessel, operating a vacuum pump, as indicated by the controller, to further remove the residue of the first refrigerant from the refrigerant path, introducing, via the controller, an amount of the second refrigerant into the refrigerant path, determining, with a refrigerant identifier, a purity of the second refrigerant in the refrigerant path. A kit is also provided to convert the refrigerant recovery unit for use with the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of purging air from a tank includes opening, with a controller, a purging orifice on the tank to release a gas mixture contained within the tank, operating a timer to track multiple time intervals during which the purging orifice is open, each time interval having a beginning time and an ending time, determining an initial value of a system variable at each beginning time and a subsequent value of the system variable at each ending time, deriving a characteristic value of the gas mixture based on a change in the system variable from the initial value to the subsequent value measured over each time interval, and closing, with the controller, the purging orifice if a rate of change of the characteristic value over sequential time intervals is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold rate of change value.

Abstract: A refrigerant recovery unit that diverts blended refrigerant withdrawn out of a refrigerant system to an external tank outside the refrigerant recovery unit for reclamation includes a recovery circuit coupled on one end to the refrigerant system and coupled on another end to the external tank, a controller in communication with the recovery circuit for controlling a transfer of the refrigerant withdrawn from the refrigerant system to the external tank, and a valve operatively engaged with the controller and the recovery circuit and operable to transfer the refrigerant withdrawn from the refrigerant system to the external tank for recycling or reclamation.

Abstract: A method of adding refrigerant to an air conditioning system. The method includes measuring a first pressure inside of the air conditioning system and a second pressure inside of a container that holds refrigerant being added to the air conditioning system. The method also includes comparing the difference between the two measured pressures to empirical data in order to determine how long to pulse additional refrigerant into the air conditioning system. In addition, an apparatus configured to add refrigerant to an air conditioning system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are developed to improve accuracy of diagnostic tests for A/C systems. In particular, a refrigerant recovery unit may have its hoses pre-charged with a refrigerant to a predetermined pressure or amount before performing the diagnostic tests on the A/C system of the vehicle. For example, a predetermine amount of refrigerant may be injected into the hoses of the refrigerant recovery unit to pre-charge them. The pre-charged hoses of the refrigerant recovery unit may prevent a refrigerant flow from the A/C system to the hoses connected thereto before the diagnostic tests are implemented and thus, improve the accuracy of the diagnostic tests.

Abstract: A system for cooling a heat source includes a fluid heat exchanger, a pump, a thermoelectric device and a heat rejector. The thermoelectric device includes a cooling portion and a heating portion. The heat rejector is configured to be in thermal contact with at least a portion of the heating portion of the thermoelectric device. The pump is coupled with the fluid heat exchanger and configured to pass a fluid therethrough. The thermoelectric device is configured along with the heat exchanger in the cooling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for automated control of A/C service tools for use during A/C servicing tasks. The apparatus including hardware and software to run the automation programs, connectors to connect with the service tools to allow passage of vapors and liquids between the service tools and the A/C system, and power ports to plug the service tools into the apparatus so that it may control the power to the service tools. Further, the apparatus may include sensors and valves so that it might sense pressure within a system of connected service tools and the A/C system, and so that it might be able to control the flow of vapors and liquids between components of the system based on the automation programs and the readings from the sensors.